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Come with us on this amazing journey and walk through the Villandry gardens, admire the Azay-le-Rideau castle but also the Fontevraud abbey with its medieval architecture. More impressive yet, the royal fortress of Chinon which overlooks the city, which is classified as a City of Art and History. Stroll about Montsoreau, one of the most beautiful villages of France and at the heart of the Natural Parc Loire Anjou Touraine, learn and taste various wines from the area with Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine’s delicious goat cheese. Last but not least is a very special visit to, Saumur, the city of the French National Riding School named the « Cadre Noir » where we will watch at a riding demonstration.
LOIRE CASTLES & LOIRE VALLEY HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDES : SEE ALL OUR RIDES:
RANDONNEE A CHEVAL CHATEAUX DE LA LOIRE
PROGRAMME INDICATIF *
Day 1: Riders with their own vehicle are welcome to arrive in the afternoon at the hotel in Chenonceau. For the others, late afternoon arrival at Chenonceau train station.
Day 2: After introductions and assignment of the horses, we leave the “Pierres d’Aurèle” to ride to Montpoupon Castle, where we have our picnic. We enjoy the time to visit of this fortress from the Middle Ages and its hunting museum, a testimony of the gentlemen's way of life before getting back on the road to Reignac-sur-Indre,. Overnight stop for the horses . Dinner and night at Le Manoir de Chaix in Truyes
Day 3: Leaving Reignac-sur-Indre, we ride across the valley of the Indre River to reach our picnic spot in Cormery, a carolingian city with its famous abbey founded by ITHIER, abbot of Saint-Martin de Tours. We enjoy a visit of the abbey after lunch before heading on , going through villages and typical landscapes of the area to finally stop in Truyes. Dinner and night at Le Manoir de Chaix in Truyes.
Day 4: Transfer to the horses in the morning. Visit of the Villandry castle before lunch. The Villandry castle, completed in 1536, is one of the last castles built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. The last owners rehabilitated the grounds as they were originally and therefore the magnificent gardens are really a must-see. After the picnic, we leave Villandry to ride across forests and vineyards to get to Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre during the reign of François 1er (between 1518 and 1528), it still has a remarkable unity of style. Dinner and night at the Hôtel des Chateaux in Azay-le-Rideau.
Day 5: Visit of Azay-le-Rideau Castle in the morning. Leaving Azay-le-Rideau behind us, we ride in the middle of the Natural Parc of Loire Anjou-Touraine to reach our picnic spot in St Benoit-La-Forêt. After lunch, we head towards Chinon, a city overlooked by its medieval castle which is an approuved City of Art and History with its beautifully preserved historical center. Dinner and night at the Hôtel Le Plantagenet in Chinon.
Day 6: In the morning, visit and presentation of the Cadre Noir in Saumur: discovery of the work of the young jumping horses and the young horses of manège, the training with the obstacles and the long reins, and the principles of academic riding. Lunch on the spot. As the starting point for the Saint Jacob of Compostella pilgrimage, the Touraine has many impressive religious buildings. Riding along the Vienne, we stop and visit at Fontevraud Royal Abbey. From the 12th to the 18th cent, 36 prioresses looked after this fabulous momument, where many Plantagenet funeral tombs are being kept. Dinner and night at the hotel La Croix Blanche in Fontevraud-L’Abbaye.
Day 7: After breakfast, enjoy a visit of the Abbey. Then, we ride to Montsoreau, classified "one of the most beautiful village of France" and a UNESCO world heritage site. There we’ll enjoy its castle, wines, mills, caves or even a mushroom farm. We then go to Turquant, village with colourful alleys in a typical valley of the Saumuroise coast. We enjoy the banks of the Loire for long gallops. Dinner and night at the hotel La Croix Blanche in Fontevraud -l’Abbaye.
Day 8: End of your Loire châteaux horseback ride. After breakfast, transfer to Saumur station.
* Programme indicatif pouvant être sujet à modifications en cas de nécessité.
End of afternoon directly at the hotel in Chenonceau or transfer from Chenonceau train station (20 € per person).
Morning after breakfast in Fontevreaux, transfer to Saumur train station (20 € per person).
RIDING LEVEL: 
Being comfortable at three gaits (walking, trotting, galloping) outdoors in good physical condition, if possible having hiking experience of several days. Riders who by their initiative request not to ride during the stay will be charged 300 euros for the transport of the horse. Maximum weight: 95k.
5 to 10 riders + guide.
Professional licensed equestrian guide, English / German / Dutch / Spanish speaking translator.
Mostly mixed Arabain horses. All trail ride professionals.
Comfortable trail ride saddles with saddle bags.
ACCOMMODATION: 
Comfortable hotels and guesthouses, 2-3 person bedrooms. Single bedroom available with supplement.
Dinners at the guesthouses or restaurants. Lunches prepared by an assistant following the ride with a minibus and preparing nice tables at picnic places.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
Provided by an assistant with a minibus.
2021 PRICE / PER PERSON:
1945 € in 2 person bedroom
Single bedroom supplement: 390 €
Transfers from Chenonceaux (arrival) and Saumur (departure) train stations: 20 € / person / each way to be paid directly
Registration fees: 15 €
Horse and tack rental, guide, assistant, accommodation, all meals, drinks at lunches only (not dinners and out of lunches), financial bond for your payments by our travel agent guarantee.
Individual insurance, drinks out of lunches, tips, castle and other visits, transfers from Chenonceau and to Saumur train stations, all that is not described in "the price includes".