Horse riding tour of the castles in France

On this occasion we invite you to discover on horseback a country with a special charm, France, where you will enjoy its routes through the vineyards and its castles and, of course, one of the most exquisite gastronomies in the world.

France has a long tradition of horse riding and to define equestrian tourism they have coined the term “randonnée” which was actually the original definition of “horse ride”.

The whole country is connected by an extraordinary network of equestrian routes, including trails, and endless opportunities to relax, have fun and experience French culture on horseback.

Ride a horse and follow the route of the Loire castles or sign up for a horseback ride through the vineyards in France! It is a beautiful country and traveling through it on horseback becomes magical.

Equestrian tourism in France

The range of equestrian tourism on offer in France is very comprehensive and each region has something to discover.

France is immensely popular for its magical trails in the Loire, where they offer horseback rides among the region's grandiose Renaissance castles with free time for sightseeing. A very good option for joining castle tours on horseback in France is with the services of Cheval & Châteaux.

If what you are looking for is peace and quiet, one alternative is to visit the town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle overlooking the confluence of the Dordogne and Céou rivers, characterized by its terraces which are accessed by climbing up narrow and steep streets. A village with an exceptionally rich heritage, well worth a visit, consult Touraine Cheval to visit it on horseback.

In France you should also visit Burgundy, in the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, the pride of France. It has a total area of 281,400 hectares and is a wild and undulating granite massif with beautiful vegetation. It is surrounded by the great lakes of Les Settons, Pannecière, Chaumeçon, Saint-Agnan, Chamboux and Le Crescent.

The staff of Sommant Horse Team, expert local providers of equestrian tourism services, will take you to discover this paradise.

Cheval & Châteaux

They are located in the Loire region. On their routes you will discover the region's most famous castles. You will enjoy the pleasure of riding through beautiful parks, forests and vineyards, on the banks of the Loire, Cher and Vienne, with the added bonus of staying in some very exclusive places.

Cheval & Châteaux will let you live a life of luxury, you will stay in castles that you never imagined you would get to know so closely. You will enjoy picnics with foie gras, you will visit incredible historical sites full of glamor and the best of gastronomy in the heart of France.

It has a wide range of options for horse riding holidays and for all levels of rider. To give you a general idea of what they offer, in this article we are going to present two of their programs.

Chenonceau, Nitray, Pagode de Chanteloup, Amboise

This program is designed for an intermediate level, i.e. a rider who can ride at all paces or gaits. For the rider who does not ride frequently, but may have done so in the past or rides in an indoor arena once a week.

On this program, you will ride from the banks of the Cher River to the chestnut trees of the Amboise forest and from the feminine beauty of the Château de Chenonceau to the political history of the Château d'Amboise.

The riding pace is moderate and for 2 days you will ride for about 4 hours a day. Your horses are mixed breed trained on the trails along the route.

Itinerary summary

Day 1: Arrival at Château de l'Isle, near Chenonceau. Dinner and accommodation at Château de l'Isle.

Day 2: Château de Chenonceau - Château de Nitray.

In the morning, 1 hour on horseback.

• Château de l'Isle - Chenonceau on horseback. Visit to the castle and gardens of Chenonceau.
• Lunch at the castle of Chenonceau.

In the afternoon, 3 hours on horseback.

• Tour of Chenonceau - Nitray castle with a walk along the river Cher.
• Guided tour of the caves, cellar and wine museum - wine tasting. Dinner and accommodation at Château de l'Isle.

Day 3: Chanteloup Pagoda - Chateau d'Amboise In the morning approximately 2 hours on horseback.

• Visiting Château de l'Isle - Pagode de Chanteloup and then riding along the river Cher and in the forest of Amboise.
• Visit of the Pagode de Chanteloup and medieval games in the open air. Picnic with foie gras in the gardens of the Pagode.

In the afternoon, approximately 1 hour on horseback.

• Chanteloup Pagoda - Amboise castle on horseback. Guided tour of Amboise castle.
• Gourmet dinner and night at the fantastic Château de Pray in Amboise.

Day 4: Breakfast - Departure

Saumur, Montsoreau, Fontevraud, Brézé, Chinon, Ussé, Villandry

This program is designed for experienced riders who ride different types of horses at all paces. Riders who can ride for long days, more than 6 hours a day in the saddle. Who feel confident in difficult terrain and enjoy a good fast gallop. Riders who are physically fit and used to trails with challenging jumps along the way.

The program starts in Saumur, vineyards, troglodyte caves and castles. The trails will take you on a journey through the history of France, we are talking about the Plantagenêts, Alienor of Aquitaine, the Valois, Joan of Arc.

You will be welcomed by the best of the French aristocracy in their castles, you will travel on horseback through their wonderful landscapes, vineyards, forests, the Loire, Vienne and Indre rivers, orchards... And the trip will culminate in the marvelous Château de Villandry and its famous gardens.

Summary of the itinerary

Day 1: Arrival from Saumur TGV station to Beaulieu Castle in Saumur.

• Dinner at the Château de Beaulieu where information about the route will be provided.

Day 2: Visit to the Champigny winery - Château de Montsoreau.

In the morning, approximately two hours on horseback

• From the Château de Beaulieu through the vineyards, with a magnificent view over the Château de Saumur, we approach the Champigny winery.
• Champigny wine tasting in the troglodyte cellar depending on the season - Gourmet lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• Route through the vineyards of Champigny, along the Loire River to the castle of Montsoreau, with landscapes that inspired the well-known French writer Alexandre Dumas for his book “The Lady of Montsoreau”.
• Dinner and overnight at Chateau de Beaulieu.

Day 3: Chateau de Brézé - Abbaye de Fontevraud In the morning, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• Start of the trip to the Chateau de Brézé through the vineyards and the countryside.
• Lunch in the former stables of the Château de Brézé. Guided tour of the Château de Brézé.

In the afternoon, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• Ride through vineyards, countryside and forest to Abbaye de Fontevraud.
• Visit Abbaye de Fontevraud. Dinner and overnight at Domaine de Mestré in Fontevraud.

Day 4: Abbaye de Fontevraud - Chateau de Ternay In the morning, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• You will ride along the paths of a traditional French countryside to Chateau de la Roche Martel, a private and historic castle where the owners will welcome us for a picnic and a visit.

In the afternoon, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• Ride through the countryside and forest to the private castle of Ternay, where you will receive a warm welcome from the Count and Countess of Ternay. Dinner and overnight at the Château de Ternay.

Day 5: Chinon - Ussé - Azay le Rideau In the morning, approximately 2 hours on horseback.

• Start of the trip to the Château d'Ussé from the forest of Chinon. Walk in the forest of Chinon.
• Upon arrival at the Château d'Ussé, you will meet the sleeping beauty of the Château.
• Lunch in Ussé.

In the afternoon, approximately 2 hours on horseback

• Ride and high speed gallops on the way to Azay le Rideau, along the river Indre, through forests and orchards.
• Transfer to Chinon. Free visit of Chinon. Night in a medieval hotel in Chinon.

Day 6: Azay le Rideau – Villandry In the morning, around 2:30 hours on horseback

• You will ride towards the Château de Villandry and its famous gardens through the countryside, vineyards and forests.
• Lunch at the Château de Villandry.

In the afternoon

• Visit to the wonderful gardens and the Château de Villandry.
• Transfer to the Château de Gizeux.
• Dinner and overnight at the Château de Gizeux.

Day 7: Breakfast and departure

Apart from these two equestrian programs, they have several route proposals and many castles to stay in, check their website https://www.cheval-et-chateaux.com/

Touraine Cheval

They are located in the charming town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, between Langeais and Azay le Rideau. The proximity of Tours and Chinon allows for easy access.

Touraine Cheval was created in 2011 by Jessica Londe. It is a center specializing in recreational riding and wellness, which means that they do not practice competitive sports. Therefore, they focus their teaching and their actions on procuring the pleasure and well-being of riders and horses.

Their aim is to introduce horse riding in a natural environment, where people can feel free to discover an endearing animal. There are three qualified instructors, and their horses are carefully selected for their kindness, good character and, above all, for the safety they provide to the rider when being ridden.

Since 2016, they have been operating as Touraine Cheval and provide equestrian instruction services with riding lessons and equestrian tourism programs that can be rides of a few hours, day trips or trips lasting several days.

As enthusiasts of equestrian tourism and riding for several days, in this article we focus on these alternatives. We are going to briefly reveal some of their programs.

“Au Fil de La Loire” weekend

You will set off on horseback along beautiful trails on the first day, towards the castle of Villandry, through the surrounding orchards, full of the scent of fruit.

You will visit the Touraine countryside until you reach this wonderful castle with its magnificent gardens.

The next day, you will head to Azay le Rideau to taste the wines of Château de L'unée, a tourist winery that offers all kinds of wines, whites (Touraine), rosés, reds (Chinon), sparkling wines, fresh and light wines that appeal to everyone.

The return journey takes you through vineyards and forest and the following day you will leave happy to have discovered this beautiful corner of France on horseback.

Three unforgettable days of Vineyards and Castles

On the first day, you will ride along beautiful paths through the Bourgueil vineyards, along the Loire. A stop in the middle of the vineyards and a wine tasting are a must.

In the evening, you will sleep in a charming guest room, where a swimming pool will be waiting for you to relax in. Dinner is served at the table d'hôte where you can share anecdotes of the day.

The next day, you will head to Gizeux Castle, where the landscapes will be very varied, between forests, fields and vineyards. Upon arrival, you will be able to visit this magnificent castle, a guided tour with its owners. An aperitif will be offered and dinner will be served. You will stay overnight at the castle.

The next day, an exquisite breakfast will be waiting for you in the lounge for your last day.

You will go horse riding through the hills between the Loire and the forests, along charming little-used paths, with a visit to Langeais Castle.

Royal Week Horse Riding Tour

These are 8 exceptional days in the company of horses where you will discover this magnificent region with its wines, its castles and its gastronomy.

You will stay in a high-end guest house or castle, with a swimming pool for some accommodation, and you will savor typical meals of the country and its region.

There are many activities, such as visits to castles, wine tastings in unusual wineries, a night of stories and legends, and much more.

Frequently asked questions from riders

Can I take a trail ride if I have never been on a horse before?

There is no problem riding with them if you are a beginner, their horses are calm, friendly and trained, and their instructors are highly qualified.

All the recommendations and safety rules to follow are explained to you at the beginning of the trip, and an instructor certified by the French state accompanies you at all times to guide you.

I want to book a program, what do I have to do? Just call or email them to proceed with the booking, at your convenience, depending on availability. They do not work through tour operators.

Are helmets provided? Yes, they are provided free of charge.

Are they open all year round for horse riding? Yes, they offer horse riding all year round, they are only closed on Mondays.

If you come in a group and the levels are mixed, how does it work? To keep everyone safe, they will always adapt to the lowest level of experience. So, if there are beginner and experienced riders in the same group, they will have to take a beginner level ride, and experienced riders will not be able to gallop.

Find out more about them, their work, their foundation for adults and equine therapy, their horses and their routes by visiting their website: https://tourainecheval.com/language/en/welcome

Sommant Horse Team

They are located in Burgundy, in the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park. Hiking, horses and friendship are much more than a profession, they are their passion.

Throughout the year, they offer a full range of equestrian routes and trails, more or less strenuous depending on the destination. Accompanied by their expert guides or on your own, you can travel along them with the assurance that each one has been surveyed and planned down to the smallest detail.

They are also present in Spain with a spring week in Catalonia and Italy with a route that takes you from the sea through Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.

They have so many offers that in this article we are only going to present some of them, in order to give you an overview of who they are and how they work.

Vineyards of Burgundy

A magnificent proposal for horse riding routes in the vineyards of Burgundy, 4 days on horseback to discover a unique architectural heritage and a wine production recognized all over the world.

Apart from following the route on horseback, this is an opportunity to restock your cellar or take the time to taste and sample high quality wines.

The departure is on Thursday morning from Corcelles les Monts, a small village located in the Burgundy Vineyards area, to head through hidden paths to Fixin, Corton and Gevrey Chambertin.

After a short break and tasting in the heart of Gevrey, you will ride towards the essential and arrive at Vosne Romanée, crossing the internationally recognized vineyards of Romanée Conti, Les Bourgeois, Brulés and Richebourg.

A short tasting session north of Vosne Romanée and then you will head to Agencourt, a small village near Nuits Saint Georges, where you will spend the night.

Their vacation destinations on horseback, lasting a week or more, expand from year to year.

In France, Le Morvan and its Grand Tour, Burgundy of the Grand Crus, but also the Cévenol massif and the Florac route, Brittany, with a beautiful getaway to the Côtes d'Armor, Normandy with a straight line ride, from the north of the Cotentin peninsula to the sand of the bay of Mont Saint Michel, Alsace, of course, with a crossing of Alsace from south to north, Auvergne with a “discovery” walk from the volcanoes of Auvergne to the mountains of Cantal; Drôme and Vaucluse, Lot and Quercy blanc with the castles of the Loire.

The next day, you will leave the Côtes de Nuits to go to the Côtes de Beaune. Pernand Vergelesses, Savigny les Beaune and Pommard will be the three places where you will taste their wine production.

You will spend the night in Pommard and the next day, you will gradually leave the Côtes de Beaune to head for the Côtes Chalonnaise. Auxress Duresses, Gamay and Saint Aubin await you. Accommodation and dinner in Santenay.

On the last day, which is often the day when spending is most reckless, you will go from winery to winery, in a territory where wine combines undeniable quality and an attractive price, you will enjoy the Odds Chalonnaise, Mercurey, Rully.

Horseback riding in Brittany: Côtes D'Armor

Brittany: Côtes D'Armor - Sommant Horse Team

Brittany, in the northwest of France, is a land steeped in a history of anger and struggle, but also a land of celebration and discovery. You may not come across Ankou (the personification of death in the popular mythology of Lower Brittany) on any of the trails you ride here, but you may come across some elves or some ethereal nymphs if you overindulge in their chouchen (local cider).

Its inhabitants are very welcoming to all the riders who visit them, they are big-hearted Bretons and the culture here is closely related to horses.

With a strong Celtic influence, the region is known for its beautiful open landscapes, ideal for long horse rides.

The trails run through beautiful landscapes, the paths are very varied and riders will skirt the rocky coasts. You will visit its ports and you will even be able to cross several bays when the tide allows it.

The horses born and bred here are strong and very efficient on these routes. Suitable for long gallops on the beaches, they cross rocks if necessary and behave as expert connoisseurs of the challenging terrain they traverse.

It takes place every year from the 6th to the 12th of July. It starts on the banks of the Rance (near Dinan and Saint Malo) and ends in Paimpol (and its cliffs).

The stages are Pleslin Trigavou, Saint Cast, Erquy, Hillion, Binic, Lanloup, Plourivo across the Bay of Saint Brieuc, Saint Jacut de la Mer and the possible crossing of the Bay of Saint Jacut, an area of beautiful beaches and castles.

The coast and the sea of Brittany are a paradise for horse riding, loved by riders who know the area and those who don't yet.

The level of riding required is to feel comfortable and independent in the three basic paces, to be in good physical shape and to be able to stay firmly in the saddle on all terrains.

An assistance vehicle provides hot lunches and transports luggage throughout the trip. Accommodation is in small, basically equipped local hotels and inns.

For more information, all their horse riding routes are described in detail on their website: https://eng.sommanthorseteam-equitation.com/index.php