Horseback Riding
in France
TOUR DE QUERCY
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The Quercy is an
exceptionally beautiful region of France. This
is the land of truffles and ‘foie gras’,
traversed by the picturesque Dordogne River.
Tiny farms, hamlets with no city-dwellers
weekend houses, geese in the streets and small
village hotels. The ride offers riders a view
into rural life and a landscape that has all but
disappeared. Follow centuries old
interconnecting horse and walking tracks that
criss-cross the country. The area is rich in
attractions to which you will ride. Historic
inns with excellent food, prehistoric caves,
structures of the Middle Ages, lakes, and of
course, the beautiful countryside of gentle
hills, forests, and meadows, are all there to be
enjoyed.
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Itinerary |
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Day 1: |
Transfer
from Souillac railway station to the
riding center for dinner and overnight.
Meet your hosts, Jean-Paul, Annabella
and the staff.
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Day 2: |
Breakfast at 9 o'clock. Then spend a
half hour getting acquainted with your
horse, including feeding, grooming,
picking hooves and tacking up. Ride for
approximately 2 ½ hours in the
surrounding area. Lunch back at the
center, then relax in the afternoon with
a swim, tennis or nap.
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Day 3: |
At 9
o'clock leave Les Garennes and the
Perigord to traverse the Quercy. The
difference between the Perigord and
Quercy regions in architecture, flora
and fauna is very obvious. Around noon
arrive at La Blagour, a trout farm and a
"Gouffre" (underground spring), known
for the pure quality of its water. A
wonderful, quiet and cool place, where
you will eat trout prepared by one of
the best cooks of the Quercy. After
lunch ride trails used only by sheep and
horses. Early evening arrive at tonights
destination where you will feed your
horse and turn it into a field for the
night.
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Day 4: |
Ride out
in the morning for a long days ride in
the direction of Rocamadour. Cross the
River Dordogne and past the castle 'La
Treyne' with its marvelous park,
continuing on towards the castle 'Belcastle'.
Eventually reaching the River Ouysse, a
small, clear river flowing between
Lacave and Rocamadour. Mid-day stop for
a simple picnic (to include walnut cake,
a specialty of the region) in a old
water mill. Ride on through the town,
which is built high on the slope of a
hill, leaving the River Ouysse behind.
This is a place of pilgrimage, famous
for its beauty. Dinner and overnight at
the Hotel du Chateau in Alvignac.
Transportation is available for riders
wanting a more extensive visit to
Rocamadour.
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Day 5: |
The
horses have the morning off while riders
visit Gouffre de Padirac. After lunch at
the hotel in Alvignac, mount up and ride
to Meyronne and the hotel de la Terrasse.
This is a small fortified house and
restaurant beautifully located above the
River Dordogne. Dinner will be served on
the terrace with a beautiful view of the
valley of the Dordogne.
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Day 6: |
In the
morning cross the Dordogne by the bridge
of Meyronne and ride by the village of
St. Sozy, returning to Blagour mid-day.
Arrive at Les Garennes in time for an
aperitif, dinner and overnight.
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Day 7: |
Today
enjoy a restful half days ride through
the surrounding area. Lunch back at Les
Garennes and the afternoon free. The
farewell dinner will be a typical
Perigord meal with the best regional
wines.
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Day 8: |
After
breakfast depart for Souillac for train
connection to Paris, a five hour train
ride.
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THIS
ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR
DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN
CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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Pricing and
Dates |
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Meeting Point |
Brive or
Souillac |
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Length of Ride |
8 days, 7
nights and 3 full and 3 half days
riding. |
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Riding Ability |
Intermediate |
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Group Size |
Minimum-2
Maximum-12 |
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Riding Per Day |
3-6 hours |
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Pace |
moderate |
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Tack |
English (a
few Western) |
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Horses |
mixed breeds |
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Weight Limit |
200 lbs |
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2008 Dates |
May 10-17, May 31-June 7,
June 21-28, Sept 6-13, Sept 27-Oct 4 |
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2008 Price |
$1,705 |
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Single Supplement |
$185 |
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