Holiday itinerary
Experience the best that Bergerac has to offer on this flexible 7 night/8 day horse riding holiday located just a 20 minute drive from Bergerac airport, in a peaceful and serene unrivalled area of the Dordogne countryside.
Being only 20 minutes from Bergerac airport means you will spend your time riding and relaxing without having to worry about a long transfer, and there are no time restrictions to the return transfer.
Spend your days on varied and spectacular rides, exploring luscious meadows, vineyards, forests and rivers on horseback and enjoy long energetic trots and thrilling canters. Rides will also take place through many stunning private chateaux estates where you might stop for a delicious picnic or sample the estates wine selection.
This is a very flexible riding holiday so you can choose how much or little riding you want to do each day and you will see a lot of the natural beauty of the Dordogne on your rides, and cover a larger terrain than your average riding holiday.
After returning to your manor house accommodation every evening, your horses will stay at different locations for 3 nights of your stay and you will be transported to your horses in the morning, meaning that you get to really experience the best of the Dordogne and explore vast and varied landscapes rather than just the close surrounding area.
Horses are all handpicked to suit your riding ability and are gentle natured and experienced. The horses will stay on site for some of your holiday to ensure that a special bond is created, and spend their free time grazing in the meadows and splashing in the boating lake at this idyllic location.
Accommodation is in an exquisitely restored 18th century manor house boasting 10 large double bedrooms with private bathrooms. In your free time, discover the unspoilt beauty of the 7 acres of private land to the manor house, the heated outdoor swimming pool, full size tennis courts or take a boat out onto the quaint boating lake.
Your host Jane will be on hand at all times to ensure your stay is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, and is full of local knowledge about the area, food and the horses. Your riding guide, Antoine, has years of experience and is an accomplished rider who has dedicated his life to looking after the horses, and he will be accompanied on some rides by another rider who is an experienced and accomplished rider from the area.
Food will be freshly prepared by the on-site chef Bernadette to include a wide range of regional delicacies and of course fabulous local Bergerac wines.
Take time to marvel at the natural beauty of this area of the Dordogne as you discover the forests, estates, fields and rivers by horseback, accompanied by the finest food, wine and elegant manor house accommodation making this an unforgettable horse riding holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Horse riding holidays are suitable for riders with limited experience to experienced riders
- Please note: we regret that beginner riders are not permitted onto this course and on 12 September we can only accept advanced riders
- Minimum age of 12 (all riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
- Please note: Although the riding school have a wide range of horses to choose to ride, the horses unfortunately cannot take riders over 15 stone (96kg)
- Your host is British and your moniteur guide is a fully fledged accredited French riding teacher
Travelling Solo?
- This horse riding holiday is a great singles holidays and singles are welcome
- There are also no single supplements if you wish to have your own private room, which makes this holiday a great option for solo travellers
- Should you wish to have your own private room, please state this in the ‘special requests’ box during the booking process
- Please note that this course runs for a minimum of 2 people and solo travellers can join existing groups. Please contact us on with your ideal dates of travel to check availability
Non-Participating Partners
- Non riding partners are extremely welcome on these courses
- Spend your days relaxing at the manor house while your partner rides, and enjoy the wide range of facilities on offer (including a nearby golf course)
- Car hire is strongly recommended for non-participating partners to fully explore the area and join the riders on their picnics and for the wine-tasting tour
- All meals are included in the price
Horse Riding Holiday Start Days
- Holidays run from April to November each year
- The horse riding holiday is 7 nights/8 days
- Check in from 5pm on day 1, and check out at midday on day 8 at 10am
- The 5pm check in time is a guideline and your hosts will be happy to accommodate you should you wish to arrive earlier subject to availability
- If you wish to stay for extra nights please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Horse Riding Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows. Please note that Thursday afternoon is free with no lessons:
Day 1- Saturday - Arrival and welcome dinner
- You will be met from Bergerac airport or Bergerac train station and driven for 20 minutes to the manor house
- Check into your room at the elegant manor house any time after 5pm
- After settling in, you will meet your fellow guests and enjoy a specially prepared dinner with your welcoming host Jane
- Jane will outline your itinerary for the next few days and provide you with some information on the house, horses and what you can expect during your week at the manor house
Days 2 – Sunday – Visit to the market at Issigeac and horse ride
- After breakfast you will head to the stables to meet the horses and your riding guide Antoine, who will help to assess your level as you ride around the paddock and choose you a suitable horse
- You will then be driven to the colourful street market in Issigeac, where you will explore the local delicacies and shop for trinkets
- You’ll be driven back to the manor house for an early lunch
- In the afternoon, experience your first ride of the week around the beautiful local area
- Late afternoon, return to the manor house for drinks and dinner with host Jane and your fellow guests
Day 3 – Monday – Riding to Lamonzie Montastruc, Saint Marcel du Perigord and Pressignac-Vicq
- After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to saddle up for a full day of riding
- The route today takes you through the village of Lamonzie Montastruc and across la Forêt de Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube, boasting lovely formal gardens
- We will then move on to the attractive village of Saint Marcel du Perigord where you stop for a light picnic lunch at the nearby stream
- After lunch, ride on to Pressignac-Vicq, where your will leave your horses to stay overnight whilst you return to the manor by car
- Chef Bernadette will cook a delicious regional dish for dinner accompanied by local wines
Day 4 –Tuesday– Riding to the Dordogne river and Pressignac-Vicq
- After breakfast, you’ll return back to Pressignac-Vicq to meet your horse and ride down to the Dordogne river
- This ride offers spectacular views of the valley and river, and you will stop by the bank of the river to enjoy a picnic lunch and a drink
- In the afternoon you’ll ride back to Pressignac-Vicq on a different route which gives you the opportunity for a few good canters
- Drive back to the manor house for a rest, before your evening meal accompanied by a well-earned drink
Day 5 – Wednesday– Forest riding from Pressignac-Vicq to the manor house
- Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll return to pick up your horses in Pressignac-Vicq and ride then back to the manor house through the dense forests
- You’ll stop en-route for a picnic lunch before arriving at the manor house
- Take time this afternoon to relax and explore the beautiful boating lake, take a dip in the pool or just soak up the sun in the gardens
- Another delicious locally sourced dinner will be cooked by Chef Bernadette tonight and enjoyed with a well-deserved glass of local wine
Day 6 – Thursday– Ride to a country estate for informal wine tasting, free afternoon
- After breakfast set off on a morning ride through the vineyards and forests to either Chateau Tiregand, which is owned by the Saint-Exupéry family, (one of whom wrote the famous children’s book, 'Le Petit Prince') or to Les Terres Vielles.
- Both estates produce exceptional local wines, and you will be able to taste the fabulous wines during an informal wine tasting session before riding back to the manor house
- The afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure and your host Jane will be happy to suggest local attractions and help you to organise the afternoon
- Or you might wish to use the heated swimming pool or tennis court and relax at the peaceful surroundings at the manor house
- Dinner is not included today, so you can choose to either try a local restaurant on Jane’s recommendation or cook at the manor house if you wish
Day 7 – Friday – Rides to local villages and farewell dinner
- On your last full day, you will walk to the stable yard after breakfast to saddle up once more
- The route today will take you through the Caudeau Valley visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont Beauregard along the way
- You will also pass through the Chateau de la Gaubertie, before resting at an idyllic spot for a restful picnic
- You will then ride back to the manor house for a fancy farewell dinner and drinks with your host Jane and fellow guests, for a final evening of fun and laughter
Day 8 – Saturday – Departure day
- After a leisurely breakfast guests, your will check out of the manor house and be driven to Bergerac airport or train station
- If your flight is later in the day, you might be able to visit Bergerac street market for some last minute shopping before departing
About The Riding School And Your Tutors
- Your hostess, Jane, has been running riding holidays from her manor house for the past 8 years and is a passionate and welcoming hostess
- She has recently written and published a travel guide about Dordogne and the surrounding area, so has a wealth of knowledge to offer you
- The riding school is fully registered and insured with its own French moniteur guide
- Your riding tutor and guide, Antoine Delpit, has many years’ experience with horses and will be happy to pass on this extensive knowledge to you, ensuring that your happiness and safety is paramount at all times
- Antoine will be accompanied on some rides by another rider who is an experienced and accomplished rider from the area and also full of knowledge of the best trails and places to rest
About The Horses
- The horses used on this holiday are sourced from an experienced local trekking company and the horses will stay on site with you during your stay
- There are a wide range of horses available to suit riders of all levels of experience and abilities
- There are a mixture of saddle horses and arab crosses, specialised in trekking, and all are very well behaved, happy and fit
- The horses stay in a converted 18th century barn on the manor house estate and there are 11 spacious loose boxes, with straw beds and open bars so the horses can watch each other
- The horses also spend their time grazing in the vast paddocks behind the manor house and also walking in the lake
What Will I Learn?
- You will experience some of the finest riding through private chateaux estates in the heart of the Dordogne
- Each ride is fabulous and varied riding through woods, fields, open ground past medieval villages, chateaux
- Each ride has been carefully planned and is different each day to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters
- You will also have time to take lazy walks around the area
- Riding on tarmac is kept to a minimum, although there is some on quiet country lanes
- Riding is flexible for this course and although you can be riding for around 6 hours a day just can choose to ride or relax at the house instead, and there is plenty to do around the manor house so you will not be bored
- Unfortunately beginners are not permitted onto the course as the dynamic of the group can change and the rides are aimed at those with experience and can be challenging
- You will visit a local chateau and have an informal wine tasting session of the estate’s own delicious wines
What to bring?
Casual riding wear is recommended but as you could be riding for up to six hours a day it should be comfortable. We suggest you bring the following:
- A hard hat or helmet that conforms to current BHS standards. We insist that riding hats are worn at all times.
- Light riding gloves
- A decent pair of boots (jodhpur or full length),
- Jodhpurs/trousers, all leather full length chaps or half chaps
- Waterproof jacket, fleece, warm jumper
- Swimming costume
- Passport and tickets
- Driving license
- Insurance
- E111 (European medical assistance if you are a member of the EU)
- Camera
- Personal medication, sun protection cream, insect repellent
- Hairdryer and adaptor
- Sunglasses for eye protection
- Small water bottle
The Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in a beautifully restored elegant 18th century manor house
- The manor house was built in the 18th century and has a great feel of history about it
- The manor house is surrounded by secluded meadows, woodland and fields and boasts 7 acres of private land
- There is also a private boating and fishing lake on site
- At the main house, there is a large entrance hall and open living room with a cosy traditional fireplace, satellite TV and two double sofa beds
- The kitchen is complete with dishwasher, washing machine, separate dryer, microwave, and fridge
- There is a spacious dining room which can easily seat 14 people
- The main house has 4 large double bedrooms with queen size beds on the second floor, and 3 double bedrooms on the third floor
- All 7 double bedrooms have their own private bathrooms
- There is also the pigeonnier (converted dovecote) with a vaulted living room with 2 sofas, an open fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms (1 with double bed, one with 2 single beds), a shared bathroom and a private garden
- The wing is also attached to the manor house and provides alternative accommodation should it be required and comprises of a large living room with an open fireplace and two double sofa beds, a double bedroom (with double bed), a bathroom and a second kitchen
- The wing and the pigeonnier will be offered if the manor house is full, and are all on-site and a very short walk from each other
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in any time after 5pm on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 8
Meals
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included for this holiday, except for lunch and dinner on day 6 (extra cost, free afternoon)
- Breakfast will include freshly baked bread with home-made jams and honey from a local bee-keeper, yoghurt, fruit from the local orchard, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
- Lunches are usually in the form of a specially prepared picnic basket by Chef Bernadette, and served either in the grounds of, or inside, the private chateau whose land you are riding through
- The picnics typically include local delicacies, country salads, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines
- Dinners are typically served in the dining room of the manor house or outdoors on the terrace
- Dinner is cooked by Chef Bernadette and is typically a three course menu including regional cuisine such as duck, foie gras, truffles, asparagus and strawberries served with a variety of excellent local wines
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated at the time of booking and can be catered for
Free Time Around Bergerac
- This horse riding holiday is bursting with carefully planned riding and excursions but you will still have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area and local attractions
- There is a wide variety of activities to make the most of around Bergerac, and your host Jane will be on hand at all times to suggest local attractions and help to organise your time at the manor house
- There is a large fishing/boating lake where you can try your hand a catching a carp, borrow a rowing boat, play a game of tennis on the full size all weather tennis court, explore the 7 acres of private land, or take a swim in the outdoors heated swimming pool
- Alternatively, you can relax in the hammock or on a sun lounger and soak up the views and the sun
- Jane will also be on hand on your free afternoon on Thursday to give you insider advice on the best places to visit and eat and arrange transportation should you wish
Stay at the picturesque 18th century manor house, sample delicious French cuisine and local wines, and spend your days exploring the best that Bergerac has to offer on this horse riding holiday with a difference.