Overview

• Food & Accommodation

• Activities

• Travel Information

• Further Details

• Photo Gallery

• Weather

• Printable Version

• Check Availability

• Pricing

Programmes

• Beach and Country weekend Programme

Reviews

“Everything was brilliant from the journey down, the hotel and the friendly staff to the restaurants we ate in. How can one describe it? Xavier was the best guide one could wish for and his horses were superb. The countryside is fantastic, the sea is a different colour, the beach was so clean and empty - all the better for cantering across the sand. It really didn't seem as if we were only 26 miles from Dear Old Blighty! ”

“My wife and I had a wonderful time. Riding down the beach under a violet sky at dusk was a magical experience, matched only by the fantastic meal we had at the restaurant which was really outstanding. Xavier could not have been kinder! We would certainly recommend the Winter Weekend break - the timing worked out really well and the combination of all these aspects made for a really enjoyable and manageable weekend away. ”

“Superb location - convenient and picturesque. Great food and friendly hosts. Exceeded expectations. We are beginners but Xavier took care of us well and was a pleasant and accommodating host. We all had lovely horses!”

“The purpose of the weekend was an 18th birthday present for our Goddaughter whose dream was to ride along a beach and the surf. I think this holiday exceeded her dreams. She hasn't stopped smiling! It met all my expectations. Xavier was a great host/guide and met each of the needs of all four of us. He was pleasant hospitable and friendly.”

“Amazing! Brilliant! The beach ride really fun and most all my horse was lovely. Where we stayed was lovely, very peaceful - the view of the beach was beautiful. The holiday was so enjoyable, Sue and are going back next year. Thank you! ”

“I had a fantastic time in Calais. Xavier was a fantastic host and extremely patient. I've never done such long distance riding before but he made me feel really safe and comfortable the whole time. He's also a great teacher and I feel that I have learnt something new as well and feel a lot more confident with my riding abilities. Riding on the beach was amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend this holiday to anyone who loves riding.”

“Wonderful! Dream come true (I have always wanted to ride along a beach!) Fantastic horses and scenery. So well organised - riding, accommodation, meals - everything. Perfect choice of horses as per our ability and my age! My favourite memory was cantering along a beautiful sandy beach in the sunshine with the white cliffs of Dover just over the water.”

Horses

Type of horses:

Fjord, part Arab, part Boulonnais, part T.B.

Nature of horses:

Calm and responsive

Height of horses:

14 - 16 hh

Weight limit:

100 kg

Tack type:

English, McLellan

Weather

Current Conditions:
Light Rain, 4 C

Forecast:
Fri - Showers. High: 6 Low: 3
Sat - Partly Cloudy. High: 6 Low: 4

Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather

(provided by The Weather Channel)

Pricing

Beach and Country weekend Programme

2010 Prices:
Option One: Half day Saturday, half day Sunday riding.
Based on two sharing: £199
Single room accommodation: £263
Includes: One nights accommodation with breakfast, evening meal, two half day rides.

Option Two: Half day Saturday and full day Sunday riding.
Based on two sharing: £232
Single room accommodation: £309
Includes: One nights accommodation with breakfast, evening meal, one and a half days riding and a picnic lunch on the Sunday.

Option three: Full day Saturday and full day Sunday riding.
Based on two sharing: £268
Single room accommodation: £345
Includes: One nights accommodation with breakfast, evening meal, two full day rides and a picnic lunch on the Saturday and Sunday.

Longer stays can be arranged at certain times, please contact the office.

Availability/Booking Form

Ride Description

The perfect 'getaway'! A convenient and easy to reach destination by train or ferry, so get in your car and off you go. Ten minutes from Calais you can be relaxing in your typical French room and riding through beautiful countryside and along beaches. All this can be done in a weekend, leaving you refreshed for your week ahead, with minimal hassle.

This area of France is very rural and offers the most wonderful riding for those wishing to 'get away from it all' for a long weekend. There are miles of unspoilt beach for fast riding. The area is real farming country with a network of bridle paths. Your host is a well known endurance rider.

The horses will be totally reliable and will give confidence to nervous riders and those who have not ridden for a while. Mothers and daughters and groups of friends would really love a weekend here with the opportunity to ride along the beach and in the sea. In fact there is 25 kilometres of unspoilt beach on which to ride. However, your guide will also take you through some beautiful countryside where you will really enjoy your riding, There is also plenty of time to relax on this trip.

See Programmes.

Food & Accommodation

Accommodation is at small typically French hotel situated on the Cote d'Opale. Just seconds from the beach the rooms are simply furnished but with en-suite facilities. Some rooms have views of the sea.

There are rooms to accommodate two but also a small apartment which has two double rooms and facilities to sleep two extra. This also has kitchen facilities. This would be a great place for a group of friends and families to have some fun. This is not a sophisticated hotel but is perfectly good.

The alternative accommodation is a charming gite situated 50 metres from the beach which has 5 guest rooms with ensuite facilities.

Breakfast is included and is a typical French continental breakfast. Lunch and dinner on Saturday is at a local restaurant. The restaurant serves typical French food and is extremely good with an extensive menu. Picnic lunches will be eaten on the Sunday.

Activities

The beach is literally one minute from your hotel and is very unspoilt. Walking along this quiet beach or maybe just sitting in the sun would be a pleasure.

If you wish to take your own car to France, there is a great opportunity to visit the Cite Europe Shopping Centre in Calais to stock up on those wonderful French cheeses and, of course, the duty free wine. This whole area of France is very unspoilt and underrated and it is worthwhile taking a look around if you are able. There are golf courses nearby, tennis and cycling.

Further Details

Languages: English & French

Health requirements: Riding fit

Age limit: No age restrictions.

Tuition: No

Included: Riding, accommodation, dinner, picnic lunch and qualified guide, transfers.

Not included: Eurotunnel or ferry

Travel Information

Travel here is by Eurotunnel or a ferry from Dover, We can arrange for your transfer from Calais if you arrive late afternoon. You may prefer self drive because there is much to see around this area. It is a simple bus journey to your destination from the ferry.

Beach and Country weekend Programme

This weekend is a truly French experience including fun riding on calm reliable horses through the region known as the Parc Regional du Nord and the Opal Coast. Your qualified guide is an international endurance rider who would ensure your weekend is fabulous. This programme offers you a number of options to suit your time scale. Your schedule will vary according to the programme. Basic Itinerary You will arrive Saturday, book in to the hotel. You will then be collected by your guide, Xavier in front of the church, taken to the stables and introduced to your horse. You may help groom and tack up your horse in time for the start of your ride. You will ride over the bridle paths in the country following the coast and you will get a wonderful view of Wissant and the bay between the Two Caps. Your ride may take you to Strouanne and from there to Le Chatelet you will be riding along the beach. On return to the stables you will leave your horse, get changed and enjoy an evening meal in Les Jardins de Lou Sa, this will include a main meal, dessert, house wine and coffee. After breakfast on the following day you will leave the hotel, meet at the stables at 09:30 to ride at 10:00 between the glorious countryside of the Two Caps. This ride will take take you up until lunch, where you will then depart or will be a full days ride to include a a picnic. Option One: Half day Saturday, half day Sunday riding. You will arrive Saturday, book in to the hotel and have lunch (not included). You will then be collected by your guide, Xavier at 13:30 in front of the church, taken to the stables and introduced to your horse. You may help groom and tack up your horse in time for the start of your ride at 14.00. Your evening meal is in Les Jardins de Lou Sa After breakfast on the following day you will leave the hotel, meet at the stables at 09:30 to ride at 10:00 between the glorious countryside of the Two Caps. This ride will take take you up until lunch, when you will get yourself ready to return to the UK Option Two: Half day Saturday and full day Sunday riding. You will arrive Saturday, book in to the hotel and have lunch. You will then be collected by your guide, Xavier at 13:30 in front of the church, taken to the stables and introduced you to your horse. You may help groom and tack up your horse in time for the start of your ride at 14.00. Your evening meal is in Les Jardins de Lou Sa. After breakfast on the following day you will leave the hotel, meet at the stables at 09:30 to ride at 10:00 between the glorious countryside of the Two Caps. You will then enjoy a picnic lunch en-route, following lunch you will continue the rest of your ride, before departing at the end of the day. Option three: Full day Saturday and full day Sunday riding. You will arrive Saturday. You will then be collected by your guide, Xavier at 09:30 in front of the church, taken to the stables and introduced to your horse. You may help groom and tack up your horse in time for the start of your ride at 10.00. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed en-route before continuing the rest of the days ride. Your evening meal is in Les Jardins de Lou Sa. After breakfast on the following day you will leave the hotel, meet at the stables at 09:30 to ride at 10:00 between the glorious countryside of the Two Caps. You will then enjoy a picnic lunch en-route, following lunch you will continue the rest of your ride, before departing at the end of the day.
Accommodation:	Accommodation is at Le Capotel which is a lovely simple typical small French hotel. It offers comfortable but not luxurious accommodation. On the full day Saturday programme it may not always be possible to book into the hotel before your first ride.
Minimum group size:	2
Maximum group size:	3
Ability description:	Intermediate onwards but novice riders by arrangement.
Type of ride:	Trail, country terrain and beach riding
Total riding time:	Varied as per option
Departure dates:	All year round.
Pricing:	See Pricing

---