Dordogne Wine & Dine, France
Reviews
“You were absolutely right, it was an unforgettable holiday! The host, the place, the atmosphere, the horses and everything were great! Thank you very much again and I will book my next holiday through Far and Ride.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Arab/Anglo Arab crosses, local French saddle horses.
Nature of horses:
Well schooled, well behaved and well loved!
Height of horses:
15hh - 16.2hh
Weight limit:
96 kg (15 stone)
Tack type:
The saddles are specialised trekking saddles (Forestier, Gaston- Mercier etc) or standard UK saddles.
Weather
Current Conditions:
Fair, 18 C
Forecast:
Thu - Showers. High: 24 Low: 12
Fri - Showers. High: 22 Low: 12
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
2012:
This programme costs £1165 per person. Non-riders cost £675 per person.
Shorter stays can be arranged as below:
6 nights: £1045, non-riders £603 per person
5 nights: £924, non-riders £502 per person
4 nights: £715, non-riders £402 per person
3 nights: £522, non-riders £321 per person
2 nights: £362, non-riders £221 per person
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Referred to as 'The Galloping Gourmet' by Horse and Hound Magazine, this exclusive destination is set in and around the spectacular Dordogne countryside in South-Western France. Guests ride through thousands of hectares of beautiful private estates, exploring thick forests, valleys, vineyards and meadows, on well schooled and loved horses. These horses live a good life, grazing in the paddocks behind the house and paddling in the lake in between riding times. The rides are different each day and feature energetic trots and exciting canters, as well as the relaxed walks at which you can explore your wonderful surroundings. This is also an approved ABRS (Associated British Riding School) riding centre.
You are accommodated in an elegant 18th century manor house which has been restored to offer a warm, friendly and inviting environment for guests. Its grounds extend to just over 7 acres with tennis courts, a swimming pool and spacious stables in the barn. There is also an ancient pigeonnier, a large meadow garden, a small fishing and boat lake, a croquet lawn and beautiful trees surrounded by a charming trout stream. The cuisine here is divine and based around the regions specialities such as duck, foie gras, truffles, asparagus and strawberries, served with a variety of excellent local wines. The picnic lunches and luxurious dinners add the finishing touch to this high end holiday destination.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
This elegant 18th century manor house is at the end of a tree lined drive and has recently been restored to its former glory. It is set in its own private grounds of seven acres and overlooks woodlands and fields.
The main house has a large entrance hall/study with a double sofa bed leading onto the main living room, with open fireplace, satellite TV and two double sofa beds. There is a modern fully fitted and equipped kitchen complete with:dishwasher, washing machine, separate dryer, microwave and fridge/freezer). The dining room seats fourteen with ease.
The staircase leads from the living room to the upstairs landing where there are four large double bedrooms - one with two double beds, one with twin beds and two each with double beds, numerous cots for tots and a crib. There are four ensuite bathrooms. There are three air-conditioned double bedrooms with individual ensuite shower rooms on the third floor. One with three single beds, one double and a double bedded room with an additional single bed. The wing comprises a large living room with open fireplace and two double sofa beds with a double bedroom (with double bed), a second fully fitted and equipped kitchen. a bathroom and a private walled garden.
The Pigeonnier (converted dovecote) has a vaulted living room with two double sofabeds, an open fireplace and a fully fitted and equipped kitchen.
There are two double bedrooms (one double and two single beds), a bathroom and a private garden.
Alongside the spacious and comfortable accommodation are the wonderful grounds. Aside from the pool, tennis court and stable barn, the grounds also feature an ancient pigeonnier, and behind the house is a huge meadow garden, a small fishing/boating lake, a croquet lawn, some lovely mature trees, all bounded by a delightful trout stream.
The heated swimming pool (12mx6m), surrounded by ample space for sunbathing, is open from dawn till dusk. For the energetic, the full size all weather surface tennis court is the ideal place to loosen up those stiff muscles. You could try your hand at catching one of the fat carp in the lake or simply watch them from your rowing boat. However if you are into total relaxation then the hammock is available on a strictly first come first sleep basis.
The stables are only a stone's throw from the house, allowing for maximum bonding between horse and rider. The accommodation can be booked all year round either on a self-catering basis or full board if preferred.
Continental Breakfasts are served with fresh croissants, bread, butter and a selection of jams, muesli, yoghourts, fruit, juices and coffee and tea. Lunch is usually a picnic of meats, cheeses, salads and, of course, that delicious French bread. Dinners are cooked using fresh local ingredients and are three courses - the menu often includes a speciality dish of the region. Lunch and dinner are accompanied by wine often from local vineyards.
Thursday is the non-riding day when guests can go out for lunch and dinner
All dinners are served with the finest local Bergerac wines, red, rose and white, beer and soft drinks in unlimited quantities
Activities
In the grounds there is a heated swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn, fishing/boating lake and a delightful trout stream.
There is much to see in the local area for non-riders (the Dordogne is one of the richest areas of France for tourism) and it is wonderful for walking. Cycling is possible as there are miles of footpaths and tracks through the forest. There are two bicycles at the house and others can be hired locally.
Non riders can arrange to join the riders for lunch at prearranged times.
Further Details
Languages: Jane, your host, is English and speaks English and French. The riding guide, Antoine, speaks some English but is not fluent.
Health requirements: No special health requirements.
Age limit: 12+
Tuition: No
Included: Full board accommodation, riding and English speaking guide. Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Use of facilities at the house including tennis, swimming, a lake for boating and fishing, a classified trout stream, mountain bikes, table tennis and croquet. Local transfers
Not included: Flights, transfers, travel and medical insurance. Telephone and fax which are charged at cost.
Travel Information
This ride is very accessible from the UK. The house is only 20 minutes from Bergerac airport.
Ryanair fly from various airports (London Stansted, Liverpool, Bristol and East Midlands in the UK as well as Charleroi near Brussels). Flybe flies from Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Edinburgh, Manchester and London Gatwick. Jet 2 flies from Leeds Bradford and Transavia flies from Rotterdam.
There are also direct flights to Bordeaux with British Airways, Easy Jet, BMI Baby and Flybe from London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester and from Cork in Ireland with Ryanair and Dublin with Aer Lingus. Also flights with Air France through Paris. Bordeaux airport to the Bourdil is quite straightforward, either by cab, or by bus and train taking between one and two hours.
Train is also a great way to travel here.
From St. Pancras (London) you can either take a train to:
(a) Paris Gare du Nord and then cross Paris by metro or cab and take a train from Paris Montparnasse direction Bordeaux, changing at Libourne to then catch a train to Bergerac.
(b) Lille and change to a train to Bordeaux, again getting off at Libourne and changing trains to Bergerac.
Transfers from Bergerac airport and train station are included.
Airport: Bergerac
Alternative Airport: Bordeaux
Programme
Week Programme
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From the moment you leave the stables (in the grounds of the beautiful manor where you will be staying) you will be riding through thousands of hectares of the region's most beautiful private estates. Following trails which take you through a countryside of thick forests, hidden valleys, vineyards and meadows, you will soon be convinced that you are the 'duc' or 'duchesse' of all you survey; and to prove it, you'll come across no other horses or riders, and hardly a gate to open all day long. Here they have taken great care to plan the rides - different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters, as well as lazy relaxing walks, when you'll have time to share your experiences with your guide and companions. (Please note that they are trying to keep riding on tarmac to a minimum, although there is some on quiet country lanes.) Around 12.30 each day you will stop for an hour or so to rest the horses and enjoy a marvellous picnic lunch, which is served in the grounds of, or inside, the private chateau whose land you are riding through. Lunch will have been freshly prepared by their own chef, Bernadette, and will typically consist of various country salads, regional delicacies (including foie gras), locally baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines. They encourage any non-riders in the party to join the riders for the lunchtime feast, so that they too can experience the chateau lifestyle and catch up with news of the morning's adventures! After lunch and a well-earned rest, both horses and riders are relaxed and ready to continue on the day's ride. (They obviously try to ensure that rides do not double back on themselves, however in some instances this is unavoidable.) Itinerary:
Day 1:
You will be met at the railway station or the airport in Bergerac and transferred to the manor house for dinner and to settle in for the week or you can arrive directly by car to the house at around 17.00. Day 2:
After a delicious breakfast, you will be introduced to the horses that have been selected to match your riding experience and ability at 9:30 a.m. in the paddock behind the house. Antoine is an expert at matching riders with a suitable horse. You will then leave for the Issigeac street market which is great fun and full of local colour, returning to the Bourdil Blanc for lunch and then take a short afternoon trail ride across this wild region of forests (la Forêt du Landais) followed by drinks and dinner at the manor house. Day 3:
Breakfast will be served in the house before you mount up and set off riding. Today's route will take you through the village of Lamonzie Montastrue and across la Forêt de Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube with its formal gardens, then onto the pretty village of Saint Marcel du Perigord. You will stop here for a picnic lunch near a stream. After lunch you will ride onto Pressignac-Vicq, where the horses will stay overnight. You will return to the house where Bernadette will cook a delicious typical local dish accompanied by some great local wines. Day 4:
After breakfast you will be driven back to Pressignac-Vicq to meet the horses. Today's ride will take you down to the Dordogne river - a spectacular ride with wonderful views. You will stop on the bank of the river for a drink and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you will ride back to Pressignac-Vicq by a sharply contrasting route with the opportunity for a few good canters. You will be driven back to the house for a well earned drink before dinner. Day 5:
After breakfast you will return to the horses and ride them back home through the forests to the manor. You will stop for a delicious picnic lunch along the way arriving back at the manor in time to change and relax before enjoying another delicious dinner. Day 6:
Today you will set off on a morning ride through the forests and vineyards either to Chateau Tiregand (owned by the Saint-Exupéry family, one of whom wrote the well known children’s book, 'Le Petit Prince') or to Les Terres Vielles. Both produce excellent local wines and there will be time for an informal and informative wine tasting session before riding back to the manor for lunch. The afternoon is free for sightseeing or to relax. Jane, your host, will discuss the options and will happily arrange group visits to local sites of interest, book restaurants and organise hire cars - or you can just relax at the house, using the heated swimming pool and tennis court or perhaps trying the boat on the lake - the choice is yours. Dinner is not included today and will be eaten out, either on the way back from the places you visit or you will be driven to a local restaurant, or even at the manor house if someone wants to cook! Day 7:
After breakfast, you will take a stroll from the dining room to the stable yard to mount up for your last day’s riding. Today's route will take you through the Caudeau Valley, visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont Beauregard and passing the Chateau de la Gaubertie. You will stop at another idyllic picnic site en route. After lunch you will return to the manor house for drinks and a farewell dinner. Day 8:
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Bergerac railway station or airport, or you may wish to visit Bergerac street market in the morning for some local shopping before your departure. Please note that the Itinerary may vary due to unavoidable circumstances. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Strong intermediate - riders should be comfortable at walk, trot and canter on a forward-going horse in open countryside. Riders should be fairly fit to spend 4 - 6 hours in the saddle on the long riding days. |
| Type of ride: | Based with daily trails |
| Total riding time: | Approximately 5 and a half days of riding during a full week (4 - 6 hours of riding each full day). |
| Departure dates: | 2012 Dates: 28 April-5 May, 12-19 May, 26 May-2 June, 16-23 June, 30 June-7 July, 8-15, 22-29 September, 13-20 October, 27 October-3 November, 10-17 November. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
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