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Burgundy Morvan

Overview

The 'Morvan' is a green island in the heart of Burgundy which became a natural reserve thanks to the efforts of the local community. The diverse landscape is known for its rolling hills, large forests, rivers, lakes and characteristic villages. There are uncountable miles of unpaved country roads w…

Highlights

  • Ride endurance horses through the heart of Burgundy
  • Enjoy canters and gallops that last several minutes
  • Discover waterfalls, forests and picturesque villages
  • Explore the defensible hill town of Vezelay
  • Enjoy classically French regional meals and wines

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 12 riders per group
  • Average of 5 - 6 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 95kg / 210 lbs / 15 stone - please note that there are limited horse options for riders over 90kg and acceptance on the ride will depend on rider's height and riding ability.
    more info

Description

The 'Morvan' is a green island in the heart of Burgundy which became a natural reserve thanks to the efforts of the local community. The diverse landscape is known for its rolling hills, large forests, rivers, lakes and characteristic villages. There are uncountable miles of unpaved country roads which are perfectly suited for a riding trail.

The horses are all endurance horses, most of which were born and raised with your hosts. These are sporty horseback rides and the pace is high! You will cover 40-50km each day with an average of 9km/hr. Some of the canters and gallops last several tens of minutes across varied terrain on bridlepaths in the hearts of forests and across scrubland.

Our partners here also transfer their horses to Brittany/Normandy for trails there, and to the Alsace for another trail, so be sure to check those out too if these dates don't suit you.

A back-up vehicle carries your luggage and meets you each lunchtime so you can easily access your belongings if needed.

Horses & Riding

Tack

The horses are ridden in endurance or trail saddles which are lighter and more comfortable for long days in the saddle. Bridles are simple leather English style, or lightweight synthetic endurance ones and feature either a traditional bit (snaffle, gag, etc) or are bitless, with a setup similar to a hackamore.

Horses

The horses are Anglo-Arab and part-bred Arabs. They are all endurance-trained and are, therefore, incredibly fit for the purpose of these long-distance rides. Their incredible stamina coupled with their level-headedness and comprehensive training means that you are guaranteed to experience a truly pleasurable ride with plenty of long canters and easy gallops, rarely found anywhere else in the world. They are stabled at Jean and Amelie's home stables in Morvan but transported to other parts of France when the couple are running trails elsewhere.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Morvan Trail is a trail ride

Ages

18 years and older

Health

General good health and fitness

Weight

95kg / 210 lbs / 15 stone - please note that there are limited horse options for riders over 90kg and acceptance on the ride will depend on rider's height and riding ability.

Food & Accommodation

Food

All meals are included and are typically French and of the region.

Breakfast is classically French with tea, coffee and bread with butter and jams.
Lunch is always laid out on a table and may include a hot dish or various salads with cheese and dessert.
Dinner will be a regional speciality and three/four courses including a start, main, dessert and cheese. The main could be either meat or fish.

Vegetarians and some allergies can be accommodated with advance notice.

Drinks are included with lunch but payable locally with dinner.

Accommodation

You stay in a mixture of different hotels and guesthouses, ranging from a simple Auberge to a castle! Most of the hotels are 2 or 3 star depending on what is available in the area.

Itineraries

Morvan Trail Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Non-riders are welcome to join but will need their own vehicle. Special activities are not offered, but non-riders are free to explore the area. Breakfast and dinner with the group is included, but lunch can be sourced locally.

Travel

You should arrive by train into Autun station, which is 300km south of Paris and 200km north of Lyon. The train (TGV) takes c. 1 hour 20 mins from Paris and c. 40 minutes from Lyon.

Included pick up will be at set times;
The arrival transfer will depart no later than 6 pm.
Departure transfers will leave straight after breakfast and you can expect to be back in Autun by 10 am at the latest.

Testimonials

Jonathan A., Aug. 22, 2022

Fantastic riding, with quite wonderful horses that are fit beyond belief! The horses are quite simply incredible!


Debbie, Aug. 22, 2022

The trip was amazing!!!! Can’t describe how great it was! The horses are so well trained and it's an absolute joy to ride them. The food was very good and the accommodations were absolutely ok. The day was always packed and after it we fall asleep like stones. The amount of canters is incredible and it was just so much fun to ride in such a pace. I loved my horse and was very sad to leave her.


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

You should aim to arrive at the train station of Autun in the afternoon and will then be transferred to Sommant. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Day 2

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Meet your horses and set off on your trail in the direction of Lac des Settons, passing through the picturesque village of Vignerux and the woods of Anost, famous for the finest hams. Stop deep in the forest for a picnic lunch and then continue until reaching the lake at Planchez. Follow the lakeshore until reaching your accommodation in an interesting hotel which overlooks the lake. Dinner at the hotel

Day 3

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Today you will cross numerous creeks and rivers before climbing the mountain of Perouse, showing the versatility of your mounts. The view from the top is spectacular. In the middle of a thick forest you find the Waterfall of Gouloux and then follow mountain creeks and wild streams to reach Dun les Places where you have dinner and overnight in a cozy Auberge (guesthouse).

Day 4

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

It's your longest day in the saddle today and you will cover almost 50km (40 miles). You will have bonded with your horse by now so will enjoy all the fast canters and gallops along the Cure River, the wildest and most important river in the region. Upon reaching the northern border of the national park the scenery opens up to reveal meadows and field. Eventually you reach Vezelay, which is located along the Jacobs Pilgrim Trail to Santiago de Compostella. It was here that the 'Holy Bernard of Clairvaux' challenged his followes to the second crusade in the 12th century. Dinner and overnight at the Relais du Morvan in the town centre.

Day 5

Riding: 3 hours

In the morning you visit Vezelay before continuing your ride to Pierre Perthuis with its world famous bridges where you stop for a picnic. Todays shorter ride of 40km (c. 25 miles) will be covered as a quick and fast three hour ride until reaching the Castle of Lantilly where you have dinner and overnight. There is the possibility to visit Vauban's Castle Bazoches if you have time.

Day 6

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Follow the Yvonne river in the direction of Chateau Chinon. Stop for lunch beside a lake where both horses and riders can take a swim! Finally you reach the medieval town of Chateau Chinon which is worth a stroll through before dinner at your hotel.

Day 7

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Ride in the direction of Bibracte, following ancient forest trails which have remained unchanged for centuries. Ascend to the highest point of the trail - the 800m Beuray mountain. Here lies one of the most important archaeological digs in France relating to the Gall and Roman occupation. After lunch you reach your destination - Saint Leger sous Beuvray for dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Day 8

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Today you ride back into the higher mountains from the start of your trail, past castles and through creeks and rivers. Your horses will know they are heading home so the day will finish with fast paces! A farewell dinner is provided at the same hotel as you started.

Day 9

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast head back to the station for your train home.

Experience Experienced

You need to be a capable rider who is used to long hours in the saddle at a decent pace. Some days you cover 40-50km at a pace of 9km/hr so you should expect long trots and canters, sometimes lasting for several tens of minutes.
Minimum group size 6
Maximum group size 12
Departure windows

May 27, 2023 - June 4, 2023

July 15, 2023 - July 23, 2023

Sept. 9, 2023 - Sept. 17, 2023

Pricing

2023
Rider, sharing		 £1555 $1880 €1750
Included 8 nights accommodation in shared rooms, all meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day, drinks with breakfast and lunch, 7 days of riding, set time transfers from and to Autun train station
Not included Flights, train tickets, personal travel insurance, drinks with dinners, tips and personal expenses

Extras

2023 - Single Supplement £355 $430 €400
Paid to Far and Ride
Only payable to guarantee a single room
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.