Day 1
Riding: No riding.
Arrival at Montrichard train station in time for group transfer, strictly at 6.00 pm, to the hotel you will be spending the night in. Those arriving by car are welcome to arrive in Pontlevoy earlier in the afternoon and can spend some time resting or exploring the town.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel l'Auberge de l'Ecole in Pontlevoy (or similar).
Day 2
Riding: 4 - 6 hours
Following breakfast, it will be time for a short briefing and an introduction to the horses. The morning will see you riding toward the village of Fougères-sur-Bièvre where a tasty lunch awaits you at the foot of the village's fortified castle. The structure was built in the late 15th century. In the afternoon you will head toward the beautifully furnished chateau of Cheverny - which will also welcome you to visit within its walls. The castle has been owned by the same family for over six centuries. From the Botancial Park to the splendid interior of the chateau and Tintin exhibition you can discover the authentic heritage that is still very much evident.
Dinner and overnight at the same hotel as last night.
Day 3
Riding: 3 hours
In the morning, you will meet your horses and ride through Cheverny forest, between wooded paths and wild moorland where you may be lucky enough to spot deer and hares. Stop for lunch at Villesavin castle (16th century), which was built by the same master craftsmen who built the great royal residences and has been very well preserved through the centuries. After lunch you have time to visit the castle before heading to your hotel to rest.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel de Cygne (or similar) in Bracieux.
Day 4
Riding: 4 - 6 hours
Today you will ride to Chambord, which is the largest of the Loire castles. It's an unrivalled feat of architecture with a central double-revolution staircase and set within a vast 5440 hectare nature reserve where the deer still reign. After lunch you can visit the chateau before remounting to ride back to Chateau de Villesavin in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in the same hotel in Bracieux.
Day 5
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Today you ride through the forest to Chateau de Beauregard where you stop for a picnic lunch. Formerly Chambord's hunting lodge, it was built on the orders of Francois I and is famous for its Galerie des Portraits. A monumental work of 3 generations it features 327 portraits of illustrious figures, a remarkable lapis lazuli ceiling (7 times the value of gold) and an exceptional paving of 5600 Delft earthenware tiles. After visiting the chateau you set off on horseback to the village of Cande-sur-Beuvron.
Dinner and final night in Bracieux.
Day 6
Riding: 3 hours
The ride today takes you along the banks of the Loire river to Chaumont sur Loire. A charming village, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chaumont is also famous for its feudal castle which dominates the valley and village. Picnic where you leave the horses and then have a free afternoon to explore the Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire on foot. Dating from the late 15th century it illustrates both the defensive architecture of the Gothic period and the pleasure architecture of the Renaissance. Don't miss the 19th century stables, considered the most luxurious in Europe at the time.
Dinner and overnight at hotel l'Hostellerie du Chateau in Chaumont sur Loire, situated at the foot of the chateau.
Day 7
Riding: 4 - 6 hours
After breakfast, you will enjoy a long canter through the Amboise forest to reach the Chateau of Chenonceau, built on the Cher River. Named the "Chateau des Dames" in French history it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briconnet and successively embellished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis. Chenonceau was saved from the rigors of the Revolution by Madame Dupin. It is the jewel of the Loire Valley. Have lunch on-site and visit the chateau.
In the early afternoon, leave the banks of the Cher river to reach the horses night stay in Pontlevoy before returning by vehicle to overnight once more in Chaumont sur Loire.
Day 8
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast, you will be transferred together to the train station for your onward travel or to make your way home. (later transfers will not be possible).
* Please note that this is an example itinerary and riding days may be adjusted to accommodate changes in weather, security, technical criteria and other unforeseeable circumstances, at your guides discretion.
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.
