Tour Itinerary

Each day of the trail ride is devoted to a large loop, with the aim of reaching one of the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley, where we stop for a picnic break.

At each place, you can enjoy some free time to rest or visit the castle (any entrance fees to be paid on site). Each castle visit lasts approximately one hour. Each day's trail ride varies depending on the weather and the riders' ability, but they are all magnificent! Return to the stables at the end of the day.

Our different horse riding options

Château de Cheverny (25 km)

Morning in the heart of the great forests of Sologne and its game parks. You may be lucky enough to see deer, does or even wild boar. Enjoy a convivial picnic next to the Cheverny wash house on the edge of the castle walls. It was this estate that inspired Hergé to create the Château de Moulinsart in The Adventures of Tintin. Visit the château (approx. 1 hour) or relax before continuing our ride through the 2,000 hectares of the magnificent Cheverny forest.

Château de Villesavin (30 km)

Morning ride through the Grande Sologne and its many ponds to reach one of the few Poitou donkey farms in France. Villesavin, commonly known as the ‘Chambord construction hut’, was the former home of the Chambord estate manager. Lunch on the castle lawns followed by a free visit of the exterior and/or a guided tour of the interior (optional). Return to the stables via the village of Fontaines en Sologne and its superb 12th-century church.

Château de Chambord (40 km version)

Today we visit the largest and certainly the most prestigious of the châteaux of the Loire Valley: Chambord. Its construction was supervised by François I, and it features a superb double spiral staircase that is unique in France. The morning will take you to the heart of the Grande Sologne and its many ponds. We will cross the National Park, the largest park in Europe with an area of over 50 km², to see the silhouette of the largest castle in the Loire Valley appear between the trees, and reach our picnic spot on the banks of the Nizeron. We will then get back in the saddle to see the castle ‘rise’ between the trees in the middle of the afternoon. Optional visit to the château (approx. 1 hour) or time to relax and have a nap, depending on your preference, before getting back in the saddle and heading back to the stables along the traditional Chemin du Soldat.

Château de Chambord (30 km version)

In this version, we take the paths of the Boulogne National Forest in the morning, arriving at the village of Bracieux and its pretty 17th-century covered market hall at the end of the morning. Picnic at the foot of the village church followed by a coffee break at the Choco'Bar of the famous Max Vauché chocolate factory. In the early afternoon, we enter the National Park, the largest park in Europe with an area of over 50 km², to see the silhouette of the largest castle in the Loire Valley, a 16th-century masterpiece, appear among the trees in the middle of the afternoon. Chambord, whose construction was supervised by François I, houses a superb double spiral staircase that is unique in France. Return to the equestrian centre by car after some free time for an optional visit to the château.

‘Wine and cheese’ day (30 km) - on the 4-day/3-night itinerary only

For this day, you will change theme and discover the regional specialities of the Loire Valley. You will leave the stables at around 9.30 am for a day in the Sologne des Etangs. You will enjoy the sandy paths, ideal for riding, as you make your way to the Banguin goat farm at the end of the morning. You will taste the farm's products accompanied by Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny wines from the Loire Valley before lunch. After a quick visit to the goats, you will be back in the saddle between forests and ponds to return to the stables around 5.30pm.

Other itineraries can also be organised to visit other châteaux, such as Beauregard or Troussay, which are small but full of charm. Or, for something different, you can visit the Max Vauché chocolate factory or spend a day in the heart of the Sologne, far from the madding crowd. The richness of the region allows for a variety of itineraries, so you can come and explore it on horseback again and again!

Important: The itineraries are provided for information purposes only. They may be modified by the organiser depending on the season, weather conditions, access to the castles, or availability in hotels and guesthouses.