FRANCE A LA CARTE
Horse-riding breaks breaks in France

CAHORS VINEYARDS - the details

dates:

August 3rd to 9th

September 14th to 20th

September 28th to October 4th

Prices:
for Riders: €1890 (base 2 sharing double or twin room)
for non-riding companions: €1470
single supplement: €350

The price includes:
* 6 overnights in comfortable hotels or chateaux (base 2 sharing)
* full-board for 6 days
* 5 days horse-riding (5 to 6 hours per day)
* boat ride and wine-tastings

Transfers:
Agen railway station to hotel at 4pm - €40
Toulouse airport: €170 (one-way)
Bergerac airport: €100 (one-way)

Weight limit: 210 lbs. (95 kgs.)
Length of Ride: 7 days, 6 nights, 4 full days riding, 1 day sightseeing
Amount of Riding Each Day: 5 - 6 hours
Accommodation: 3 to 4 star
Group size: Minimum 1 rider, Maximum 7 riders
Pace: Moderate
Riding Ability: Intermediate
Meeting Point: Agen Railway station at 4pm

BOOKING ENQUIRIES

Lords of the Vineyard

a tour of the Cahors vineyards on horseback

Unlike many of the other well-known wine regions of France, the Cahors vignoble is located in one of the most beautiful and varied areas of the country. You will be riding through this famous wine region which boasts over 200 vineyards and is redolent with history and scenery. The route winds through vineyards, forests and farmland, past mediaeval villages, chateaux, and Gallic fortifications, stopping each night at three and four-star accommodation. Even if you are not a wine drinker, this tour has been designed to please and pamper just about anyone. The accommodation and food are superb, the trails and scenery unforgettable, and the opportunity to do it all on horseback makes this a truly unique experience.

ITINERARY

Day 1: You will be greeted upon arrival at Agen railway station and taken to your hotel, a traditional and comfortable, country hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: After breakfast and allocation of the horses at the hotel, you will ride through the countryside to the fortified town of Tournon d'Agenais, perched at the top of a hill with a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. After a wonderful picnic lunch below the village ramparts, continue on to the Chateau de Chambert, set high on the hillsides of South Quercy near the old Quercynois village of Floressas. This will be your first opportunity for wine tasting and a visit to an award-winning Cahors vineyard that has been producing Cahors wine since the 12th century. After the visit and wine tasting, you will be transferred a short distance to your country hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: The ride continues back at the Chateau de Chambert, through the forests and hillsides of the area to reach the Lot valley, where you will stop at the Chateau de Grezels for a picnic lunch beside this mediaeval castle. Overlooking the Lot valley and many of the Cahors vineyards, the view from the castle gives a wonderful preview of the days to come. After lunch, the ride continues down into the valley, crossing through vineyards and over the Lot River before climbing into the hills again. You will spend the evening at a very quiet, secluded château where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the chateau's wine at a private dinner.

Day 4: Today we take a break from riding and head off for some sightseeing and shopping in the town of Cahors - founded in the 1st century BC. Our first stop within Cahors is at the Pont Valentré bridge - classed as a Major site on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The only fortified bridge with 3 towers in the world, the Pont Valentré is the symbol of Cahors. After a visit of the bridge, guests will enjoy a short boat cruise around the town, where they will have the opportunity to see Cahors from a different perspective, nestled in a giant loop of the Lot river. In the afternoon, after lunch in a downtown café, guests will have time to do some of their own sightseeing and shopping in the beautiful and historic downtown before returning to the Chateau for another meal in the private dining room.

Day 5: Your ride continues in the wooded hills north of the Lot valley, stopping off at the Domaine du Theron for lunch and a private wine tasting. This charming vineyard was given a new lease on life when, in 1997, it was taken over by an entrepreneur and lover of French wines. The most modern vineyard in the Lot region, Domaine du Theron offers outstanding wines and an equally beautiful view from the doors of the winery. After lunch, the ride continues back into the valley before finishing at another lovely chateau for the evening. This old chateau has been renovated as a guesthouse and offers another opportunity to relax around the pool or soak your muscles in the Jacuzzi.


Day 6: Today’s ride continues along the river and in the valley, passing through the beautiful village of Albas. After crossing the river, you will have an opportunity for a long canter before stopping at another lovely bastide, Castlefranc, for lunch. Picnic on the banks of the Lot River, below the walls of this old bastide once belonging to the Bishop of Cahors. The afternoon's ride will take you back up onto the plateau, offering some spectacular views of the valley and vineyards below. Finishing at Chateau LaGrezette, you will have the chance to be able to taste what is considered the best of the best Cahors wines. After the tasting, you will be transferred to the nearby Chateau de Mercues for a special farewell dinner. This 13th century castle, perched on a promontory overlooking the Lot River and vineyards below, was once the favorite residence of the Bishops of Cahors. The chateau has recently returned to its vocation as a wine-producing estate, while also being converted into a four-star hotel and restaurant.

Day 7: After breakfast and a last chance to enjoy the chateau grounds, transfer to Cahors Railway Station.