loire valley riding tour
spring & summer 2027 | €2490pp | france
RIDE WILD on a FRENCH castle tour
‘An equestrian escape through France’s Loire Valley - riding between historic chateaux, indulging in local cuisine and staying in handpicked accommodation’
Overview
Discover the Loire Valley on horseback with a luxury castle-to-castle riding tour through one of France’s most iconic regions. Each day brings a mix of long canters across open valleys, riverside tracks and woodland paths, along with guided visits to six of the Loire’s most iconic châteaux.
You’ll ride through historic castle grounds, take in views of vineyards and forests, and explore the region’s grand architecture up close. Evenings are spent in elegant manor houses, mansions and carefully restored châteaux, where you’ll unwind over gourmet meals and local wines.
Along the way, you’ll stop for lunches in small, charming villages, enjoying classic dishes and a relaxed local atmosphere.
This is a journey that blends refined French hospitality with memorable hours in the saddle — a riding holiday designed for those who love culture, comfort and exceptional horses in equal measure.*********
What you need to know
Horse riding in France
€2490 pp shared room (€450 single supplement)
All gourmet meals, drinks, accommodation in luxury hotels, 6 castle visits, riding and transfers during the ride included. *******
2 - 9 April, 31 May - 7 June (2 spaces remaining), 28 June - 5 July, 9 - 16 July, 30 August - 6 September 2027
8 days & 7 nights (6 days riding)
3.5 - 4 hours riding everyday
Riding around renaissance castles and visiting on foot
Shared 3 and 4* hotel accommodation
Generous and friendly hosts
OVERVIEW
Dates: 2 - 9 April, 31 May - 7 June (2 spaces remaining), 28 June - 5 July, 9 - 16 July, 30 August - 6 September 2027
Price: €2490pp
Location: France
Operator: Equinature
Riding level: Advanced and experienced. Able to control horse in a group up to a canter within open spaces.
Max group size: 10
Time in the saddle: 3.5 - 4 hours a day
Horses: Franches-Montagnes & Arabian x Franches-Montagnes.
Weight limit: 85kg
Currency: Euros
Saddle type: English
Airport: Paris
Adventure level:
Need to know
Accommodation during the trip in twin hotel rooms
All activities including riding and 5 castle visits
Gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transfers during the ride
What’s included:
Flights into and out of France
Accommodation outside of the trip
Drinks during meals
Tips / gratuities.
Travel & medical insurance (this is mandatory)
Transfers before/after the ride
Single room supplement 450 EUR
What’s excluded:
Food: Breakfast will be had at your hotel everyday. Lunch will be picnics or in small restaurants in charming villages. Dinner will 3 course meals had in the hotel restaurants.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is in 3 and 4* hotels along the way with spas, swimming pools and gourmet restaurants within. This is where you will have many of your evening meals too.
Accommodation and food
The horses at Cheval et Chateaux are the highlight of the holiday. They are calm, confident and reliable, a result of excellent horsemanship and training by Ken and Sophie. Lots of their horses were born at home making them truly a part of the family.
Most of their horses are beautiful Franches-Montagnes and Arabian x Franches-Montagnes.
They all live stabled next to their friends with low walls allowing them to socialise and groom each other. They also spend time out in the fields together and live a very happy life with time off between rides and no work between November - March.
Find out more about the horses are cared for here.
Horses
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding boots
Light and loose layers of clothing.
A light rain jacket
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
A power pack for charging your phone
A charging adapter
A book for entertainment
Toiletries (remember lip balm, hand cream and moisturiser), towel, jodphurs etc
Camera gear
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
What to pack:
Apply to join this ride:
Itinerary
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You’ll arrive at La Clef des Chateaux where you’ll have your briefing and a dinner. This is where you’ll sleep for the night before beginning your journey tomorrow.
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You’ll start your journey from Chambord along the Grand Canal with a spectacular view of the Château. You’ll enjoy the beautiful sand paths of Boulonge and Chambord forest before you ride back to Chateâu de Chambord for a royal lunch.
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Château de Chambord which is the largest and most magnificent of all the Loire valley castles. It was ordered to be built by Francis the 1st and finished in 1519. You’ll stay and have dinner in Chateau de la Borde again.
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You’ll begin your ride to Chateau de Beauregard via the Boulonge forest. You have the privilege of entering via the front gate of the chateau which is an unforgettable experience. You’ll visit Chateau de Beauregard and its famous ‘Gallerie des illustres’ which has been intact since the 17th century. For lunch, it’s a gourmet picnic in Chateau de Beauregard.
In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a lovely ride from Chateau de Beauregard via the forest of Sologne, extensive countryside and the Cheverny vineyards region. You’ll then be driven to Cheverny castle for a visit, viewing lots of its renaissance furniture. You’ll sleep and dine in either Relais de trois châteaux or Relais des Landes
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Today you’ll ride from Chaumont village through the Loire valley countryside to reach the Beuvron river. You’ll have lunch in a lovely local restaurant and then enjoy a short ride through Touraine towards the Château of Chaumont sur Loire which you’ll visit alongside its famous international garden festival. You’ll have dinner and sleep at Le Clos d’Amboise
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You’ll start your day on the Loire banks in Mosnes before you ride along the river, appreciating its beautiful biodiversity, classified in UNESCO’s world inheritance. Lunch will be in a local restaurant in Chargé, a charming village.
In the afternoon, you’ll ride to Chateau d’Amboise by the Loire valley with a special arrival on horseback by the medieval King’s gate. Your gourmet dinner and night stay will be in Chateau de Noizay
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You’ll start your last day with a visit of the castle, appreciating its gorgeous furniture and decorations. You’ll then begin your last ride on Cher banks with its amazing view Chenonceau castle’s famous arches. Lunch will follow in l’Orangerie of the château.
You’ll finish the week with some free time in Amboise to visit the lovely château of Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo Da Vinci, or the old town and its lovely gift shops. You’ll have a goodbye drink with your guide in Amboise and your last dinner and night stay will be in Chateau de Noizay again.
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You’ll have breakfast in Chateau de Noizay before you depart. Transfers to nearby train stations / beyond are not included.
Apply to join this ride:
why riders love this ride
The chance to visit 5 châteaux.
Beautiful riding through the Loire Valley countryside.
Delicious local meals.
Stylish and charming accommodation 3 and 4* hotels.
A refined holiday with a mix of culture & comfort.
this ride is right for you if:
You like learning about the culture of countries you visit ✔
You like enjoying a mix of riding and other activities ✔
You enjoy gourmet meals ✔
You like exploring historic castles ✔
You like riding with scenic views ✔
About the loire valley
The Loire Valley is a picturesque area in central France, stretching along the Loire River and its tributaries. It is renowned for its rolling vineyards, fertile farmland, and charming towns, creating a landscape that is both scenic and historically rich.
The region is particularly famous for its châteaux, which range from medieval fortresses to elegant Renaissance palaces, many of which are set within extensive gardens and parklands. These castles reflect centuries of French history, art, and architecture, offering insight into the lives of the nobility who once lived there.
Alongside the historic sites, the Loire Valley’s rivers, forests, and gentle countryside provide a sense of open space and natural beauty, making it a region where cultural heritage and landscape combine.
Weather: what to expect
The Loire Valley in France has a temperate climate with relatively mild winters and warm summers. Daytime temperatures in summer typically range from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F), while winter temperatures usually sit between 3°C and 10°C (37°F to 50°F). Spring and autumn are generally mild and comfortable, with moderate rainfall and pleasant conditions for exploring the countryside and the region’s famous châteaux.
frequently asked questions
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what kind of experience can i expect?
This is a refined and memorable riding holiday that combines scenic hacking with the charm of the Loire Valley. It is ideal for riders looking for a trip that feels both immersive and indulgent.
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what is the riding pace like?
The pace is generally varied, with a mixture of relaxed riding through castle grounds, forests and country lanes, along with opportunities for more forward riding such as canters where the terrain allows.
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what is the accommodation like?
Accommodation is one of the highlights of this tour, with stays in beautiful château-style properties that reflect the elegance and charm of the Loire Valley. You can expect a luxurious and comfortable experience, with excellent hospitality and charming rooms.*******
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how fit do I need to be for this ride?
This is a ride where you need be relatively fit but the riding hours are shorter than some other riding holidays (3.5 - 4).
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who does this ride suit best?
This ride suits someone who wants a mix of riding and exploring the local castles. They won’t mind the shorter riding hours and will be interested in learning more about the history and architecture of the local chateuax.
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what airport should i fly into?
For this ride, the best airport to fly into is Paris (either CDG or ORY).
your guides
The team at Equinature will be your guides and hosts during your trip. Equinature is owned by Ken and Sophie (who also own Cheval et Chateaux, the hosts of the luxury Loire Valley tour option), both incredibly passionate about what they do. Ken is an equine osteopath and since 2015 has dedicated himself to leading the rides and teaching a program for future French riding guides. Ken enjoys sharing as much as he can during the rides and always has a smile on his face.
Sophie, Ken’s wife, has always loved teaching and learning about horse behaviour and she graduated from a horsemanship teaching program in 2014. She is currently the sales and business manager at Cheval et Chateaux (Equinature’s sister company) and her rigorous, friendly and organised nature means she will do everything to make your trip unforgettable.
The horses are truly the star of the show at Equinature, most being Franches-Montagnes and Arabian x Franches-Montagnes. Many were born with Sophie and Ken and they’ve all been trained with them, resulting in calm, happy and confident horses. The horses are stabled next to their friends with low walls, allowing them to groom each other and they all receive time outdoors in the fields together.
How to book
Choose your ride
Submit the application form under ‘request to book’
Wait for us to confirm space with the operator (we aim to get back to you within 24hrs)
Pay your deposit (20%)
Full balance is due 50 days before departure
cancellation policy
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are specific to this ride.
Deposit is refundable until 91 days before departure less a £100 cancellation fee
If you cancel between 90 - 46 days before departure, a 50% fee will be charged
If you cancel less than 45 days before departure, no refund will be provided
why wild mane?
Curated, unforgettable & welfare focused riding holidays
Personal advice and human support from booking to your return home
Clear and transparent booking process with no hidden fees
We work directly with established operators, many who are family run
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