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
Explore the Loire Valley on horseback, riding through one of France’s most beautiful and historic regions. Each day brings a mix of exciting hours in the saddle, open countryside, woodland paths and quiet country lanes, with plenty of opportunities for forward-going riding along the way.
The route takes you past five of the Loire Valley’s famous châteaux, giving you the chance to discover the region’s remarkable history and architecture at your own pace. You’ll also ride through vineyards, forests and rolling countryside, with plenty of time to take in the landscapes that make this area so special.
Evenings are spent in welcoming local hotels and guesthouses, with comfortable accommodation and traditional French food providing a relaxed end to each day. Along the way, you’ll also stop in small villages and local restaurants, giving you a taste of the region beyond its famous castles.
With more time in the saddle, five château visits and the chance to explore the Loire Valley at a more accessible price point, this is a great choice for riders who want to combine plenty of riding with French history, beautiful countryside and local character.
What you need to know
Horse riding in France
€2490 pp shared room (€450 single supplement)
All meals, drinks, accommodation in stylish hotels, 5 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
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 Equinature 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 leave Courmemin for your first day on horseback around 9:00 am. The first morning takes you to the heart of the Grande Sologne and then on the bridleway forest tracks of the Domaine National de Chambord, the largest walled park in Europe, to reach the castle for lunch. Chambord, a jewel of the Renaissance built on the orders of François 1st, is an architectural marvel both in its exterior and in its interiors with its famous double spiral staircase designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. After the free visit of Chambord (about 1h30), you then reach Mont-Près-Chambord where the horses stay. You’ll sleep and have dinner again at hotel La Clef des Châteaux.
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For your second day on horseback, you’ll get saddled up at 9:00 am to head from Tour en Sologne towards the Château de Beauregard where you will have lunch. Beauregard, a small castle from the 15th century, offers you a free visit during which you can admire its Lapis Lazulis ceilings or its Portrait Gallery. After the free visit (about 1 hour), you’ll gradually leave the Sologne to enter Touraine and reach the village of Ouchamps. This day is rich in varied looks and landscapes. You’ll sleep and have dinner at the magnificent Relais des Landes.
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On the fourth day, you’ll discover the charming castle of Fougères sur Bièvre. Departure on horseback from Ouchamps around 9:30 am to reach Fougères at the end of the morning. Built in the 15th century by Pierre De Refuge, treasurer of King Louis XI, this small, perfectly preserved castle, with its unique architecture in the Loire Valley, dates back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Free visit (about 1 hour) followed by lunch. You’ll return on horseback in the afternoon between vineyards and forests to find Ouchamps at the end of the day. You’ll stay and eat again at Relais des Landes.
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You’ll depart from Ouchamps to cross the Beuvron at Candé, and reach the banks of the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the magnificent castle of Chaumont sur Loire which overlooks them. An old medieval fortress remodelled many times over the centuries, Chaumont presents an architecture bearing the marks of the eras it has gone through, but also its superb stables including a circular merry-go-round but also its famous World Garden Festival. Lunch will be near the castle followed by its free visit (about 1h30). You then ride along the Loire Valley to reach the village of Mosnes. Night and dinner at the Domaine des Thomeaux with its Spa or at the Clos d'Amboise in the old town of Amboise (depending on availability).
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You’ll start your 6th day with free time in the old town of Amboise. You can choose between visiting the superb Château du Clos Lucé, former home of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci, housing the museum of his inventions, the royal castle overlooking the Loire or simply strolling through the old town (about 1h30). You then meet the horses to leave Mosnes and the banks of the Loire towards the south-east to reach those of the Cher and the castle of Chenonceau which spans them. This is where the horses will spend the night. For the riders, another night and dinner in transfer at the Domaine des Thomeaux with its Spa or at the Clos d'Amboise in the old town of Amboise (depending on availability).
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You start your last day on horseback with the free visit of the castle of Chenonceau at the opening (about 1h30). Known as the "Ladies' Castle" because it belonged to Diane de Poitiers and Catherine De Medici, this small castle with richly furnished interiors also offers you an architecture in Tuffaut stones, the most famous wing of which remains the one whose arches span the Cher like a bridge. You then depart for a morning along the magnificent banks of the Cher to reach Saint Georges where you will have lunch. Last afternoon back in Val de Cher towards Chenonceau where you will end your journey.
Return by motorbike for a last drink of friendship with your guide before your last night at the Clef des Châteaux in Maslives.
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Free departure after breakfast.
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 properties that reflect the elegance and charm of the Loire Valley. You can expect a 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 (30%)
Full balance is due 65 days before departure
cancellation policy
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are specific to this ride.
Deposit is non refundable
If you cancel between 60 - 30 days before departure, a 50% fee will be charged
If you cancel less than 30 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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