Adventures on Horseback: FRANCE 2008

France 2008
Cheverny and Huntsmen	Christine Chauvin (Ltd.) 430 East 56th Street New York, NY 10022 Tel: 212 421-0671 Fax: 212 935-0559 e-mail: christine@adventuresonhorseback.com
FRANCE Chateaux Of The Loire River Valley An Exclusive Ride through a Historical playground for Kings May 24 / 31 – 2008 Introduction The Loire valley, world famous for its beautiful chateaux has long been described as exemplifying “la douceur de vivre”. It combines a leisurely pace of life, a mild climate, mellow wines and the gentle ways of its inhabitants. The overall impression is one of an unostentatious taste for good things in life. Our ride mainly takes place in the central Loire Valley notorious for its vast forests and marshlands of the Sologne, once the hunting grounds of nobles and kings. Still a secretive region of small quiet villages and low half timbered brick farmhouses it remains a paradise for hunters and fishermen, where few other visitors venture. During the Renaissance, magnificent hunting lodges were built throughout the area by the French Royals; the great Chambord, the sumptuously furnished Cheverny and the beautifully romantic Chenonceau to name only a few. This ride will take us through History as well as incredibly picturesque countryside. The wonderful sandy terrain of the region allows for many exhilarating canters. This is medium to fast paced ride! To stay in keeping with the title of the ride, the accommodation will mostly be in small, charming, privately owned chateaux! THE RIDE Sat. May 24 - Meet at the train station of BLOIS at a pre-set time and transfer to the charming converted farmhouse of La Rabouillere for the night. Dinner in a nearby farmhouse / restaurant.o/n La Rabouillere Sun. May 25 - After breakfast, meet and connect with your horse! A leisurely two-hour ride through the dreamy Sologne will bring us to the privately owned Chateau de Chemery, in the grounds of which our picnic lunch will have been set-up. After a short rest, we resume our ride through the woods and lagoons of the Sologne to the banks of the Cher river where we will leave the horses for the night. Short vehicle transfer to the Prieuré de la Chaise, our home for the next two nights. Dinner and overnight. Prieuré de la Chaise Tue. May 27 - Breakfast and pack before riding to the magnificent chateau of Chenonceau. Picnic in the grounds of the chateau followed by a visit of this jewel of Renaissance architecture. The rest of the afternoon is spent riding through the forest of “Amboise” until we reach Sauvigny de Touraine where the horses remain for the night. Ten-minute car transfer to the majestic Chateau de Pray overlooking the Loire river. Dinner and overnight Chateau de Pray Wed. May 28 – Today we ride along the Loire river to the 15th century Chateau de Chaumontwhere we will have our picnic lunch. Short rest and visit of the chateau before continuing along the Loire to the small hamlet of Cande Beuvron where we leave the horses for the night. Vehicle transfer to the charming Chateau du Breuil, nestled in a 30ha (60 acres) woodland which will be our home for the next two nights. Gastronomic Dinner & overnigh t Chateau du Breuil Friday May 29 Having re-connected with our horses after a lavish breakfast, we leave the Loire river riding over hill and dale to the small fortified castle of Fougeres sur Bievre where we stop for our picnic lunch.We then continue on to the Chateau du Breuil where this time our horses will stay with us for the night.The Latter part of the afternoon will be spent visiting the elegant and beautifully furnished Chateau de Cheverny with its spectacular grounds, stables, kennels... The Cheverny Hunt, which rides twice a week in winter, is famous throughout the Sologne. Gastronomic Dinner and overnight Chateau du Breuil Friday May 30 Our last day’s ride brings us back to the heart of the Sologne.After our picnic lunch in the grounds of the Chateau de Villesavin, we ride on to the spectacular chateau de Chambord. Through special permission and in the company of the Forest warden we will have the privilege of riding through the huge private forested domain of the chateau which is closed to the general public and abounds in wildlife. We end our ride in front of this magnificent chateau that was built as a hunting lodge for King Francois 1er.This is where we say goodbye to our horses! Vehicle transfer (15mn) to the delightful Chateau de la Rue located on the other side of the Loire river. Farewell dinner and overnight Chateau de la Rue Saturday May 31 Breakfast at leisure and take advantage of the beautiful park of the chateau de la Rue; OR …. optional excursion suggested: After breakfast, return to the Chateau de Chambord (15mn drive) to watch the 1 hour Equestrian Show (starts 11.45 AM) where Horsemen in period costume mounted on horses from theMarechal de Saxe stables relate the castle history and various scenes of everyday life of the Renaissance, and 17th/18th centuries. Here the Horse is King! After the show one can visit the Chateau. Transfer to Blois train station at a pre-set time for your return to Paris. End of Services ACCOMDATIONS LA RABOUILLERE – Contres Tel. +33 (0)2 5479 5939 In the heart of the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, 6 km from Cheverny, this attractive Sologne residence combines half-timbering and old tiling in a quiet and rustic setting brimming with flowers. PRIEURE DE LA CHAISE 8 rue du Prieuré – 41400 St. Georges sur Cher Tel +33 (0)2 5432 5977 A 16th century Priory with a 12th century chapel and wooded park on a wine growing estate close to Chenonceau. A delightful place to stay and relax in the company of the charming owners. CHATEAU DE PRAY 37400 Amboise – Tel. +33(0)2 4757 2367 The majestic Chateau de Pray named after Geoffroy de Pray in 1244 is perched on terraced slopes overlooking the Loire river. The numerous towers bear witness to its past role as a stronghold. It was not until the Rennaissance that the chateau became a place of residence. It then changed hands a number of times over the next 300 years, each owner leaving his personal stamp on the place. In the 20th century the wife of the writer Alphonse Daudet lived here. It was one of the first chateaux to be opened to guests offering an inimitable “art de vivre” in a unique setting steeped in history. CHATEAU DU BREUIL Route de Fougères - 41700 CHEVERNY Bernard et Margot GATTOLLIAT Tel. +33 (0)2 5444 2020 Fax: +33 (0)2 5444 3040 Email: info@chateau-du-breuil.fr This 18th century chateau was built on the site of a 15th century stronghold as attest the tower and a moat at the entrance. It was further enhanced in the 19th century when a chapel with a beautiful stained glass window was also added. Nestled in a magnificent 30 ha woodland where a rich variety of fauna and flora abound, the Chateau was transformed into a charming chateau-hotel in 1987. Under the new ownership of Bernard and Margot Gattoliat it has recently undergone a complete and tasteful renovation combining sophisticated comfort with elegance. CHATEAU DE LA RUE Véronique de Caix 41500 Fleury Cour-sur-Loir (Loir-et-Cher), France Tel. 02 54 46 82 47 Fax: 02 54 46 88 17 The Château de la Rue, entirely restored recently, is a magnificent 18th century residence set in an enchanting orchard of 750 trees that includes many rare old species as well as beautiful flowers. This is where the owner Véronique de Caix (she was born here) invites you to enjoy a relaxing break and discover the art of living. Elegant furnishings and the warm atmosphere of this family home coupled with discreet hospitality all contribute to a memorable stay. And those delicious home made jams….! COST $3,800* per person, sharing, on a basis of 10 riders. ($500 single supplement) Includes - 7 nights/ 6 days of riding, accommodation in small charming chateaux, all meals unless otherwise specified, wine with meals, vehicle back up, local transfers, horses and all riding equipment, visits of certain chateaux. Excludes - International/domestic flights, personal medical / travel insurance (compulsory), items of a personal nature such as drinks outside of meals, laundry, telephone calls, and tips for the guide. *This amount is based on the rate of exchange at the time of writing (October 07) and subject to change if the US Dollars weakens further against the Euro. For further information about this ride please call Christine at (1) 212-421 0671, or email christine@adventuresonhorseback [Return to Tour Schedule]

	LA RABOUILLERE PRIEURE DE LA CHAISE CHATEAU DE PRAY CHATEAU DU BREUIL CHATEAU DE LA RUE
Christine Chauvin (Ltd.) 430 East 56th Street New York, NY 10022 Tel: 212 421-0671 Fax: 212 935-0559 e-mail: christine@adventuresonhorseback.com [Return to Tour Schedule]