A wonderful French chateau set in 100 acres of rolling grounds with on site stables and training centre. The chateau dates from the 19th century and its original features have been lovingly preserved. Modern comforts are blended seamlessly with antique furniture and original art making for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Glorious views from all the windows over rolling countryside or the schooling arenas and all weather gallop. Rooms are individually decorated.
The riding is suitable for all abilities and levels with some super schoolmasters as well as very good tuition and facilities to explore the miles of rolling countryside interspersed with substantial woods. The food is above average with a choice of menus ranging from "market" to "gourmet".
No supplement if rider is willing to share and a sharer can be found.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - CHATEAU IN FRANCE
Short Break programme 3d/2n
Day 1 (Tue-Sat)
Arrive, transfer from station to chateau (about 30min), walk around grounds, relax, "Marche" dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Breakfast, Lessons or riding out by arrangement, light lunch and "Marche" dinner.
Day 3
Breakfast and lessons or riding, light lunch and departure for station (catch the 14:30 train to get to Paris comfortably for the Eurostar to London).
Longer programme 6d/5n
Day 1 Tuesday
Arrive, transfer from station to chateau (about 30min), walk around grounds, relax, "Marche" dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Wednesday
Breakfast, Lessons or riding out by arrangement, light lunch and "Marche" dinner.
Day 3 Thursday
Breakfast, Lessons or riding out by arrangement, light lunch and "Decouverte" dinner.
Day 4 Friday
Free day to explore the area, dinner "a la carte".
Day 5 Saturday
Breakfast, Lessons or riding out by arrangement, light lunch and "a la carte" dinner.
Day 6 Sunday
Breakfast and lessons or riding, light lunch and departure for station (catch the 14:30 train to get to Paris comefortably for the Eurostar to London).
Horses & Riding The chateau has a stable yard with 30 looseboxes. The main activities of the yard are training young thoroughbreds and rehabilitating/schooling horses. In addition there is an instructor full time who gives lessons and looks after the chateau's residential guests. The horses are all very relaxed and friendly and an atmosphere of calm prevails. The mental and physical health of the horses is cared for with great attention to detail.
Riding options on offer include:
Lessons - from beginner to cross country. Your instructor competes in International 3 day events and will be delighted to work out a personal improvement programme. On site facilities include: 2 outdoor all weather arenas, a lunging ring, an 800 meter all weather gallop, a horse walker and jumps. A cross country course is available nearby.
Riding out: for those with less ambition or fitness there are lovely rides on the 100 acre estate or in the immediate surroundings. For those wishing to go faster/further there are 2 large woods nearby with endless opportunities for fast canters.
The coutryside consists of rolling hills and open fields are interpersed with woodlands. There is some roadwork to get to the big forests (about 10-15min), there are many country tracks with good going even in wet weather and local drivers are quick to pull over, switch off engines and wait for the horses to pass by, usually taking the opportunity for a chat - as this area is not so touristed a very friendly atmosphere prevails and tourists are greeted with interest and curiousity.
All tack is English and there is a range of riding helmets available. The horses vary in height from 12hh ponies to 17hh and are well schooled, friendly, always ready for a good canter but equally happy to slow down - most are just as comfortable jumping as hacking. There is no fixed itinerary for this ride. The programme includes 2 hrs riding which can be taken as lessons or riding out. More riding can be booked on site.
On arrival the instructor will discuss your riding programme for the week with you and work out a riding schedule according to your wishes/goals and the other riding centre activities already planned.
Accommodation The chateau is set in the heart of France about a 2 hr train ride south of Paris. It has been lovingly restored in a traditional manner with great attention to detail. The rooms are beautifully appointed, individually decorated and many offer sweeping views. The rooms all have en suite facilities, heated towel rails, flat screen TV's and internet access.
On site facilities include a steam room and spa facility, a heated swimming pool (open June - September), bicycles and billiard table.
We recommend car rental for stays of more than 2 nights and can arange this from the chateau. In the area you can enjoy: several very good vineyards and wineries, visits to reknown gardens in season, nearby historic monuments such as the Abbaye de Souvigny and Chateau de Meillant, a volcano park and family theme park with rides for children. Babysitting can be arranged on site. While, in holiday time, the chateau is ideal for families with slightly older children who are riders (riding is available on ponies for children from 5 years) and can accommodate babies, there is not enough to keep very young children amused for lengthy periods when not riding.
Meals The food is a real highlight of a stay here. Menus " marche", "decouverte" and "gastonomique" are available as well as a la carte dining. The service is professional and the staff very helpful and happy discuss menu choices. Much of the food is grown on site (including fruit) and the rest sourced locally wtih great attention paid to the quality of the produce. The flavours are creatively selected and perfectly blended. In the 2 night package we include the market menu for dinner as well as breakfast and a lighter lunch. The 5 night stays include a "decouverte" and 2 nights a la carte menu as well as 2 nights 'Marche'. The chateau has a very extensive wine cellar with fine wines being a particular interest of the owner. Please click on further details to obtain sample menus or contact us for a sample wine list.
NOTES - CHATEAU IN FRANCE
Relaxing, wellbeing and health at the chateau
With as much or as little excellent riding on tap, the Chateau is ideal for a relaxing pampering break. On site facilities include: tennis courts, bicycles (with extensive mapped routes), boating on the lake, swimming pool, a lovely terrace with sweeping views to relax on, extensive grounds with origional art work.
There is also an onsite spa offering a full service: steam room, massages, body wraps & scrubs, facial and many more.
Most of the food is from the extensive on site vegetable gardens and orchards which are organically managed. Menus follow seasonal availability and many dietary requirements or wishes can be catered for. Ideal for a pampering health break!
The weight limit for this ride is 17 st/242 lb/110 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
2 night package - accommodation in room type selected; all meals with 2 dinners 'Marche'; 2 hrs riding daily for 2 days.
5 night package - accommodation in room type selected; all meals with 2 nights 'Marche', 2 nights 'A La Carte' and 1 night 'Decouverte'; 2 hours riding daily for 4 days.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
All packages - drinks, transfers from Moulin sur Alliers, items of a personal nature.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
17, Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
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