France - Atlantic Coast Trek

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from LC of Aylesbury on 15/10/2024

Day 1
Transfer by minibus at 16:00 at Bordeaux airport and 17:00 at Bordeaux railway station. Arrival at the base at around 19:00 for all riders coming with or without the transfer. Dinner is scheduled for 8:30pm

Day 2
Mimizan - Bias. Enjoy breakfast followed by a rider's meeting and briefing about the week's programme. Riders are transferred to the beach to visit the village and do any shopping required before the trail. Lunch at a restaurant of the rider's choice (not included in the price). Meet the transfer at 13h30 in front of the Tourism office and head back to the Guest House. Afternoon meeting at the stable for a briefing to discuss the itinerary. The ride starts in the arena with a 30 minute session to enable the riders to get used to their horses and practice riding in the French way. It also gives the opportunity to asses the different levels and expectations of each rider and match the perfect horse. There is no nose-to-tail riding during the week, each rider has the opportunity to control their own paces. This way of hacking out helps to avoid the dust made by the riders ahead and choose the speed and pace each rider wants, from slow to quick trot, and from canter to fast gallop. The horses are used to being independent from the others and will walk even when other horses are starting to trot or gallop in front of them. The surroundings are beautiful and the wild landscapes offer sweeping views of the ocean from the dunes. Transfer to the accommodation (10 minutes) to freshen up and relax before dinner. 20 km / 3 hours riding

Day 3
Bias - Contis - St Julien: 5-hours in the saddle discovering forests as well as the coastal landscape with its high sandy dunes (up to 150 meters above sea level). Enjoy the first beach ride either in the morning or the evening, depending on the tides. After breakfast, transfer to meet the horses and start& the trail ride. There is a lunch break and rest before heading back for the evening. Late afternoon transfer to the guest house (10 min) to relax before dinner. 30 km / 5 hours riding

Day 4
St Julien - Levignacq - Lesperon: Enjoy breakfast before transferring to meet the horses. The landscape and nature change each day, offering riders different views of “The Landes”, and wonderful ground for galloping. During the 2 next days, riders spend as much time walking as they do trotting, cantering or galloping. Visit and enjoy lunch in the quaint village of Landes “ Lévignacq “. Take an afternoon adventure trip in the wilds along the river. Arrival at “Moulin de Caremonge” where the horses are left in a field beside a lake for the night. Transfer back to the accommodation (5 min) and relax in the garden or beside the swimming pool before dinner. 35 km / 5 hours riding

Day 5
Lesperon - Mezos - Orvignac: After breakfast, riders explore the surroundings - and wonderful galloping terrain with fine examples of traditional Landes architecture from the 18th century. Stop for lunch and a rest in Mezos before heading through the landscape and riding along the river and an ancient wood. Transfer (10 min) to the accommodation to relax before dinner. 35 km / 5 hours riding

Day 6
Orvignac - Lespecier - Ocean: Today is a half-day rest and half-day ride in the morning (or in the evening, depending on the low tide). After breakfast riders cross the National Littoral Forest to reach the beach and the chance to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and gallop along the beach, with free time to relax. Head back to the guest house for dinner. 19 km / half day ride (4 hours riding)

Day 7
Mimizan Village - Aureilhan Lake - Mimizan Beach: Programme: Enjoy breakfast before joing the horses and setting off on a full day ride in the forest and along protected area of the Aureilhan lake to enjoy lunch. Ride along the river to Mimizan Beach. Forest to the beach for a final sunset ride before heading back toward the guest house. According to the tide schedules, this program can be reversed. 30 km / 5 hours riding

Day 8
Departure after breakfast. A transfer is organised for guests from Mimizan to Bordeaux airport, or Bordeaux railway station. Departure from the guest house according to the flight or train of the first client.

Route and times are indicative and subject to change depending on the general level of the group, weather conditions and tide times.

New Yoga & Pilates 1-hr classes are available to help relax after a day of riding (€55pp / €20 group - need to book in advance, please enquire). Massages 30min €30, 45 min €45 in 2024. Sauna

The trails can confirm for a minimum of 3 people for a small group supplement. As and when more riders book on then this will be refunded.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There are 25 horses of all types available. The majority are Anglo Arabs with some throroughbred and standardbred horses. There are also 12 ponies available for children and younger riders, minimum age is 13 for accompanied children.

Mineral water, hats and chaps are available, but we recommend you bring your own.

This ride is for fit experienced riders onwards. Fast and exciting riding up to 7 hours daily covering 40km each day. Here riders have an opportunity to ride at all paces and take their own line on the beach and through the forest on very fit Anglo Arab horses, ranging in size from 15.3hh to 16.3hh. The saddles are all English with deep seats and are comfortable and well maintained. The horses are schooled in an English style and are very responsive. The numnahs used on trails have saddle bags in them and in addition cantle bags are available for camera, water bottles etc

For the Atlantic Coast Trek, riders should be fit and experienced, able to ride at all paces for up to seven hours daily.
There are many opportunities to trot, canter and gallop and riders are encouraged to take their own line wherever possible and can canter ahead and depart for faster riding singly or in small groups spaced about 50-100m apart. However, you must be able to ride well to manage this on fit, sensitive horses, as any wobbles or hanging on their mouth, will send them off at speed.

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The accommodation is in the on-site guest house 2 minute walk from the Equestrian Centre and 8 minutes by car from the beach. The guest house has a swimming pool for riders use.

There is one guest house with 4 "chambre d'hotes" by the swiming pool offering single/double/twin and a family suite with 2 bedrooms. There is one wooden cottage dormitory with 2 bathrooms for 6 riders beside the swimming pool. There is one annexe with 3 "chembres d'hotes" for 1 to 4 riders + sauna + massage room. There is also one independent house with 3 bedrooms for 1 - 5 riders, 1 bathroom, a large kitchen, living room, a private terrace and enclosed garden.

The rooms are small and neat and each room has an en-suite bathroom. The owners are helpful and friendly.

Please note that during busy periods dormitory rooms may host up to 5 people although it is is possible to book a single room on most dates. Supplements will apply - please enquire. In the event that more than 3 people are sharing a room, each person will receive a rebate on arrival.

The food on the ride is quite basic, but plentiful.

Breakfast is continental with juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, fresh bread of various kinds/croissant, butter and jams (often homemade).

Lunch is usually taken comfortably seated around a table, with a vehicle bringing all needed equipment. It starts with an aperitif (vermouth, muscat wine or pinsat), various dips and tortillas and regional sausages. The next course is a salad with meat e.g. tabouleh with chicken, then a cheese selection with salad, followed by dessert and coffee with chocolate/biscuits.

Dinner is similar affair to lunch with an aperitif, meat, vegetables, salad, cheeses, dessert and coffee course.

Vegan meals can unfortunately not be accommodated.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

The best time to visit this region is from March to November. The Landes region and trail almost always have dry days and when rain falls it is usually in the evening, overnight or before 9am in the morning. This is due to the local sea breezes. Riding is in the extensive shady pine forest or along the beach making for a pleasant temperature even in summer. At the height of summer in late July and August the riding is done early in the morning and the hours before sunset.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in France and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.


Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).

In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

There is electricity to charge batteries in the hotels and gites, however we recommend that all necessary equipment is bought with you or purchased upon arrival in France. You should check with your network provider for mobile phone coverage while in France. If using a GoPro ensure to get the group's permission to be filmed.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384. Helmets are available at the stables if you do not have your own
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
- Fleece - for cooler weather
- Warm layers - at times the evening temperature drops significantly
- Casual Clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Raincoat - it is always a good idea to pack a waterproof/ windproof jacket!
- Sunhat
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera and Spare Batteries/Charger - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- A copy of your passport

Provided by hosts
Riding Helmets

8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days. Set dates throughout the year.

2025 Low season: 23 Feb*; 16, 30 Mar*; 6, 13, 20 Apr; 12, 19 Oct; 9, 23 Nov (*10% Special)
2025 Mid season: 27 Apr; 18 May; 1, 15 Jun; 31 Aug; 14, 28 Sept
2025 High season: 6, 20 Jul; 3, 17 Aug

Depending on availability, rooms may be shared by up to 5 guests. If you would like to guarantee a single or double/twin room supplements will apply.

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The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France - Ina Caro

Theodore Zeldin ‘The French’,

Francoise Sagan ‘Bonjour Tristesse’,

Peter Mayle ‘A Year in Provence’ and ‘Toujours Provence’,

Louis Stevensons ‘Travels with a Donkey’ and

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback, visit www.thelongridersguild.com. An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com  

New Yoga & Pilates classes are available to help relax after a day of riding (book in advance, please enquire)
Massages 30min €30, 45 min €45 & sauna in 2024

The many other activities available in this area include cycling on miles of cycle paths, tennis, water sports such as surfing, catamarans, canoes, swimming, walking on the beach and golf. Non riders with a rental car can explore these options.

France is easily accessible from most of the UK and offers a large amount of space and totally different regions to explore. The weather in the south of France is almost always warmer than the UK. It is very rider friendly with miles and miles of open space and off road tracks to explore.

The region of Landes:
« Les Landes » is the second largest department in France (9 250 km²), and has 337,012 inhabitants, a mere 36.4 inhabitants per km². It is home to the Gascogne forest, the largest forest in Europe. The main administrative town of the department is Mont de Marsan. More than 93% of the land is used for agricultural purposes (244,000 ha) or is forested (632,000 ha). It is also home to 250km of protected dunes and beach fronts of the Atlantic Coastal Reserve.

The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower. It is a country steeped in history. Staggering monasteries and castles dotted all over the country are a reminder of a turbulent and often violent past, especially in the Carcasonne region where the Gnostic Christian organisation the Cathars, held fast against a crusade launched in the 11th century by an angry and vengeful Catholic church for over twenty years. Despite their vow of non-violence they had a strong support base, including the Knights Templar, and their name often pops up in the legend of the Holy Grail. The French character has undoubtedly been influenced by their past, today they are a proud and patriotic people famed for enjoying the finer things in life and displaying a great generosity in their willingness to share their country with the millions of visitors they receive each year. Food is very important in French culture, almost a passion. Families eat dinner together late in the evening and their diet is usually very healthy, packed with home grown fruit and vegetables. You will hardly ever see anyone eating on the street; if you do chances are they're not French! France is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for France is +33.