France - Horses and History in Lot

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 MB of Co. Limerick on 16/06/2023

Day 1
Arrive at the farm in the late afternoon. After a tour of the property and a first meeting with our horses, share a drink and dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast, get to know the horses and guides with a relaxing morning ride around the property. Lunch is taken on the farm, weather permitting on the terrace outside. Sight-seeing in the afternoon is a visit to the beautiful medieval village of St Cirq Lapopie, which sits on the top of a dramatic cliff face. The quaint vernacular stone buildings with brown tiled roofs are listed and preserved in their original condition. The narrow streets are flower filled and the many art galleries and craft workshops give the place a bohemian feel. Dinner at the farm. (1hr riding)

Day 3
After breakfast set off for a lovely day's riding through the forest and grasslands of the rewilded Puy-Blanc, which is now a protected natural habitat on the site of an old clay quarry. Picnic beside the lake and watch the wildlife. Relax at the farm before a gourmet dinner with a wine tasting included.(3hr30 riding)

Day 4
Breakfast is followed by a morning ride on the Causse de Quercy National Park, where river gorges cut into the limestone plateau, up to the Menhir de Belinac, a prehistoric standing stone. Human activity has been in evidence in this area for thousands of years and after lunch at the farm we visit the vast and unforgettable Pech Merle cave network with its dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations. The site boasts remarkable 20 000 year old prehistoric murals and is one of the few places which allow you to enter the cavern and actually experience the original artworks. Dinner at the farm.(2hr30 riding)

Day
After breakfast, today's first excursion is to the spectacular Gouffre de Padirac, a 75m deep chasm which leads to a fantastic underground river cave network which we can explore by boat. Enjoy lunch in a traditional local restaurant before visiting the vertiginous ancient town of Rocamadour built into the gorge overlooking the Dordogne valley. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts many iconic religious buildings, and is on the 'Way of Saint James', a part of the Compostella Pilgrimage Route. Return to the farm at the end of the afternoon for dinner and this evening we have a wine tasting and enjoy the local produce.

Day 6
After breakfast, a full day of riding. Descending into the valley and then through the pretty French village of Corn, ride past the mysterious spring of Bual, then take a forested trail which makes up another part of the Compostella Route. Lunch break at the Priory of Espagnac. In the afternoon, ride up the south side of the valley to walk along the ridge and enjoy the far reaching views before returning home along a different route. In the evening head to a gourmet restaurant for a farewell dinner.(5hr riding)

Day 7
Departure after breakfast.

There is a ride only option and in place of the excursions, have free time instead to relax at the farm, or hire a car and explore the region at your own pace.

It is also possible to extend your stay at the farmhouse to continue your exploration of this beautiful area.
Advice is always available on the best sites to visit, restaurants to discover and accommodation options in the region. More riding can be booked onsite too.

Non-riders and other activities:
Non-riders are also welcome on this tour. Apart from the equestrian part, non-riders share the same program of activities and visits. There are also a wide range of alternative activities available locally for an additional cost.

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.

The farm has about 30 horses from different sizes and breeds of which 12 are used for guests to ride. They are between 150 and 155cm (15-15.2hh) and very well adjusted - they live in a herd in large paddocks on the property.

Saddles are English and saddle bags are provided. Riding helmets are compulsory and available to borrow on site, body protectors are available for teenagers only.

The pace of the ride is fairly slow mainly due to the terrain which can be steep and hilly with beautiful views. There is usually trotting and occasionally cantering where possible.

Your guide is one of the owners, Gwladys, who is a riding instructor, behaviourist and long distance rider with more than 8000 km throughout the world on long journeys under her belt.

Comfortable at a walk, trot and canter in open country on a good horse.
Competent child riders are welcome to ride along from the age of 12 onwards.
The weight limit for this ride is 90kg.

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Jeremy is your host and responsible for all the fresh meals prepared on site. He is a professional equine photographer and will accompany you during the different cultural visits.

The meals are home cooked from regional fresh produce wtih regional dishes featured. Meals are taken 'family style' with the hosts family and children. If you wish to dine separately, that can be arranged. There is one dinner out at a gourmet restaurant and one lunch out at a specialist cheese maker in Rocamadour. Vegetarian and Vegan diets can be catered for with advance notice. Please advise when booking.

The accommodation is in an historic building recently restored. The ground floor features original paving made of Causse stones, a traditional fireplace (Cantou) and a lounge area leading directly onto a shaded terrace, the private garden and a large swimming pool with wooden deck.

On the first floor there are three double bedrooms which can be made up with twin or double beds, allowing a maximum of 6 participants maximum. The whole atmosphere is warm and friendly. The bathroom, shared, is composed of two independent shower cubicles and the toilets are separate. There is a small reading area on the patio upstairs.

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

France is at its best in spring, though winter-like relapses aren't unknown. Summer is warm and can be very hot. Summer showers are possible. Autumn is very pleasant for riding although the days become shorter towards the end of October.

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).

There are no specific health risk in this region.

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 good mobile reception and wifi is available.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
- Insect repellent

Provided by hosts:
Riding hat

7d / 6n programme with 4 riding days starting Saturdays on set dates. It is possible to book tailor made programmes or other dates depending on availability, please enquire.
This location may be booked exclusively for private groups with a tailor made programme of riding and visits, please enquire.

2025: Saturdays between the 05 Apr - 05 Jul; 23 Aug - 18 Oct

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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  

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.