France - Perigord and Atlantic Coast Combo

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 SC of Ripley on 03/10/2024

Day 1
Arrival day: Transfer from Bordeaux Airport at 14h00 to Bonaguil and arrival at the manor house. There will be an introduction to the horses before enjoying a relaxing evening beside the swimming pool. Dinner at a local restaurant chosen by the group (not included).

Day 2
Full day ride in Dordogne: After breakfast meet to allocate the horses and a short ride to get the feel of the horses and the tack. The ride starts at 9am and heads for the large Chestnut forests and a wonderful day of long canters. This is in preparation for the endurance section of the ride. Enjoy the typical Périgord stone architecture. Lunch in the grounds of the Castle of Sauveterre. Pass the famous Bonaguil Castle to the Guest House. This is great example of military architecture, and the last of the great fortified castles in France. It has never been besieged. Relaxing time beside the swimming pool of Gite de Charme Le Hameau du Peyrié before dinner at 8pm. 5-6hr

Day 3
Day Ride around St Cirq Lapopie: An 8.30am transfer with the Horse trailer and minibus to the Medieval village of St Cirq La Popie, classified the most beautiful village in France set on the Lot River. Visit the village and enjoy lunch with the horses on the outskirts of the village beside the river. Ride alongside the Lot river and climb to the summit of the cliffs above the village to ride through the surrounding forests that look like the are directly from Grimm's fairy tales. Take in a last visit of the village before heading to Bonaguil. Dinner at the Guest House. 4hr

Day 4
Endurance Day in “Lot et Garonne“ - 7hrs of riding, trotting or cantering when the terrain permits: Breakfast and an early start to cover 45km, passing by the fortified Bastide of St front sur Lémance, and Lacapelle Biron. The rhythm of the ride changes regularly which makes the journey interesting. Lunch at and visit to the Auberge of Castel of Biron. Enjoy a long, fast ride passing by the Bastide of St Avit, and the Proud Castle of Gavaudun. Reach the chestnut forest of Cuzorn with its view of the Lot valley before arriving back at the manor house at Bonaguil for dinner and to relax. 7hrs

Day 5
Transfer to Mimizan with a lunch stop and 2hr ride in the Sauternes Vineyard in “Gironde”: Breakfast and time to pack the luggage before leaving for Sauternes (2 hours drive through Lot et Garonne) to reach “La Gironde”, renowned for its Bordeaux white wine. Enjoy lunch and a 2hr afternoon ride through the vineyards of Chateau Ychem, Chateau Trillon and Chateau Giraud. A late afternoon visit the Chateau Filhot cellar and wine testing before the transfer to Mimizan to relax at the guest house before dinner at 20h30

Day 6
Endurance in Landes. St Julien – Bias – Mimizan. After Breakfast transfer to the horses and start the full-day trail at endurance rhythm, while enjoying the new surroundings. Ride through the sandy trails of the largest forest in Europe. There are some beautiful views of the white sands of the Aquitaine Coast, where riders can gallop along the pristine beaches (Morning or afternoon beach rides dependent on the tides and/or weather). Head back for dinner. 6hrs

Day 7
Mimizan – Areilhan – Mimizan Beach. 4,5 hr riding. Breakfast before meeting the horses. Today's pace is easier with a relaxing day ride to have lunch on the shore of the Aureilhan Lake, and ending in the evening with a sunset ride on the beach before dinner. 4.5hr

Day 8
Departure day. The transfer will depart to arrive at Bordeaux airport approx.11h30. Riders flights must be booked to depart after 13h00.

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 20 horses available. The horses are mostly Anglo-Arabs and are fit and responsive. Many come from the family stud farm and their wellbeing is very important to the owners. During the trip riders are expected to take care of their own horses. Riding is usually 6 or 7 hours per day over 30 - 40 km. The terrain is varied and sometimes challenging so riders may be asked to walk by the horses at some points. The horses are surefooted and well able to manage this. There are plenty of opportunities ride at faster paces.

We ask the rider to keep a minimum of 30 m distance on the quick sequences between horses to give a more comfortable ride and to avoid dust. Normally, trotting or galloping is generally done individually or in pairs, whether it is in the forest or on the beach. Some group gallops on the beach are fine.

Confident, fit riders from intermediate skills onwards. Confident at all paces and able to ride 6 to 7 hours each day over varied and sometimes challenging terrain. Walking on foot may be required over some of the challenging terrain. The minimum age for this ride is 18 years.

A smile and a good sense of humour is required!

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

During the 3-day historical trek the accommodation is in the same 3-star Gite where guests will enjoy meals influenced by neighbouring Perigord. Once the group transfers to Mimizan, guests will stay in the Guest House at the riding centre. Lunches are picnics that are relaxed and leisurely, often followed by a short siesta. Lunch and dinner use typical ingredients from Pays Basque and are prepared by the owners. Please note that during busy periods rooms may sleep up to 5 people. Local hotels may be arranged for a supplement for those wishing to have a private room - please enquire.

The hosts can provide vegetarian & gluten free meals but not Vegan.

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

This area has a more continental climate, which bears some resemblance to that found in west Germany and Switzerland. The high mountain areas have their own distinctive climates with heavier precipitation, much of it snow in winter. Only along the Mediterranean coast and in the adjacent mountain regions is summer generally settles, sunny and warm. Everywhere else in France the weather can be changeable at all times of the year.

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 particular health issues associated with this type of ride.

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.

We have put together a suggested packing list for your trip. This should be used as a guideline as requirements may very according to your programme and preferences.

- 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
- 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

Provided by hosts
Riding Helmet

8d / 7n programme with riding days available on set dates.

2025: 25 May; 8 Jun; 7, 21 Sept; 5 Oct

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 apply. Supplements also apply to individual bookings where no other rider is available to share the room.

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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.