France - Tour in the Cévennes and Lozère

There are no reviews for this holiday at the moment

Day 1
Meet at the Camping du Val Cécennes in Florac at around 6pm. Riders are accommodated in comfortable mobile homes for the evening. Discuss the ride with the team over dinner, prepared by the host.

Day 2
Start the day riding through the town of Florac and following the Tarnon and Mimente Rivers. Riding along the small road before it becomes a trail that was transformed from an old railway route into a bridleway . Ride approx 20km with very little elevation, which allows for long, gentle gallops. Reach Cassagnas, the village made famous by writer RL Stevenson and his donkey, Modestine (see reading list), where the group stop for lunch. After lunch we climb the Col des Loupes and travel through the Plan de Fontmont forest to reach Barre des Cévennes where the accommodation, Gite de Monsieur Combes (or similar), is located. Although an older Gite, it is comfortable and the host is known for his plentiful meals. (40km)

Day 3
Riders leave Barre and follow the Can de L'Hospitalet passing above the Marquairés tunnel before reaching Bécede for lunch by the river. The afternoon starts ascending Mont Aigoul (1,565m) via the Col de l'Estrade and toward the Prat Peyrot ski resort to reach the village of Esperou. The horses are settled in paddocks and the riding group split between the Gite and a local hotel. (45km)

Day 4
Head to Camprieu via the ski resort to visit the subterranean river cave system of Abime de Bramabiau. The ride then heads into the Valley du Bonheur and the village of St Saviour. It is a short afternoon, planned to give both horses and riders a rest after a strenuous two days. The horses are settled into paddocks and the riders split between the Gite and the hotel for dinner and overnight. (30km)

Day 5
This is an active day heading off to the village of Lanuejol and Pierre Plantée, and on to the Col de la Croix de Far where riders can enjoy a 13km gallop to Meyrueis before stopping stopping for lunch close to the waters edge. Leave Meyrueis via the Jonte gorges to reach the limestone plateau, Causse Méjean keeping an eye open for vultures and roaming sheep. Reach the town of Mas Saint Chely and check into the Aires de las Carline (or similar) for dinner and overnight (40km)

Day 6
The limestone plateau of Causse Méjean is the playground for the day. Riders will explore the northern part in depth, and also take a short trip through the Chanet aerodrome, perfect for a fast gallop. Enjoy a meal above the Tarn valley which follows the full 160km route to Florac. Be welcomed by hosts Pierra and Déa where the group have dinner and overnight (or similar) (35km)

Day 7
This 36km stage reaches Florac at around 5pm. The route climbs close to the Causse de Sauveterre and the Col de Montmirat pass before reaching the final stop. Say goodbye to the horses and team before transferring back to the station.

The last riding day finishes at around 5pm and there is an early evening transfer to the train station for the return trip, Those not wanting to travel at night may wish to book an extra night at a local hotel and get a taxi to the station after breakfast.

2025: Transfers are not included and there is space for a maximum of 2 riders with the team in the horse trucks. €50 each way payable on site. Car rental is recommended.

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.

Riders will use the same horse for the entire trail and the horses will be assigned on the first day. All the horses used on this trail are from the first stud to breed endurance horses in France. They are pure-bred Arabs or part-Arabs. All the horses are forward-going, responsive and safe, and have been selected and trained specifically for endurance. The tack used is mainly endurance saddles although some comfortable trail saddles are also used.

This is the fastest ride in the endurance riding hosts' repertoire, with long canters and areas where the horses will have to be walked. 35-45km will be covered every day so riding fitness is essential.  Luggage is transported by vehicle between the overnight stops for the riders, and will be accessible at lunch times if needed.

2025: weight limit is 90kg, Younger riders from 16 years accepted if accompanied by an adult.

Riders should be experienced, riding fit, have been been on a trail ride previously, and used to long hours in the saddle.
Riding hats are compulsory and are available to borrow.
Maximum rider weight 90kgs; minimum riding age 18yrs.

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

Accommodation on the first night (and optional last night) is at the camping site in comfortable mobile homes. On the trail, the overnight stops are at small local hotels and guest houses in twin rooms with shared bathrooms. Single supplements are available, but cannot be guaranteed on some nights in the remote areas of the trail. On occasion there may be a 3/4 person dormitory.

Breakfast and dinners are prepared by the hosts of the Gites, or at the hotels as mentioned. Please note that this is a remote region. Vegetarians can be catered for with plenty of advance notice. Catering for special food allergies or specific diets may be problematic. Please enquire when booking. Picnic lunches are prepared by the backup team and taken en route.

There is an assistance vehicle that follows with luggage, giving riders access to their personal belongings at lunch times.

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

Florac has a mediterranean climate. The summers are warm and dry, and the temperature is cold in the winter. The average annual temperature for Florac is 13° degrees and there is about 501 mm of rain in a year. It is dry for 181 days a year with an average humidity of 80% . The best time to visit Florac is from June through September. In this period there are pleasant temperatures and almost no precipitation.

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 available at each nights accommodation for charging cameras and batteries. Please note that before using a GoPro, check with the other riders if they are willing to be filmed.

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, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

Ride specific:
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
- insect repellent

Can be provided by hosts:
Riding hat, although riders advised to bring their own

7d / 6n programme with 6 riding days. Available on set departure dates. The last day finishes at 5pm. Optional additional nights at the finish are available, in this case a taxi will need to be taken to the train station.

2025: 25 - 31 May; 28 Sep - 4 Oct

Although we will try our best, single supplements may not be available on some nights when in remote areas.

• £
• €
• US $
• SEK

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  

Although wildlife was in decline, in the last few years a number of species have naturally returned to the area (otters, black woodpeckers, owls, vultures). Furthermore, the park has reintroduced red deers, beavers, copercaillies, mouflons and tawny and black vultures. Today, there are a total of 2,410 species (from mammal's to insects) that call the area their home.

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.