France ~ Le Bourdil Blanc

7 nights staying in a comfortable French manor house, with daily riding. Available late April to late June and September to November for intermediate riders and above.

Where Based from a lovely 18th century manor house not far from the town of Bergerac in the Dordogne, south west France.

What is it like  A combination of comfortable accommodation in an elegant French manor house with daily riding out. Riding explores the Dordogne's rolling countryside - forests of beech, oak and chestnut, fields of maize and sunflowers and extensive vineyards. Much is within the private estates of historic chateaux and there is plenty of time, after a day in the saddle, to enjoy the delicious food and wine for which the area is renown and to relax, play tennis or (in summer) swim in the pool.

Who does it suit Its like a French house party, with riding and other activities laid on. Jane welcomes you into her charming home, introduces you to owners of local vineyards and chateaux, tells you about the local area and makes the whole thing delightfully personal. For a special family and friends gathering, Le Bourdil can be booked privately, with local riding arranged on request. 

Why we love it It was our family choice for a 70th birthday multi-generation celebration. Grand but homely, somewhere that feels special but a house you can live in, with lots to do whether your ideal is a chair on the terrace with a glass of wine and good book, or non-stop riding, swimming, boating on the lake, tennis, vineyards, markets and more, all in a glorious setting.   

This short video of Le Bourdil Blanc shows the house & grounds

 

Riding: 3-6 hours a day

Horses: French cross breeds, some Arab crosses and Anglo Arabs

Pace: moderate, with good chances to canter

Riding ability: intermediate riders and above

Weight limit: 95kg (15 stone)

Accommodation: comfortable manor house

Group size: max 6 to 8 (min 4)

Season: April to June, September to November

 Price: 7 night stays from 1650 Euros (approx £1500) per person

Horses: Mixed french cross breeds many with Arab and Anglo-Arab blood. They are owned by your French riding guides who manage local riding stable and there is a good selection to suit different riders. Saddles are mostly English style, with some lightweight Endurance saddles available. The horses are usually ridden in snaffles and saddle-bags are provided.

Hours: Usually between 3 and 6 hours riding a day.

Pace and experience required: Riding is aimed at those with a reasonable amount of previous riding experience. You should be comfortable, confident and in control on a well-schooled horse at a walk, trot and fast canter. Overall the riding pace is moderate and there are good chances for long canters. The usual rider weight limit is 95kgs (15 stone) although some heavier experienced riders may be taken by prior arrangement.

Riders stay at 'Le Bourdil Blanc' a lovely 18th Century Manor house, set within its own 7 acres of grounds in which there is also a 'pigeonnier' (small cottage), a swimming pool, tennis court and lake. There are plenty of different bedrooms, most in the main house, one in a separate wing and two in the pigeonnier. There are also 3 newly converted double bedrooms in the coach house by the stables. All bedrooms are individual and fairly simple in style with mixed antique furniture and en-suite or private bathrooms. There is also a large, comfortable sitting room with polished wooden floor and a dining room with a long table where meals are eaten, both with open fire place. The house has a relaxed 'house party' atmosphere and you are encouraged to treat it as your own and to enjoy it in your own way. There is a small veranda with lovely views over the sweeping lawn and lake and several shady spots for meals and drinks. During your ride, the horses are kept in well designed stables in a converted barn / coach house a few minutes from the house.

2022 Rates

7 nights - Euros 1650 single supplement - not usually charged Non-riders - Please enquire Rates include - 7 nights accommodation, all riding and guiding, meals (except dinner on Thursday), wine with lunch and dinner, and transfers from / to Bergerac at set times with the group. Rates exclude - international flights to France and travel to Bergerac, personal medical insurance (compulsory), extra drinks, dinner on Thursday night, personal extras such as telephone calls etc, any visa fees and any tips you may wish to leave. NB Prices are based on 4 to 8 riders Prices are quoted in Euros. Payments can be made in pounds sterling; if you wish we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.

Dates 2022

11th to 18th September 2nd to 9th October  9th to 16th October Other dates on request for groups

 Average temperature guide

 

	Itinerary in brief - 2022
Day 1	Arrive Bergerac where you will be met and transferred to Le Bourdil Blanc for dinner and the night.
Day 2	Breakfast and meet the horses, with a chance to try them in the paddock. Then a visit to a local market and lunch before returning to Le Bourdil for a short afternoon ride. Dinner and night at Le Bourdil Blanc.
Day 3	After breakfast ride takes through the Cadeau valley to the magnificent chateau La Gaubertie. A picnic lunch at the chateau before riding back to Le Bourdil Blanc by a different route. Farewell dinner and the night at Le Bourdil.
Day 4	Breakfast and set off riding to the village of Saint Marcel du Perigord. A picnic lunch near a stream and then ride on to Pressignac - Vicq where the horses remain for the night. Return by car to Le Bourdil for dinner and the night.
Day 5	Breakfast and drive to Pressignac - Vicq to meet the horses. Today's ride takes you down to the Dordogne river for a picnic lunch before riding back to Pressignac - Vicq by a different route. Drive back to Le Bourdil for dinner and night at Le Bourdil Blanc.
Day 6	Breakfast and today's ride may take you across the river. Lunch in a restaurant and the horses remain at Faux for the night. The afternoon is free to relax or for sightseeing. Dinner is not included tonight but your host can book a restaurant nearby. Night at Le Bourdil.
Day 7	After breakfast you return to Faux for the final ride back to the stables. Farewell dinner and the night at Le Bourdil.
Day 8	Breakfast then you will be driven to Bergerac for your onward journey.
	Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions.

Le Bourdil Blanc is 20 minutes drive from Bergerac airport and transfers can be arranged from Bergerac (airport or train station) at any time and are included in the ride price. Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) operate direct flights to Bergerac from London Stansted, Liverpool, Bristol and East Midlands in the UK. FlyBe (www.flybe.com) flies from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle & Southampton. Jet2 also fly from Leeds Bradford & Manchester. British Airways fly from London City Airport. There are also options via Amsterdam and Paris from various UK regional airports.

There are also train services from London St Pancras to Bergerac, changing either at Paris or in Lille and again in Libourne.

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