French equestrian holiday itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday) You will be met at the airport or train station in Bergerac and driven the 20 minutes or so to 'Le Bourdil Blanc' for dinner and to settle in for the week. Dinner with Jane your host and overnight at Le Bourdil. (D)

Day 2 (Sunday) After breakfast at the house, head for the stables to meet the horses and try them in the paddock under the expert eye of your riding guide Antoine. Then set off by car at about 10.30 to visit the street market in Issigeac which is great fun and full of local colour. Then morning shopping in the market before returning to the house for an early lunch followed by a ride. Return to the manor house in the late afternoon for drinks and dinner with your host Jane, then overnight at Le Bourdil. (B,L,D)

Day 3 (Monday) Breakfast in the house, then mount up and set off riding. Today's route takes you through the village of Lamonzie Montastruc and across la Forêt de Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube with its formal gardens, then on to the pretty village of Saint Marcel du Perigord where you stop for a picnic lunch near a stream. After lunch ride on to Pressignac-Vicq where the horses will stay overnight. Return to 'Le Bourdil Blanc' by car and Bernadette will cook a delicious, typical local dish to be washed down with some great local wines! Dinner and overnight Le Bourdil. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Tuesday) Breakfast and drive back to Pressignac-Vicq to meet the horses. Today’s ride takes you down to the Dordogne river - a spectacular ride with wonderful views. You will stop on the bank of the river for a drink and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon ride back to Pressignac-Vicq by a sharply contrasting route with the opportunity for a few good canters. Driven back to Le Bourdil for a well earned drink before dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Wednesday) Breakfast before returning to the horses and riding them back home through the forests to the manor. Stop for a delicious picnic lunch along the way arriving at Le Bourdil in time to change and relax before enjoying another delicious dinner. Overnight at Le Bourdil. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Thursday) Set off on a morning ride then ride through the forests and vineyards either to Chateau Tiregand (owned by the Saint-Exupéry family, one of whom wrote the well known children’s book, 'Le Petit Prince') or to Les Terres Vielles Both produce excellent local wines and there will be time for an informal and informative wine tasting before riding back to Le Bourdil for lunch. The afternoon free for sightseeing or to relax. Jane will discuss the options and will happily arrange group visits to local sites of interest, book restaurants and organise hire cars - or you can just relax at the house, using the heated swimming pool and tennis court or perhaps trying the boat on the lake - the choice is yours. Dinner is not included today and will be eaten out, either on the way back from the places you visit or you will be driven to a local restaurant, or even at the manor house if someone wants to cook! (B)

Day 7 (Friday) After breakfast, a stroll from the dining room to the stable yard to mount up for your last day’s riding. The route takes you through the Caudeau Valley visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont Beauregard and passing the Chateau de la Gaubertie stopping at another idyllic picnic site. After lunch return to the manor house for drinks and a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Saturday) You will be driven to Bergerac airport or train station after breakfast (about a 20 minute drive) or, depending on your departure time, you may be able to visit Bergerac street market for some local shopping before departing. (B)