NORMANDY – 7 or 8 days
We discover the secret Normandy of the Vikings, first dukes of Normandy, its medieval abbeys, and the deeply moving traces of the Second World War… and visit the heart of the region of the selle français breed horses … fantastic !
Pace: fast – 5 riding days from 4h to 6h per day in the saddle – Mixed breed horses trained for trail rides.
For regular riders able to have long canters on trails and beaches
Day 1:
Arrival at chateau de Bellefontaine in Bayeux.
Briefing, dinner and night at chateau de Bellefontaine in Bayeux.
Day 2: Coleville – Omaha Beach
AM – about 2 hours on horseback-
Begining of the ride on the cliff of Omaha beach, and country side. View on the rests of famous battery of second world war. PM – about 2 hours on horseback-
Ride on the beach according the tide.
Visit of the american military cimetry.
Gourmet dinner and night at hotel La Marine***
in Port en Bessin.
Day 3: Omaha Beach – Arromanches
AM – about 2 hours on horseback-
Begining of the ride by the beach or the cliff
according the tide. PM – about 2 hours on horseback
Ride on the cliff, with a spectacular view on Arromanches and his famous Mulberry port – Canter on the beach if possible
Dinner and night at hotel La Marine *** in Arromanches, with a wonderfull view on the sea
Day 4 : Arromanches – Ryes – Creully
AM – about 2 hours 30 on horseback
Begining of the ride by the beach according the tide, then in the hilly landscape of Normandy.
Lunch in typicall restaurant in Ryes, and visit of the church XI and XIII century. PM – about 2 hours on horseback
Ride in the country side, and arrival on horseback in the old city of Creully. Visit of médieval chateau de Creully, from where BBC diffused news of Normandy battle in 1944. Gourmet dinner and night at Hostellerie Saint Martin, old Market halls built from the 13th to the 16th century of Creully
Day 5 : Visit of Bayeux and Saint Lo
AM – visit of Bayeux cathedral, medieval and XVIIIth century center and of the famous tapistery made in the 11th century, and listed as a “Memory of the World” by UNESCO. Lunch in Bayeux PM – Transfert in Haras de Saint Lo, the heart of famous Selle Français breed. Visit of the buildings and special clinics by a show jumping french rider if possible
Transfer by car to Manoir du Brion in Mont Saint Michel Bay ; Gourmet diner and night in the fantastic gothic Manoir de Brion, where the french kings stayed for their pilgrimage at Mont saint Michel abbaye.
Day 6 : Mont Saint Michel Bay
About 4 hours on horseback.
Ride in fabulous mont Saint Michel Bay.
Gourmet dinner.
Night in Manoir de Brion.
Day 7 :
Breakfast and departure.
Visit on your own of Mont saint Michel.
Transfer (not included) to Avranches or TGV Rennes station.
or Day 7 : optional day in Mont saint Michel
AM –
. Participation in the early morning horse training on the sand track next to your facilities.
. Breakfast around a coffee in the stables.
. Presentation of thalassotherapy treatments on the limbs on the beach and possibly in the footbath, massage, treatments based on aromatherapy and phytotherapy.
. Possibly participation in horse races
PM – Visit of saint Michel Abbey on Mont Saint Michel.
Gourmet dinner and night in manoir de Brion.
Day 8 :
Breakfast and departure.
Transfer (not included) to Avranches or TGV Rennes station.
Program may be changed a little according to the season and weather conditions.