France is ideally suited for a horseback riding vacation. It was here that the idea of equestrian travel was reborn and is most highly developed.
Ride leaders in France must take long courses and pass exams on leading riding tours and horsemanship. The countryside in many parts of France is unspoiled and beautiful with many rights-of-way kept open which makes riding through it on horseback a real pleasure. Riding trails in France usually avoid paved roads. Spectacular castles, walled towns and ancient monasteries are everywhere. It is a thrill to ride into a castle courtyard on horseback like a traveler of old.
Each region has a unique character with its own history, cuisine, wine, architecture and topography. French food and wine are justly famous and you will have every opportunity to savor them with an appetite made keener by an active day of horseback riding. Accommodations vary from small village hotels to châteaux, but are generally picturesque and comfortable. Some of our French riding vacations use Western saddles which is not so surprising since southern France borders Spain where our own Western riding traditions originated. France is still the most popular country in the world for vacations.
