HORSE RIDES

Our mission is to accommodate riders with diverse horse-riding backgrounds and offer the opportunity to anyone – from beginners to advanced riders – to enjoy the unique experience of traveling on horseback. This is why we have designed and selected horse holidays that cater to riders from different levels:

If you are looking for a « first-time in the saddle » experience, we recommend exploring our The Renaissance Masterpiece through the Loire Castles, The Irish Castle Escape, in Ireland, The Imperial Heritage Ride in Fontainebleau, The Palace of Versailles & Its gardens, or The City of Horses, in Chantilly – all tailored to suit both novices and experienced riders. These rides are crafted with gentle and calm horses, navigating mostly flat lands to provide a more relaxed introduction to horse-riding tours.

If you are seeking a more challenging and exhilarating ride, consider options such as The Tölt, Glacier & Wellness in Iceland, The Patagonia Expedition in Chile, The Castles of Tuscany Tour or The Summits of the Dolomites in Italy. These holidays are designed for more fit and experienced riders as they feature spirited horse breeds, multi-day rides, navigating rough terrains, with long canters, and more time spent in the saddle.

If you find yourself uncertain about your horse-riding experience, we are here to help and assist you. Please feel free to contact us via our Contact form, email, or WhatsApp, and we will be more than happy to guide you.

If you are a beginner rider, we are pleased to offer several rides perfectly suited to your level — including if you are looking at your first-time in the saddle. These experiences are designed with short time in the saddle, flat and gentle terrain, along with gentle, kind and well-trained horses carefully selected based on your riding experience, height, and weight.

Our best horseback riding holidays for beginners in France include our rides in Versailles, Fontainebleau, Deauville or Rambouillet. These experiences typically feature around two hours of riding, combined with gastronomic escapes and cultural visits. However, if you wish to spend more time on horseback, we also offer the possibility to extend these experiences into 2 to 5-day riding experiences, crafting a tailor-made itinerary by combining several of our destinations and including optional activities according to your preferences.

For beginner riders ready to take the challenge and spend over three hours per day in the saddle, we would recommend our Loire Valley Castles Ride, a perfect introduction to multi-day riding adventures in France.

If you are an intermediate or experienced rider, our collection of horseback riding adventures in France offers a range of immersive and distinct, refined experiences designed to match individual preferences. From working cattle alongside Guardians with Camargue horses, to refining your dressage skills with Lusitanos and renowned French champions in Provence, to riding from castle to castle in the Loire Valley, each journey is crafted to suit each rider’s own rhythm and aspirations.

If you love (or dream about) horseback riding in the South of France while refining your dressage skills, our Provence Dressage Experience is an ideal fit. Set in a beautifully restored 17th-century stud farm, this experience allows you to ride top-class Lusitanos, enjoy private dressage lessons with internationally acclaimed professionals, while still allowing you to head out on beach and mountain trail rides. The property is conveniently located near Marseille, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence, with seamless transfers with our trusted partnering driver arranged for your arrival.

If you are drawn to heritage and gastronomy, our Loire Valley Castles Ride offers a unique opportunity to ride from château to château, combining trail riding through villages and vineyards, while sleeping like Royalty once did, and savoring the best of French gastronomy. Located just two hours from Paris, it can easily be integrated into a broader stay in France.

If you are unsure which horse riding holiday in France best suits your level or would like to create a tailor-made itinerary, feel free to contact us — we will be delighted to guide you in planning your ideal riding experience.

Yes, absolutely! Many of our riders come on their own and meet riding partners along the journey.

We warmly welcome solo riders on all our rides, ensuring a friendly environment for all individual adventurers.

If you have any doubts or special inquiries, feel free to contact us via our Contact form, email, or WhatsApp, and we will be more than happy to guide you.

Yes — all of our rides in France can be privatized and fully customizable according to your preferences. Whether you are traveling with a group of riding friends, as a family, or wish to enjoy a more exclusive and personalized experience, we are delighted to craft a private and tailor-made riding retreat for you.

Choosing a private ride rather than a group ride allows you to set the pace of your rides, focus on specific interests (such as dressage, trail riding, cultural discovery, wellness or gastronomy), and enjoy as much flexibility as possible throughout your journey. From adjusting riding hours to  including additional experiences —  cultural visits, SPA treatments, wine tastings— the itinerary can be thoughtfully curated according to your riding level and interests.

Yes — we are delighted to welcome non-riders on all of our adventures horseback riding in France. Creating fully personalized experiences for every guest is at the heart of our philosophy, and our primarily private riding format allows for a great level of flexibility.

While riders explore the trails, we invite non-riding guests to enjoy a curated selection of activities depending on the destination — from e-bike tours, golf, and tennis to canoeing, wine tastings, SPA treatments or cultural visits. Each of these activities is designed to offer its own enriching experience of the region, and is carefully selected, with the same attention to detail as our riding activities.

Throughout the journey, our flexible format allows riders and non-riders to reconnect for lunches, aperitifs, and group experiences, ensuring that moments of the adventure are enjoyed all together.

Yes, absolutely !

Non-riders are welcome on all of our rides except on The Patagonia Expedition & The Summits of The Dolomites Ride.

For those who do not wish to participate in the ride, we offer the flexibility of one-base options, the possibility of joining riders upon their ride to attend all the other activities as well as craft a personalized non-riding journey for them with alternative activities (E-Bike Tours, Truffle Hunt, Massages, Châteaux guided visits, Cooking Class, etc...)

At the heart of our philosophy is a commitment to providing tailor-made experiences for each guest. We understand that everyone is unique, and our goal is to design experiences that cater to individual preferences and needs.

Our France horse tours stand apart thanks to a highly personal approach, deep on-the-ground involvement, and a strong commitment to quality at every step of the adventures we craft:

• Based in Paris, with close, local relationships:
  Being founded and based in Paris allows us to create, maintain close, long-standing relationships with all of our partners — from riding guides, drivers, chefs, to hosts — who come together to shape each of our riding experiences. This proximity ensures consistency in our riding adventures, trust, and a seamless level of service throughout every trip.

• A meticulous selection process of our rides, always tested on-site:
  Behind every ride lies an intricate process of selection. We carefully handpick each experience to ensure it aligns with our core values and commitments. Before being included in our collection of horse riding tours in France, every itinerary is personally tested on-site: we meet the riding team and the horses, ride the trails, visit the accommodations. These try outs allow us to guarantee the ride meets our requirements and provide you with all the information you need before joining the adventure yourself.

• Riding experiences enriched with heritage, gastronomy & wellness:
  Our French riding adventures go far beyond the saddle: each experience is crafted as a cultural immersion, combining riding with heritage, gastronomy, and wellness. From horseback riding in Versailles with a passionate guide to discovering Lusitano breeding traditions in Provence, every experience connects you more deeply with the destination. Gastronomy is  an essential part of every ride we curate. We carefully select partner restaurants and chefs to showcase the finest regional cuisine, prepared with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. In addition, we invite our guests to enjoy at least one wellness experience — whether it’s a yoga session, a spa treatment, or a natural hot spring experience — allowing you to unwind in the perfect post-ride ritual.

• Curating refined and characterful accommodations
  We believe that your riding experience in France should be both restful and enjoyable, which is why we exclusively offer refined accommodations that combine comfort, authenticity, and character, while offering a high-end service. From beautifully restored abbeys to historic châteaux, each property is chosen for its atmosphere and quality, ensuring you have the perfect place to rest after a day in the saddle.

• A curated, limited portfolio for higher quality and tailor-made journeys:
  At the heart of our approach is the creation of fully personalized, tailor-made horseback rides, designed around your preferences, riding level, and aspirations. Because this level of customization requires time, care, and close collaboration, our collection remains intentionally limited. This allows us to stay closely connected with our partners, and dedicate ourselves to crafting tailor-made journeys with the highest level of service.

When curating our portfolio of riding experiences, group size is a fundamental consideration for us. At the heart of our philosophy is the aim to offer a highly personalized and immersive journey. And we believe that small, intimate groups of riders ensure closer guidance from riding guides, minimise the risks inherent to trail riding, while allowing for greater flexibility, attention to detail, and a more refined experience for each of our guests.

On our group rides in France, such as in Provence, we limit groups to a maximum of 6 riders.

By keeping our groups deliberately small, we are able to preserve the quality of the experience and maintain the spirit of our rides — where every guest feels supported, guided, and fully immersed in the journey.

As a general guideline, the minimum age for participants is 6 years old. However, age restrictions can vary based on the destination and individual circumstances. We take into consideration factors such as size, stamina, and riding ability, as well as the dynamics of the group.

If you find yourself unsure whether a horse-riding holiday is the perfect fit for your family, particularly when considering the participation of your children, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We understand that safety and comfort are paramount, especially when it comes to younger riders. We will be more than happy to assist you in making an informed decision. Please feel free to contact us via our Contact form, email, or WhatsApp.

At Nomad Riders, we have designed our rides to be restful, seamless, and entirely stress-free, so that our riders can fully focus on enjoying their time in the saddle. Typically, our equestrian holidays in France will include everything organised throughout the journey*: private transfers, selected accommodations, all meals, riding activities, and, upon request, travel insurance. We believe this all-inclusive approach allows riders to travel with complete peace of mind, with no unexpected surprises along the way, to enjoy a fully taken-care-of experience.

*The only element we are unable to include in our horse riding holidays is international airfare, which remains the responsibility of the guest.

While France offers beautiful scenery to ride all year round, the best season for a riding experience in France generally runs from March to November. During this period, temperatures are pleasant, landscapes are at their most vibrant, and riding conditions are ideal in most areas. In some regions, July and August can bring warmer temperatures, which we take into account when planning the daily rhythm of rides. This seasonality is not only weather-related, but also linked to some of our partner riding guides, who decide to put their horses to rest during the winter months to ensure they remain healthy, fit, and fully ready for the riding season.

Many of our rides in France are available throughout the year, including our day rides in Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, Chambord, or Deauville, as well as selected tailor-made weekend experiences such as Abbey-to-Castle or Barbizon escapes.

Depending on the region and your preferences, we typically recommend riding in the Loire Valley from April to October, in Provence from March to November and in Normandy from April to November. During the summer months, when temperatures can occasionally rise, riding schedules can be modified and adapted accordingly, with early morning and late afternoon rides, prioritised for both horse wellbeing and rider comfort.

As a general guideline, here is an overview of the typical weather you can expect in France, season by season:

• Winter (December to February): Cooler and quieter period, with occasional rain and temperatures ranging from 3°C to 15°C (37°F to 60°F). The atmosphere is very peaceful to ride in serenity.
• Spring (March to May): One of the most beautiful seasons to ride in France, with mild temperatures ranging from around 10°C to 26°C (50°F to 80°F), blooming flowers, and ideal riding conditions.
• Summer (June to August): Warm and lively, with long days (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and golden light, with temperatures typically between 20°C and 32°C (68°F to 90°F). If you are horseback riding in the South of France, the rides will usually be scheduled in the early morning or late afternoon.
• Autumn (September to November): This is the favourite season for many riders, offering soft light, comfortable temperatures ranging from 10°C to 28°C (50°F to 82°F), and stunning countryside colours.

If you are unsure which period to choose for your ride in France, feel free to contact our team, which is based on-site and will be delighted to guide you and help you choose the ideal season for your riding experience.

Yes, we happily accommodate dietary restrictions on all of our rides.

Our commitment lies in curating tailor-made experiences that cater to the unique preferences and needs of each of our guests. This includes accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey.

Prior to embarking on a horse riding holiday or day trip, we request guests to complete a comprehensive form. This form allows us to gather essential information such as your dietary restrictions and allergies and this information is carefully communicated to the tour operators and chefs so they can craft your meals accordingly.

Each horse-riding holiday is unique, and your packing list will be influenced by factors such as the weather conditions, the ride’s difficulty, the destination’s disease risks and sometimes dress code requirements for riding in nature.

Before embarking on your journey, we provide guests with a comprehensive list tailored to their specific horse-riding holiday.

We have outlined a typical packing list designed to cover the basics for riders :

For the time in the saddle:

• Riding Pants: Choose the fabric based on the weather of the destination, ensuring comfort and adaptability.
• Riding Boots and Chaps: If not provided on-site, these are essential for a secure and comfortable ride.
• Lightweight Riding Helmet: Ensure you have a suitable helmet for protection, especially if not provided on-site.
• Long Socks: Opt for woolen ones in colder weather to keep your feet warm and cozy.
• Button-Up Long-Sleeved Cotton Shirts: Choose thermal options in cold weather for added warmth.
• Fleece or Wool Jumper: Layering is key, and a jumper provides insulation during cooler rides.
• Waterproof Windbreaker Jacket: Be prepared for unexpected weather changes with a reliable, waterproof jacket.
• Filtered Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with clean water throughout your journey.

For after the ride:

• Hat and Gloves : Stay warm during chilly evenings after your ride.
• Soft Shoes: Slip into comfortable footwear after hours in riding boots.
• Comfortable Loungewear: Relax and unwind post-ride with comfortable clothing.
• First-Aid Necessities: Be prepared with a basic first-aid kit, based on your medical needs.
• Paracetamol: For general pain relief and fever.
• Gastro-Stop Medication: To address digestive issues if they arise.
• Nurofen or Ibuprofen: In case of muscle soreness for a comfortable recovery.
• Lip Balm: Keep your lips moisturized, especially in varying weather conditions.

On all of our rides, you will be welcomed and led by local and passionate horse-riding guides, all of whom are fluent in English to ensure seamless communication and a safe riding experience.

As part of our commitment to delivering a cultural experience, our itineraries often include historical visits. To enhance these activities, we are happy to offer them with guides who are proficient in various languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, German, Japanese, and more. This multi-lingual approach ensures that our guests can fully appreciate the depth of the destinations explored, making their horse-riding holiday not only adventurous but also culturally enlightening.

When you reach out through our booking or contact form, our team will provide you with a comprehensive brochure of your chosen journey. This booklet includes the full itinerary, details about accommodations, rates, and available departure dates (along with many pictures to give you a glimpse of the ride!).

If the journey aligns with your wishes and you would like to join, we will send you a detailed form to complete. This helps us understand your riding level, background, and experience, ensuring you meet the required skill level for the ride. This step not only prioritizes safety but also guarantees an enjoyable experience for the entire riding group.

Once our team and riding guide confirm your suitability, you can secure your saddle by paying a 50% deposit.

For your convenience, this can be easily completed via our secure payment link or through a traditional bank transfer.

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We acknowledge that unforeseen events may occur, leading to changes in plans, and we are committed to providing our guests with a fair and transparent cancellation policy.

Please note that our cancellation policy varies for each ride, depending on the terms set by our professional partners and providers. The specific cancellation details are clearly outlined in the travel brochures sent via email before booking, as well as on each ride’s dedicated webpage in the FAQ section.

In the case your initial booking no longer fits your schedule or an unexpected event arise, we are open to flexibility and willing to consider alternative options where feasible. Feel free to contact us via our Contact form, Email, or WhatsApp, and we will be more than happy to guide you and find a suitable solution.