France, Sidobre

Le Sidobre is a beautiful area of the South of France with fairytale areas/routes and the area is known for the countless granite rocks that are scattered randomly over the area.
It´s beautiful with its natural lakes and flowing streams. Here, Jacqueline from Holland, found the perfect place for her ranch. Here among beautiful hills and rolling meadows, she and her twenty western horses have a very good life. Here you are welcome to enjoy beautiful scenery, varied horseback riding and pleasant company with like-minded people. 
You stay in one of the four newly renovated double rooms. 

In addition to horses and horseback riding, your hostess is very interested in cooking. So, the dinners, which are usually enjoyed outside on the open porch, are well-cooked and tasty. 
The atmosphere is personal, the horses are happy and calm as they are kept outside on huge pastures together. After a hearty breakfast, it´s nice to take a short walk out to the meadows and get your horse. Then there is a stable where you brush and prepare your horse for the days wonderful ride. This is a star ride, so you ride and discover new elements of the surroundings every day. 

In the middle of the week, you and your horse have a much-needed rest day, so then you can take the opportunity to visit the city of Castres or Albi, with its beautiful cathedral, or why not just stay at the ranch and relax with a good book by the pool.

Accommodation & Food

During this holiday you will enjoy the familial ambiance of the ranch. 
You can relax and enjoy the home cooked meals, nights with campfire and barbecue and of course all the other animals living here.

There are four newly renovated spacious double rooms. They are all ensuite and have air conditioning. They all have their own entrance.
There is also a small swimming pool.

There are no single rooms. You will share a room with another guest of the same sex.
In case the week is not fully booked it is possible to have a room of your own (extra cost +  € 65).


Horses

There are 20 horses of different breed, 150-160 cm and 2 ponies.
The wellbeing of the horses is of utmost importance. They are grazing together in vast pastures, which ensures that they are happy and get along well together.
The horses are trained for the strength and endurance that is required for long rides.
They are social, listen well and are very reliable.
In principle you will ride and take care of the same horse for the whole week. It's your buddy and will work hard for you.
That is why Jacqueline thinks it's important that you participate in getting the horses from the meadow and taking care of them. Your connection with the horse will become much stronger this way.

Tack: Western saddle and English bridle, there are also a couple of English saddles. There are small saddlebags.


 

Riding & Program

You will ride your horse for about (minimum) 4 hours a day. Halfway through the week there will be one rest day that you can spend any way you want or need. During this holiday you will enjoy the familial ambiance of the ranch. You can relax and enjoy the home cooked meals, nights with campfire and barbecue and of course all the other animals living here.

Preliminary program

Day 1: Friday You are welcome to arrive at the ranch from 16:00 hrs. You are free to explore The Ranch, meet your fellow guests and settle into your room. In the evening a good 3-course home cooked meal will be served.

Day 2: Saturday After breakfast you will get extensive explanation about the basics of riding with a western saddle and handling the horses. You will get a saddling demonstration and there is plenty of opportunity to share your experience and ask questions. You will be partnered with your horse, which you will ride for the entire week, ensuring to build a trusting partnership. After lunch your first acquaintance with your horse for this week will become a fact, and you will have the opportunity to see if you are a good match.

Day 3: Sunday Today you will take a full day’s ride (4-5 hours) across the plains and woods. Enjoy the parcs vast views and we will have a picnic lunch at a beautiful spot.

Day 4: Monday Today there will be another full day ride (4-5 hours) across the plains and woods, but of course a different route than Sunday

Day 5: Tuesday After breakfast a day off for you as well as for your horse. You can spend the day as you please. Guests having their own car can go sightseeing and visit several sights in the area. There are plenty of interesting locations. Visit the town of Castres at about a 20 min drive from the ranch, the beautiful town of Albi at about 1hr drive from the ranch, with it's beautiful cathedral Sainte-Cécile of Castelnau-de-Montmiral at over 1hr drive from the ranch (32 km west of Albi). Guests without their own transportation can be driven to Castres. Of course you can also relax at the ranch or go for a nice walk in the surroundings.

Day 6: Wednesday A full days trail ride with a picnic lunch.

Day 7: Thursday After breakfast you will go for another full day ride. This evening there will be a farewell dinner  with a BBQ, where you can share your many adventures and experiences of this week.

Day 8: Friday After breakfast you unfortunately have to say 'goodbye' to all new two- and four legged friends.


 

Travel Information

Ability description: Trail Ride Level 2-3 >>

Included in the price: 7 nights, 5 days riding, full board (excl. drinks)

Not included: Flights, transfers, drinks, travel insurance & other personal expenses.

Travel: Book flight >>
Flight: Fly to Toulouse

Transfer: Castres - €50 per person return payable on site. Please make sure you arrive in Castres before 17:00 to get to the ranch in time for dinner. We recommend flying into Toulouse Airport (TLS) and taking a shuttlebus or taxi to Toulouse Matabiau train station and from there a train to Castres. Find train time table at SNCF>>
It is also possible to reach Castres from Paris, the train journey takes just under 6 hours. Departure transfer is available according to flight schedule, preferably after 11am.

Single room:  There are no single rooms. You will share a room with another guest of the same sex. In case the week is not fully booked it is possible to have a room of your own (+ extra costs of  approx € 65,- payed  on site).

Season: May  - September (Arrive/depart on Fridays)

Group size: 4-8 riders

Age limit: 16 years

Weight limit: 90kg / 198 lbs / 14 stone 2lbs

Currency: EUR

Accept Credit cards: No

Wifi: Yes

Electricity jack: EU standard

Beach: No

Pool: A small one

Misc.: Bed linen is included. Toiletries and towels to bring by your own.
Riding equipment to borrow:  Helmet is mandatory. Bring your own helmet.
Saddle bag available: Some saddlebags.
Special diet: Inform when booking.
 

Dates and prices

DateDaysName of tripPrice from
03/05/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
10/05/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
17/05/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
24/05/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
31/05/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
07/06/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
14/06/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
21/06/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
28/06/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
05/07/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
12/07/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
19/07/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
26/07/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
02/08/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch Week
Fully booked
EUR 1,050Book on request
09/08/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
16/08/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
23/08/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
30/08/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
06/09/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
13/09/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
20/09/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request
27/09/20248France, Sidobre - Ranch WeekEUR 1,050Book on request

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