France, Célé Valley
Here, an extraordinary riding experience awaits you – in the heart of the magical Célé Valley in southwestern France, set within the Causses du Quercy Natural Regional Park. Your hosts are Gwladys and Jeremy, two passionate horse lovers. Gwladys is an experienced riding instructor and long-distance rider with more than 8,000 km in the saddle across Central America, North Africa, and Europe. Her deep respect for horses, nature, and adventure is instantly inspiring. By her side is Jeremy, a professional equine photographer who has worked internationally since 2014 to showcase horse breeds from around the world and regularly exhibits his work.
You will stay on their farm in a beautifully restored old stone house with a large swimming pool. And when you dismount after a wonderful day in the saddle, the next pleasure awaits. Jeremy is also a passionate chef who cooks from scratch using fresh local ingredients, making the evenings just as memorable as the rides. During the week-long rides, wine tastings and visits to gourmet restaurants are also included.
After falling in love with the Célé Valley, the couple created a life here – a place that is calm, wild, and vibrant all at once. You will ride through limestone cliffs, lush green valleys, and historic villages, discover the region’s rich gastronomy, and experience the authenticity of an area still untouched by mass tourism.
If you are looking to enjoy dramatic landscapes, horses, culinary delights, and adventure – in a small riding group with an enthusiastic host couple – this is an excellent choice.
Accommodation & Food
The accommodation is in a recently restored historic building. The ground floor features original paving made of Causse stones, a traditional fireplace (Cantou) and a lounge area leading directly onto a shaded terrace, the private garden and a large swimming pool with wooden deck.
On the first floor there are three double bedrooms which can be made up with twin or double beds, allowing a maximum of 6 participants. The whole atmosphere is warm and friendly. The bathroom, shared, is composed of two independent shower cubicles and the toilets are separate. There is a small reading area on the patio upstairs.
Food is a big part of the programs :) and they receive very good reviews from it. As your host, Jeremy is also a passionate cook and treats guests to generous, local, and lovingly prepared food that makes the meals just as memorable as the rides.
For breakfast guests are usually served a continental breakfast made of fruits, yoghurts, cereals, croissants, bread, butter, jam, honey, chocolate spread, milk, orange juice, coffee and tea... with lots of locally sourced products.
For lunch when riding all day, Jeremy prepares gourmet picnics with homemade salads and sandwiches, French cheese, deserts, crisps...
For lunch when eating at the farm and for dinner, he prepares homemade three course meals, every day different with traditional French recipes, depending on the seasonal products.
Wine is included with lunch and dinner at the farm. One of the rides also includes a wine tasting session. Meals are taken 'family style' with the hosts family.
They can also adapt menus for vegetarian, vegan people and most allergies problem (with prior notice).
Horses
The farm has around 35 horses, of which 12 are specially selected for riding guests. The horses are mainly crosses of Barb/Arab and Lusitano/Arab, carefully chosen for their temperament, spirit, and willingness to cooperate.
There are also homebred horses, and next year the first horses born on the farm will join the trail rides.
The horses are noble and elegant, with a height of 150–155 cm at the withers. There are horses suitable for both less experienced and very experienced riders. Each horse is well cared for and trained with respect and love, making every ride both safe and enjoyable.
Saddles are English and saddle bags are provided. Riding helmets are compulsory and available to borrow on site, body protectors are available for teenagers only.
Program - Riding & Gastronomy - Week & Short Week
RIDING & GASTRONOMY, SHORT WEEK
Saturday to Wednesday – 4 nights, 3 days riding
Non-riders may join this program: they will meet riders for picnics and take part in the wine tasting on Monday. Bicycle rental is available 5 minutes from the farm, and numerous hiking trails surround the property.
Preliminary day-by-day program
Saturday: Arrival at the farm in the late afternoon. Visit of the property, meeting the horses, aperitif and dinner.
Sunday: After breakfast, departure for a first ride to discover the caselles, these emblematic dry-stone shelters once built by shepherds. Return to the Mas for lunch, then set off again for another ride towards the Belinac Menhir. Standing over three metres high, this megalith is one of the last witnesses to the rituals practised by the peoples who once inhabited this land. Return to the Mas for some time to relax, followed by a shared dinner.
Monday: Breakfast at the Mas. Today’s ride will take you to Christophe, our favourite wine merchant, where a regional wine-tasting workshop awaits. This will be followed by a delightful picnic featuring local produce, before continuing through the valley and returning to the Mas in the late afternoon. Dinner at the Mas.
Tuesday: Breakfast at the Mas. We will meet our horses for a third day on horseback. After descending into the valley and passing through the authentic village of Corn, you will ride past the mysterious Bual spring, then follow a wooded section of the Way of St James before a well-deserved lunch break at the Espagnac Priory. After lunch, enjoy a magnificent ride offering an incredible diversity of landscapes. Dinner at the Mas for a final warm and convivial evening.
Wednesday: Breakfast at the Mas and departure. We are sure you will go back home with some lifelong memories... And why not plan one last small detour to discover one of the many wonders that make the Lot such a delightful place to live and explore?
RIDING & GASTRONOMY, WEEK
Saturday to Friday – 6 nights, 4 days riding
Non-riders may join all activities except horseback riding. Optional additional rides available for riders.
Saturday to Tuesday : Same program as Short week
Tuesday alternative (visits) : Instead of a day on horseback, Jérémy, your passionate local guide, invites you to set course for the spectacular Padirac Chasm: a descent 103 metres underground before boarding a small boat for a magical journey, where light effects and rock formations create an absolutely unforgettable setting. After a well-deserved lunch at a restaurant, the afternoon continues in Rocamadour, one of the most beautiful villages in France, dramatically built into the cliffside. You will explore its sanctuary, steeped in history and legend, while enjoying the anecdotes that have made the site so famous. Return to the Mas in the late afternoon for some time to relax, followed by a convivial, home-prepared dinner.
Wednesday: Breakfast at the Mas. While our horses enjoy a well-deserved morning of rest, the morning is free for you to relax on the property or set off on a gentle walk to fully appreciate the peaceful surroundings. After lunch, we head off on a true journey through time, following in the footsteps of Cro-Magnon man to the Pech Merle Cave. There, we admire remarkable prehistoric frescoes dating back over 29,000 years. We then continue on to the medieval village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the most beautiful villages in France, dramatically perched above the River Lot — a true wonder. Dinner at a restaurant in the heart of the village, followed by a return to the Mas.
Thursday: Breakfast at the Mas. You will meet your horse for a final full day on horseback. This will be an opportunity to explore the Causse, a land both demanding and resilient for humans and animals alike. A sheep-farming region with a very low population density, it is renowned for the beauty of its traditional architecture, the charm of its forest paths and the deep sense of tranquillity that reigns throughout. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local goat cheese producer. For the final night, we will share another of our much appreciated home made dinner at the farm.
Friday: Departure after breakfast
Travel Information
Ability description: Trail ride, level 2-3
Included in the price: Accommodation, all meals, water and wine to meals at the Mas.
Not included: Flights, drinks at restaurants, transfers
Travel: Fly to Toulouse airport (TLS)
Transfer: €50 per person each way from Toulouse airport or €55 from Toulouse train station, €30 each way from Cahors train station. Pick up from Figeac Station €10pp single. Pick up between 4pm and 5pm. Departure drop off between 10am and 1pm.
Season: 4 Apr - 27 Jun; 29 Aug - 24 Oct
Single room: It is possible to book a single room (for price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices).
Single supplement must be paid if booking alone.
Group size: Minimum 1, maximum 6 riders
Child discount: No
Age limit for riding: Min. 12 years
Weight limit: 90 kilos.
Currency: Euro
Accept Credit cards: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Electricity jack: EU standard
Pool: Yes, 12x5 m. Open from early June to late September. Pool towels are provided on site.
Saddle bag available: yes.
Special diet: Inform when booking.
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