Chateau de Curzay France
The Château de Curzay is a delightful 4 star hotel with just 22 rooms. There is an excellent restaurant, 'La Cédraie", with one Michelin star. A stay at Le Château is every horse rider's dream. In the heart of the 120 hectares park, L'Atelier du Cheval (the Rider's workshop) offers a tailor-made riding programme for both adults and children at all levels of experience.L'Atelier du Cheval provides a full range of equestrian activities where a total novice can ride for the sheer pleasure of it, or a champion sportsperson can practice and improve skills. Les Écuries de Curzay: specialist n horse breeding using methods developed from the 19th Century in the heart of the Estate.The Château's grounds can be discovered on long walks to the river in the middle of cedar, copper beech, box and oak treeson Melusine's path alone or as part of the fun treasure hunt. The Grounds are perhaps best enjoyed on horse back, in particular the “Enchanted Morning” ride takes guests to spot wild life in the park, followed by a picnic lunch on the banks of the river. You can also explore by bike and ride to neighbouring villages. You can also enjoy just lying by the lovely heated pool and wait for lunch served under the the cedar trees, or in the Country Bistro. The Château's vegetable garden provides fresh produce for the three restaurants. French cookery and desert course available. Also, the 'Atelier du Vin' offers wine courses. Golf, balloon flights, bicycling, pool and spa.
The Riding:
- Dressage reprise, Jumping technical approaches
- Care and grooming of the Horses
- Discovery of the Estate
-Picnic by the river after a ride
- Jumping Course in Le Château's collecting ring
- Video sequence
- Small cross round in the Park
- Techniques and adaptation to different horses races.
- dressage tests
- « Masters de Curzay » : Mini Show Jumping round on four differents horses
Riding courses:
-Are you riding for the First Time ? Let our staff guide you on our horses specially trained for beginners to ride. Gentle and sweet-natured, they will take you on an unforgettable ride around the estate.
-Are you an experienced rider? We will take you into the heart of the estate, to explore its 120 hectares with a gallop along the river.
Equestrian Excursions in the Estate of Curzay
and Picnic on the River side
This riding day is perfect for beginners as for confirmed riders.
It will start from the stables and continue with the Park discovery and perhaps a roe deer search. The riders will have a few minutes of respite on "La Source de Mélusine"'s border. Then they will pass by the river where it is not unusual to bump into wild ducks or grey Herons. The Picnic hampers are prepared by our Michelin starred Chef, Nicolas Isnard.
Horseriding and Picnic on the River side: £115 per person
Childrens' Days. from aged 7 to 12 years.
If they are allowed they will sleep on the straw with thier ponies says Karim ! He will help the children develop a unique bond between them and their ponies. He will teach them to share some special moments as they learn how to look after the needs of their ponies.
This is a full day, with a break for lunch (with parents at the hotel), or half-day. They will start with preparing their ponies, then learning some dressage technicques, playing games, participating in a small competition of timed slalom to win, perhaps, a trophy. Afternoons are spent out on a lovely ride in the estate before returning to the stables and caring and feeding their pony.
Half day: £70, full day £114 (9.30 to 5pm with a break for lunch).
Riding prices:
Ride in the Park for experienced riders : £75 per person
'Passion Course' at the Atelier du Cheval £123 per rider & per day
Improve your correct seat , Recover your confidence , Progress gently in the control of the relation with the horse , Begin your initiation to jumping, dressage
Ride in the Park with Picnic hamper on the River side (beginner or experienced riders) : £115 per person
Evolution Course at L’Atelier du Cheval €150 per rider per day
Train for the competition season, change of shows category, master your technique in horse riding, jumping and dressage
Owner Course at L’Atelier du Cheval : 120€ per day & per horse
You come with your horse at the riders Relais & Châteaux to Improve the reliability of the relationship between you and your horse, Work with your horse, Improve your approach in jumping and dressage. €15 per day at the stables of Les Ecuries du Château
Pro Coaching option £30 extra per person per day
Karim Benhaddad, 1st category rider in Show Jumping will work with you personally during your course (Passion, Evolution, Owner). Private Lessons, technical Advice, Video Correction...
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Children welcome for riding from aged 5. The fully qualified instructor, Caroline, will lead them on hacks on foot or ride alongside depending on their ability.
Tack: English style tack. Riding hats available but we always recommend that you take your own.
Getting there:
Air: Ryanair have flights to the local airport, Poitiers, from Edinburgh, Girona (Barcelona) and London-Stansted. Airlinair also has a service from Nice.
Train: By TGV to POITIERS
1h30 from PARIS - 1h30 from BORDEAUX
By car: From Paris
Take the motorway A10 direction BORDEAUX . Take the exit 30 : LUSIGNAN.
Take ANGOULEME direction by RN 10 then N11 direction LUSIGNAN
In COULOMBIERS, on the right, D 95 direction JAZENEUIL then Curzay-sur-vonne
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to France at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
Consumer protection
As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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