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Horse
Riding
At Le Couret horse riding can be arranged throughout the year, for
beginners to more advanced riders. From 1 hour sessions to more
adventurous activities such as this horse riding break.
Horse Riding Break-
see Courses
We have put together for you an amazing experience which includes 3 days
on horseback through this beautiful undiscovered part of the Auvergne,
followed by 3 days at Le Couret Spa retreat where you can either rest
and relax, or continue exploring this bountiful region of France
The three days on horseback involve trekking through the undulating
Combrailles Hills which are found just beyond the Puys mountain range
and reach down towards Limousin. Here the land comprises a huge
crystalline rock plateau which lies in the western part of the Auvergne
region and which has been harmoniously eroded with time. It is a blend
of hedged farmland, moors and forest.
Yet hidden within this landscape are many torrents, streams and rivers
which have formed deep gorges which are almost impassable.
The horses lead through Les Gorges de la Sioule (The Sioule Gorges), a
place where green forests have colonised the steep slopes and rocky
outcrops along the river’s edge. Each day is rounded off with delicious
home cooked food wine and good company and an overnight stay at hand
picked accommodation.
Programme Outline:
You will arrive
at Le Couret the evening before the horse riding, where you can take a
swim, relax, explore the grounds, have a game of tennis and unwind with
an aperitif followed by dinner prepared from fresh local ingredients.
DAY 1: Ayat Sur Sioule – Sauterre
We will set off from Ayat Sur Sioule, the home of General Desaix, a
short drive from Le Couret. Our horses will then take us across the
River Sioule to the crystalline plateau and to the middle levels of the
Combrailles hills and on to one of the most famous archaeological sites
in the Auvergne – Le Gour de Tazenat. This is an ancient crater which is
almost completely circular in shape with very steep sides and holds
within it crystal clear water about 68m deep. Dinner and overnight stay
in Sauterre.
DAY 2: Sauterre – Saint Jacques d’Ambur
After leaving La Roche de Sauterre (The Rock of Sauterre) the highest
point of the Combrailles Hills (977 metres) our horses will take us
along the “Fais’ Art” route onto the Montfermy Waterfall where we will
cross the River Sioule via a ford to arrive at the ruins of Chartreuse
de Port Ste Marie.
Dinner and overnight stay at St Jaques d’Ambur
Day 3: St Jacques d’Ambur – Ayat sur Sioule
We will set off along the Barrage des Fades (The Fade Dam) whose main
feature is a viaduct (1901-1909) built and designed by Felix Virard.
Then we will reach the village of Queuille with its famous ‘meander’ and
follow the river Sioule to Chateauneuf Les Bains a spa town, famous for
its healing waters and cures for rheumatism. After one last short climb
up hill we will arrive back at our starting point, Ayat sur Sioule.
The final days of the week will be at Le Couret
where you can enjoy our Ciel D’Or spa menu and indulge in some well
deserved pampering or for the more adventurous you can go kayaking down
the river Sioule, hiking in the mountains, enjoy a game of tennis or
have a swim in our indoor pool.
The horse riding breaks are
being run in
May &
September 2008
For more details please
contact Le Couret direct.
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