Riding horses on a beach in France
France > Bordeaux - The Atlantic Coast

Discover the Atlantic coast on horseback

The Atlantic Coast, extending to the Dordogne in the east and the Basque Country in the south, offers some of the best riding trails in France. With beautiful vine-stripped hills and long sandy beaches, it is the perfect destination for your next riding holiday. Foodies and wine lovers are also in for a treat, as the region has some of the best French cuisine and most renowned vineyards! Still slightly less busy than the Mediterranean coast, the Atlantic Coast is probably one of the wildest regions in France. Get back to nature, enjoy the French art de vivre, and come back from your horseback holiday feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
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From the horse’s mouth

  • Aquitaine - Trail riding along the Atlantic shore
    October 2019 Ai Li aged 45
    It was a really unique experience to have the opportunities to canter one-by-one through the forest and on the beach. The horses and strong and fast. The guide observed the riders to ensure safety as well as providing pointers for the riders. The accommodation was comfortable and the food was great!! They even have a... Read all
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  • Aquitaine - Trail riding along the Atlantic shore
    November 2018 Gwen Marie
    Michel and Anette, the hosts, were very welcoming and provided excellent accomodations, the horses were forward-going and there were frequent gallops at fast pace over 1/2-2km. The guide, Michel, was an amazing navigator over sometimes bushy terrain. Overall, an excellent trip! Titan, about 8-9 years old, a French... Read all
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  • Aquitaine - Trail riding along the Atlantic shore
    September 2018 Patricia aged 62
    The trip far exceeded my expectations. The guide's passion for his horses shone through. The horses were amazing, well behaved and forward going. Both Michel and Annette made us feel welcome and went out of their way to make the trip extra special. The riding was amazing, with lots of long gallops through the forests... Read all
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Visa & Health

Formalities

UK citizens - other nationalities please contact us:

Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

The rules on travel will stay the same until 31 December 2020.

Visas
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter France.

The rules on travel will stay the same until 31 December 2020.

For up-to-date information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements

Health

UK Citizens: A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. It does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment.

Insurance

It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides will require your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.

Choosing the right riding holiday

Choosing the right riding holiday

The Aquitaine is a historical region tucked into the southwestern corner of France, bordering Spain and the Pyrenees in the south and the Atlantic coast in the west – over 150 miles of it! You may be familiar with some of its best-known areas: the Medoc (home to many famous vineyards), Arcachon, the Landes, the Basque Country, Dordogne, Perigord… Aquitaine offers an incredibly varied environment – perfect for a French horseback vacation!


  • Basque Country and Atlantic beaches – The best of both worlds! Ride from the beautiful green mountains of the Basque country before enjoying glorious rides along the Atlantic Ocean. Good for riders who want to experience a variety of landscapes and mountain trails.

  • Perigord to the Atlantic – An endurance ride for experienced and fit riders happy to send long hours in the saddle, and for those who are comfortable with a faster pace.