Comfort
During the trail you will be staying in guest houses or gîtes. The rooms are shared between 2 to 3 riders.
Gite accommodation in France don’t typically provide bed linen or towels, so please make sure to bring a sleeping bag and your own towel.
Meals
Typical French breakfasts (toast, butter, jam, juice, tea/coffee).
At lunch you may stop at a local restaurant, while on some other days you can expect picnic lunches (sit down picnics). They can consist of a variety of salads, quiches, cheese, and more.
Dinners will most often be prepared by the hosts at the guest houses.
Climate
Summers are very hot with little rainfall, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C. Winters vary, often with sub-zero temperatures and night frosts, but the climate remains relatively mild. Please note that in this area there is a risk of summer thunderstorms.
Tips
In France, it is customary to tip at coffees and restaurants - usually this is by rounding up the price and not mandatory. You may wish to leave a tip with the guide who can split it amongst all members of the team - this is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion (we recommend €30-40 per person, split between the team)
Packing list
Please pack carefully and sensibly: the following guide is here to give you an idea of what to bring. This list must be adapted depending on the season and individual needs.
Keep in mind that your luggage will be transported by a back-up vehicle so please travel light.
Head
- Riding helmet
- Cap or hat for the sun
- A bandana, scarf or shawl to protect the neck or face from dust and sun
- A pair of high protection sunglasses
Upper body
- Cotton T-shirts + long-sleeved shirts (for protection against the sun) or T-shirts made of fast-drying technical materials.
- 1 light fleece or equivalent jumper or 1 warm fleece or equivalent
- 1 waterproof jacket.
Legs
- 1 or 2 pairs of riding pants
- 1 change of trousers (hiking or jeans or equivalent)
- 1 pair of waterproof over trousers
- Non-irritating cotton or synthetic underwear
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the elements
Sleeping
- Pyjamas
- Sleeping bag
Other useful items
- Water bottle
- Fast drying towel
- Earplugs
- Swiss Army knife or equivalent
Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- A soothing cream to alleviate any areas irritated by long days spent in the saddle
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
Our Recommendations
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- You should also bring a copy of your passport/insurance in case you lose your documents. You can also save a copy into your mobile phone.
