Chateau De Chazelles

15/05/2015

Just a few photos and news received from CdC horses in their new homes. Bravo everyone!!! New homes still needed for Handsome Harold and Valentino.

31/01/2015

17 May SPECIAL RIDING WEEK WITH CLAUDIO IN THE CAMARGUE -
This is a chance to spend a week in on a privately arranged trip with one of the most experienced guides in the whole of the Camargue, riding through private estates, and the extraordinary beaches, marshlands, and UNESCO protected sites on his best horses.
a great chance to stay on the weekend after for the Gitan Festival and pigrimage (not to be missed!) Riding can be arranged on the non riding day for extra-keenies, and this is a great time of year for minimum mosquito activity.

Sunday 17 May: Arrival at Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, Welcome dinner – you know the score -
Monday: In the morning, meet your horses, and have in-depth instruction in the Camargue riding style on expertly trained horses and proper Camargue tack. In the afternoon, 3.5h ride to the beach, lagoons and marshlands, returning at through the sunset.

Tuesday: Arrival at the riding centre in the morning to set off for a day on horseback. Inland paths and tracks will take us to the Manade des Baumelles near Cabanes de Cambon. Lunch at the Mas. In the afternoon, tour of the Manade of Camargue bulls. We will have the chance to get a little closer to the bulls (only if you want, but I can tell you its not scary!) in the company of the breeder. In the afternoon, the lovely paths and tracks alongside the Petit Rhône take us to the Pont de Sylvéréal. After crossing the bridge on horseback, we leave the Camargue behind us to enter the Little Camargue which is very much private land. Continuing along the other side of the river, we arrive at the village of Pin Fourcat where the horses will spend the night. Transport for riders back to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer in an off-road vehicle.
Wednesday: arrival at the Mas de la Pinède in an off-road vehicle in the morning before saddling up the horses to tour the Mas on horseback. This private property stretches across some 800 hectares and is home to a herd of Camargue bulls that are bred here and live as if in the wild. We are really lucky to have Claudio’s knowledge here as this is not something normally offered to individual tourists or riders. Here we'll help the Gardians to gather the herd, giving us the chance to work on horseback amongst the livestock. We’ll then head off to the spectacular beaches and lagoons of the Grand Radeau for aperitif and lunch. In the afternoon, we head back and take the horses by tiny,flat ferry across the Petit Rhône (an unforgettable experience !), where we are then picked up by car and the horses return by lorry. (we could return as usual on horseback but we’ve substituted the Grande Radeau lagoons and completely private, unspoilt beaches and land)

Thursday: free day. A chance to visit Roman Arles, or the lovely walled town of Aigues Mortes, visit the ornithological park, or stay and explore Saintes Maries… or more riding !. ( your holiday days are precious – we’ll put together something really special – we will always have something going on together or we’ll organise and cost something just for you)

Friday: full-day ride (6h) with lunch on the beach – we are going to head right round the crescent of the Camargue, right to the famous Beauduc lighthouse.
This is an AMAZING RIDE which isn’t offered often as access is difficult at the end, for both people and horses – but its WELL WORTH IT - Transport back to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer in an off-road vehicle.

Saturday: Ride around Vaccares lake and UNESCO protected lagoons (remember the great Alistair Maclean book and following 70s film with Charlotte Rampling ?) In the late afternoon we’ll have a memorable farewell aperitif and tapas in a‘cabane’ near the beach of a local artisan who makes furniture and objects out of driftwood ; we’ll return to the stables through the sunset. Farewell dinner

Sunday: end of the programme, departure. This is a chance to stay on independently for one of the most important festivals in the Camargue Calendar, the ‘Fete des Gitans’ this takes place on the Sunday and Monday, with Sunday being the most important and interesting day. Gitans gather for this festival from all over the world, wearing their traditional costumes, and the Camargue gardians will also be showing off their horses.

cost 950 euros
Included in the programme cost: Riding, Guides, Lunches except for Thursday. Transport to and from Saintes Maries where specified, Welcome and farewell dinners.
Not included : Accommodation, flights, transport to and from Saintes Maries at the beginning and end of the programme (available 20euros PP each way). Dinners on evenings Monday to Friday (available, 20 euros PP).
Options have been taken on a hotel (breakfast included) Pont Blanc in Saintes Maries at 75 euros per room per night, otherwise there is a possible option of arranging joint gite accommodation Sat-Sat which normally works out at 150-200 a week (sharing room) – please enquire.

12/09/2014

12/09/2014

for over two years he is the star;( group this week insist on calling him KING Harold as he is so perfect.....°

09/09/2014

04/09/2014

unfortunately wasn't able to kidnap Eilberg's gorgeous horse Half Moon Delphi.........

01/09/2014

Hello from the WEG/JEM - from Lily and Norman.

01/09/2014

J'ai deux billets gratuites dispo pour le JEM CSO Mercredi aprem. (3 Sept) -) SVP de se partager cet info - couchage dispo aussi dans notre gite (canapés!) si besoin...!..

05/08/2014

Gorgeous! wish we had space for more Young Carrabawns, we love ours ;)

3 Geildings by Young Carrabawn Broken and riding.

02/08/2014

great fun!

31/07/2014

just over three months ago this pony was running wild in the Connemara hills having never been handled. we got him in about 6 weeks ago after being abandoned by a French buyer and Cindy has just worked him quietly and now he is just lovely and willing and ready to go! thanks to Paul from Chantilly Farm in Galway for this gorgeous pony.

31/07/2014

Cindy steps up the pace with handsome Harold...

31/07/2014

Super Stan shows the way...

31/07/2014

A tree has fallen across one of our favourite riding paths - what a shame! Cindy is obviously concerned and unhappy that we have to jump our way out....

30/07/2014

From next year we can rent out the whole chateau - Ideal for family holidays, special anniversaries, weddings, or business team building weekends.... dining for up to 40 or a marquee option for more. Self catering or we can provide catering to high standard. 15 can comfortably be accommodated in the chateau and more in hotels/BandB nearby. Far less expensive than many GB alternatives and much more fun! inexpensive flights from UK by easyjet to Lyon. Please pass on to anyone you think might be interested!

30/07/2014

His Alpha-male status threatened by the reappearance of the Matster, Stan decides to take action and bag the 'penthouse suite' !

29/07/2014

Matty and Yeats back for their holidays. Clear this weekend at 1.20 and Yeats in her 1m young horse class, they both deserve a month of grassy paddocks and chilling out on our hacks.

20/07/2014

Bravo Aurelie Jaros - June progressing really well with this hugely talented rider. If you are looking for a classy junior jumping pony, with a top class full Connemara pedigree you can't go wrong - a cert for class 1 mare grading. Lovely excuse for a weekend or holiday trial as Aurelie lives near Pompadour national stud which is beautiful. Easy transport to the UK and Scandinavia for horses from France.

Vidéo téléversée depuis Samsung Intelli-studio

20/07/2014

lovely people, lovely weather, fabulous local produce in season (strawberrys and melons this week were deeelicious!) and the horses were just great this week - we are really proud of them

04/07/2014

more good weather this week but yesterday was a scorcher!