Well the answer to that is simple – because we can offer you the very best of all worlds in a riding holiday:
1. Amazing horses for all abilities and every one of them just waiting to form a partnership with you to explore the fantastic country side around here on a different route each morning. Tanya and Chris have travelled all over France to find just the right characters to add to our herd in addition to our own homebred youngsters who have been slowly brought on until ready to join the team They are all well schooled, alert and loving life as much loved members of our family. This year we hope to have two of our home bred youngsters joining the team – Echo and Dream – in addition to out thoroughbred mare City and an additional Merens called Valkyrie aka Vallou.
2. Rides each morning are for around 3 hours in a world almost forgotten by time. You will ride along our many miles of chemin rurale without touching a main road through some stunning countryside offering a wealth of nature at different times of the year – fields overflowing with wild orchids, narcissi and a myriad of other wild flowers. Along shady woodland tracks, through open countryside and meander through tiny hamlets where you may see the odd tractor driven by a local farmer who will always offer a friendly greeting.
3. Beautiful and comfortable accommodation in a 16th century château situated in around 150 acres of land used solely for grazing our horses and making fantastic hay. We have 2 double rooms, one twin and one which can be either double or twin with a super kingsize bed which splits into two when required. All rooms are en suite and have a view over either the paddocks around the house or directly onto the garden. There are several shady places to relax in the garden as well as the pool (with pool towels provided) which is in a very secluded area and open from May to September. Next to the pool is a stone bread oven which houses a supply of cold drinks to keep you refreshed whilst relaxing. The vaulted dining room on the ground floor has an original stone fireplace and metre thick walls which make it a cool refreshing room at all times. On the first floor is an extremely comfortable salon with another original stone fireplace where everyone meets for a glass of wine and to chat over their day before dinner. You are of course welcome to use this room at any time throughout your stay.
4. Thinking about food, we will make sure you are very well looked after in this respect. The majority of our salads and vegetables are home grown and travel all of 100m from the garden via the Laumière kitchen to your plate. Other produce is largely locally sourced. Our guests start their day with a continental style buffet breakfast consisting of a choice of cereals, fresh baked bread, brioche, croissants and a choice of mainly home made preserves, orange juice. tea/coffee and fresh fruit. Lunch after the ride is 3 courses – entrée, main course and cheese with a choice of various homemade chutneys – wine. tea/coffee. Dinner after aperitif is again 3 courses -entrée, main course and desert – wine, tea/coffee. If told in advance we will also happily cater for gluten free, pescatarian and vegetarian diets. Our meals are innovative and made with a large variety of fresh seasonal ingredients. We are quite used to requests from our regular guests for their favorite meals and providing the ingredients are available at the time we are more than happy to oblige.
5. If you are not a rider, and quite a number of our guests aren’t, our area has many interesting villages/natural attractions within around half an hour’s drive that it would be easy to fill your time visiting. Walking, fishing and cycling are also popular pastimes. Alternatively,why not just switch off and relax by the pool or in a shady part of the garden and unwind with a book or not, the choice is entirely yours,in our incredibly peaceful setting .
6. Lastly, as if the above reasons are not enough, with all of the ups and downs in the markets at present which may be causing concern over exchange rates, if you are coming from a sterling area you can pay us directly in GBP and once here, unless you decide to travel around the area, you will not need another penny. How does that sound? We look forward to hearing from you/ seeing you soon.
There’s something very special about the Lot Valley in June.
The fields are bursting with colour and life, and the temperature is balmy. So, here are three excellent reasons to book your riding holiday in France then:
You’ll spot beautiful orchids
Plant-lovers will be amazed at the range of wild flowers in bloom in Lot during June. The area is famed for its wild orchids including:
Military orchid – a small, purple orchid which blooms on the roadside in the Lot Valley. Look out for this from mid-May onwards.
Greater butterfly orchid – lovely white flowers which look like small butterflies, growing in a V formation. They love sunny woodlands.
Lesser butterfly orchid – a beautiful white orchid found in wooded areas and blooming from May onwards. Can be distinguished from the greater version because the flowers are parallel.
Woodcock orchid – grows on verges and roadsides and is often mistaken for the larger bee orchid.
Bee orchid – a soft, pink flower which is seen in meadows and pastures in June.
Man orchid – a rare bloom found in the High Causse and in flower in June.
Red helleborine – grows on the edge of woods and flowers between April and June. Look for these flowers in the Foret de Braunhie.
Dark red helleborine – a rare flower which comes into bloom in late June. Look for it in rocky limestone in the High Causse.
Chalk fragrant orchid – a pink flower with a lovely scent, look for it in grasslands in June.
Common spotted orchid – flowers well into June. This flower loves chalk grasslands so look for them in fields and meadows.
Frog orchid – a rare bloom with a green-brown colour which makes it hard to spot. Look for it in open woodlands and fens throughout June and July.
Heath spotted orchid – a flower found on acidic soils including peat bogs and marshy pastures which is seen in June.
Bird’s nest orchid – lives in leaf litter in beech woodland and comes into flower in May and June.
You’ll enjoy pleasant weather
It won’t be too hot during your visit in June. The average temperature high is 25C and a night-time low of 12C. So, riding will be warm and comfortable – you won’t face searing temperatures. Plus, you’ll also be able to sleep well at night.
There is also an average of eight hours of sunshine a day. The climate here in June is balmy.
You’ll see amazing butterflies and birds
The proliferation of wild flowers mean Lot has many butterfly and moth species which you could see in June. Look out for rare Swallowtails, Meadow Fritillaries, Glanville, the Adonis Blue, and the Provencal Short-tailed Blue in limestone country including the Causse. In forests, you may see the Camberwell Beauty, Lesser Purple Emperor, Cardinal, and Southern White Admiral.
The number of insect species also attracts a large number of birds – perfect for any ornithologist. Look out for a hoopoe, short-toed eagle, marsh harriers, kites, buzzards, and black redstarts.
Are you ready to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Lot in June? Click here to book your riding holiday in France.
If you’re looking for a calm, willing horse which is also athletic and energetic, why not ride a Normandy Cob?
They are hardy French horses which resemble thoroughbreds with a more robust frame, and they are popular for driving and riding.
In fact, in 2011 more than 33% of the horses in the French driving championships were Normandy Cobs.
They are famed for the length of their striding trots, and their stud book records seal brown, chestnut, and bay colourings. Official records for the breed have been kept for almost 70 years – the first stud book was produced in 1950.
The breed was used by the French military to pull artillery and by the French postal service to deliver and pick up mail. The cob was also used widely in agriculture in Northern France.
It originated in Normandy as a cross between the small horses of the area, the bidets, and the Carrossier Normand, a now-extinct breed of carriage horse which was widely seen in the early 20th Century.
While other breeds were threatened by mechanisation in agriculture and other industries, Normandy Cob breeders crossed their horses with thoroughbreds and that contributed to the French national saddle horse breed, the Selle Français.
In the 1980s, breeders worked hard to stem the threat of inbreeding and genetic drift to ensure the Normandy Cob had a bright future. Now, they can be seen in different parts of France, especially in Calvados, Manche, and Orne.
Normandy Cobs are hugely popular for all sorts of equestrian pursuits because they are calm and have winning personalities.
What does a typical Normandy Cob look like?
These elegant horses generally stand between 15.25 hands and 16.35 hands high, and weigh between 550kg and 900kg.
There are large variations in weight and height throughout the breed, though, caused by the different uses for the horses.
Look for a square profile and a short back, a head with good proportions, a convex or straight facial profile, wide nostrils, and small ears.
Normandy Cobs have a deep chest, broad, angled shoulders, muscular, short legs, and powerful hindquarters. They have round, strong feet and shed their shaggy winter coats in Spring.
The most popular Normandy Cob colourings include bays with white markings, chestnut, and seal brown.
Meet our Normandy Cobs…
Dunka – Standing at 16.3 hands high, Dunka will be five this year. She is gentle, friendly, and loves to have fun. Our visitors adore her!
Bamboo – He will be four this year, and is a typical example of the calm, friendly Normandy Cob. Bamboo stands at 17 hands high, so is a large example of the breed. He is very popular with our riders.
Would you like to meet our Normandy Cobs in person? They’re ideal horses to develop your riding skills because they’re calm and friendly. Book your French riding holiday today. You can contact us here.
Get closer to horses and learn valuable skills with our intensive training
Have you hankered after a week-long experience which would allow you to spend as much time as possible with horses?
If so, our intensive training week would be an ideal experience for you. It’s back by popular demand in 2018 after two courses in May and September 2017 and will help you learn about horse care, bonding with your horse, and riding skills.
For the week starting May 5, 2018, we’re offering you our all-inclusive, bespoke intensive riding workshop holiday.
Alongside the long, leisurely rides for which Château de Laumière is famed, you’ll receive a one-to-one training programme which we tailor specially to your individual needs.
You’ll be able to spend the entire day handling and working with horses.
This is ideal for riders who want to learn more or those who want to improve their confidence.
For some riders, a fall or a scare can knock that confidence in the saddle.
Our highly-qualified riding instructor Tanya will help you overcome your fears. She is calm, sympathetic, and has years of experience.
The intensive course will give you valuable skills including:
Groundwork – the basis of riding and handling skills, with lunging, join-up, long-lining, and work on the ground.
Dressage – our manege is the perfect place to learn and hone dressage skills, especially if you’re interested in competitions.
Jumping – always wanted to jump but have never learned how? Perhaps you need a refresher after a break of several years. Come to our intensive course where our experienced instructor will show you what you need to know.
Whatever you need, we’ll tailor our course to help you. It’s all about helping you to enjoy horses and riding.
Our course is for all levels of rider, not just those who are very experienced, and you can attend whether you own your own horse or not.
It’s about developing your skills the way you want to take them. Whatever you want to do more of, we’ll help you achieve that.
We’ll be offering the usual morning ride, with intensive sessions in the afternoons.
Our intensive training week always starts with Tanya discussing the group’s needs, them formulating the training.
You’ll enjoy the beautiful countryside, riding trails free of traffic, authentic local cuisine, and relaxing atmosphere, too!
Meet our horses…
We have a horse to suit every rider – from traditional French Mérens horses to thoroughbreds.
Here are a few of them:
Hope – An Arab/Mérens cross standing at 14.3hh. A beautiful horse with a wonderful character.
Ursala – A beautiful Heinz standing at 14.3hh. A safe, comfortable, and kind horse.
Rocco – A Portuguese standing at 15hh. Bags of character and a sense of fun, but a safe ride.
Chico – An Andalucian standing at 16hh. One of our most popular horses, who loves our visitors.
Atila – A Lusitanian standing at 16.3hh. Likes to show off skills in dressage.
Nao – A Mérens standing at 15hh. A sensible and comfortable horse.
Would you like to book a place in our intensive training week? It’s worth doing so soon – they tend to go quickly. You can contact us here.
Give your horse-loving relative or friend the best Christmas ever
Wondering what to buy the horse-lover who has everything this Christmas?
Look no further! Organising a riding holiday in France for 2018 would be a wonderful surprise for them on Christmas morning.
Plus, if you book your riding holiday for 2018 now, you’ll get it at 2017 prices. It’s a win-win situation.
If you need more reasons to book, we’ve come up with seven excellent
Our horses are one of the best reasons to book with us. Our Arab/Mérens cross Hope was born at the château, and she has a wonderful character. Ayva, our Selle Français, is hugely popular with our visitors and we have traditional Mérens horses Nao and Mollie, half-siblings who are excellent examples of their breed. We have Spanish, Lusitanian, Andalucian, sports ponies, and a thoroughbred. Each has their own distinct character, and there is a horse to suit every rider. From kind and calm horses and ponies to horses experienced in dressage and events, you can view our horses here.
You’ll meet our foals! If your loved one loves horses, they’ll love meeting and interacting with our foals.
Your horse-lover will be delighted with a special trip to such a scenic part of France. Lot has many tranquil riding routes in beautiful countryside, and you won’t have to worry about traffic in the way you do in some parts of the UK.
There is plenty to see on our doorstep – from stunning walks along the river to visits to the prettiest villages in France. See our blog on some of the most beautiful villages in France here.
You’ll find some of the best cuisine in France. From mouth-watering local melons to tasty local recipes, our château gives you a true taste of authentic Lot. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy it – we cook and prepare all your meals. Find out more about the cuisine here.
We’re English-speaking owners who are fluent in French. We’re here to help you have the smoothest trip possible and our language skills could prove useful.
You can book your surprise present online – there’s no need to fight through the crowds to look for something special. That’s a huge bonus when we’re all so busy.
Enjoy relaxation and a little luxury
Visiting our château is like stepping back in time.
It has the original central stone staircase and several wonderful examples of 16th Century fireplaces.
Set within a hundred acres of land, the château has breath-taking views, a swimming pool, a manege, and a cross-country course.
The stable block is also conveniently close to the house.
A riding holiday in Château de Laumière gives you relaxation, good food, and luxurious accommodation.
Ready to book your 2018 break? If you book before the end of December, we’ll fix it at this year’s price. You can check out our prices here.
France is famed for its delicious dishes and succulent ingredients – and the huge diversity of its regional cuisine.
Visitors to the Château de Laumière will be able to sample the authentic taste of the Lot during their stay. Here are a few of the dishes and ingredients which will tempt your taste buds:
Aligot
This is a dish typical of the Occitane region, which originated as food for pilgrims making their way to Santiago de Compostella in Galicia.
It’s a fondue-like combination of mashed potatoes and cheese made with butter, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and cream. It has a smooth and elastic texture.
It is often made with Tomme de Laguiole or Tomme d’Auvergne cheese, though mozzarella and cantal can be substituted for them, and it is a dish beloved of local people in the area. Often, it is served with roast pork or Toulouse sausages and Auvergne red wine, and is a favourite at village celebrations and in street markets.
The dish originally included bread instead of potatoes, before the vegetable was introduced into France.
Salad Quercynoise
Most French regions have their own speciality summer salad – such as salad Nicoise on the Riviera.
The Quercy is the ancient province which combines the Lot, part of the Tarn, and part of the Garonne.
In the Lot area, you will find the delicious speciality salad is Quercynoise, with locally-grown walnuts as the essential element of this dish.
It is often served as an hors d’oeuvre with winter meals as well as a light lunch or side salad in summer.
Our version of the salad consists of lettuce with a vinaigrette dressing, jambon du pays (traditionally-cured ham), sliced smoked magret de canard (duck breast), lardons, gesiers (gizzards), walnuts, hard-boiled egg, and tomatoes. With the addition of a slice of foie gras on toast, it becomes a Gourmand Quercynoise.
Melons are grown widely in this area
Quercynoise melon
Quercy’s clay and limestone soil and warm climate is perfect for growing mouth-watering melons.
The clay helps the melons retain water and feeds them vital nutrients. They are often grown by small, family farms and they are a key part of the local economy.
They have banded together to form the Interprofessional Syndicate of Melon du Quercy, allowing the area to gain official recognition for the quality of its melonsas a Protected Geographical Indication.
Every fruit is identified by the Melon du Quercy sticker, and its orange-coloured flesh shows it is high in vitamin A. It is also a good source of vitamins B and C.
Duck breasts
Duck
France is famed for its duck dishes. They include magret de canard (or duck breast) and cuisse de canard or confit de canard (a duck leg cooked slowly and preserved in duck fat).
Foie gras is also a sought-after addition to several French dishes.
Often, duck gizzards cooked in duck fat (a confit) are added to salads.
Truffles
During the summer, highly-prized white truffles are sold in the markets of the Lot region. They are often served grated in omelettes or with foie gras.
Time to plan your next riding holiday in France?
Take a look at our prices and our availability here.
Whether you’re walking or on horseback, Lot is a wonderful place to see wildlife during your French riding holiday.
You could see all sorts of animals – from mammals and birds to insects and lizards.
The area has excellent natural habitats including woodlands, grasslands, and small areas along the River Lot where people once washed their clothes. They have now become mini wildlife sanctuaries, attracting all sorts of animals.
Here is some of the wonderful wildlife you could see during your stay:
Roe deer, known as Chevreuil in France, are a wonderful sight for our visitors. At certain times of the year, you will see them grazing in the fields.
You may be fortunate enough to spot a loirs, a large dormouse also known as the glis glis. Although their population is spread across rural France, they are not common.
The rare putois, a polecat, lives off frogs and small mammals and has been found across France. You may be lucky enough to come across this nocturnal relative of the ferret and otter.
Wild boar have been spotted across France. It is estimated there are two million of them in the country, and they tend to congregate in areas where agricultural land meets woodland.
Pine martens, known as martres in French, live in woodland across the French countryside, and you may well see red squirrels – now a rare sight in most of the UK.
A praying mantis
There is a wealth of insect life including the praying mantis, green scarab beetles, Be crickets or cri-cri in French, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, and moths and butterflies such as swallowtails and hawk moths – especially the humming bird hawk moth.
You may well see some lizards. Small brown lizards are relatively common, skittering around in the undergrowth. Although salamanders are rare, you may spot them. Treat them with respect – they are a protected species.
The bird life of Lot is rich. You’ll probably hear owls, including the Scops owl, cuckoos, and nightingales during your stay. You may spot marsh harriers, black redstarts, buzzards, or kites, and some visitors have reported seeing short-toed eagles flying above the limestone cliffs near Rocamadour. Many are keen to see a hoopoe, a small bird with an exotic look which is the size of a mistle thrush. It’s distinctive pink-brown body and crest, black and white wings, and black, downcurved bill make it simple to spot. These are rarely seen outside the very south of the UK, but are far more common in France.
Is it time to book your next riding holiday in France?
If you book next year’s stay before the end of December, we will fix it at this year’s price.
Try kayaking or canoeing to see the great outdoors in Lot
Whether you’re a horse rider looking to make the most of your time in Lot or countryside lover holidaying with an equestrian, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
From getting around on bikes or on foot to enjoying drifting along the River Lot in a kayak, here are some of our suggestions:
Hiking
For an easy 4km walk which takes an hour, take a 30-minute drive to the village of Arcambal where you will discover the banks of the Rover Lot, the village, and the medieval castle. Find out more here.
You’ll find an intermediate walk 5km away from Promilhanes in Limogne-en-Quercy.
The Malecargue Fountain Circuit is a 10km walk which takes three hours and 15 minutes.
It starts outside the Maison des Associations, a large white building, and the route takes you through the hamlet of Mas de Charrou where there is a distinctive dovecote tower.
You’ll also see the Bouzou fountain, an old windmill, and the Malecargue fountain.
The route also gives you the opportunity to spot the flora and fauna of Lot. Find out more here.
For stunning views and a five-hour, 50km walk, take the path from Arcambal to Saint Cirq-Lapopie, then follow the towpath carved from the cliff face to Bouziès and back to the start.
Or, you could cut the time and length you walk by starting and ending your walk in Saint Cirq-Lapopie.
Talk to us about local walks around our base in Promilhanes.
Cycling
The Lot Valley is paradise for cyclists.
The countryside is beautiful but less busy than the popular Dordogne to the north.
There are several fine cycling routes near Cahors, which is a 40-minute drive away from Promilhanes, and from Lamothe to Saint Cirq-Lapopie, where there are stunning vistas between rocky outcrops and the chance to visit the small towns of St Gery and Vers before ending the tour in one of France’s most beautiful villages.
There are options to suit all levels of cyclist – from those who prefer a sedate ride to thrill-seekers who are looking for off-road cyclins and hilly routes. We have many parents or partners of horse riders who like to explore the countryside on two wheels. Ask us for our recommendations for routes close to our base.
Kayaking or canoeing
At nearby Villefranche de Rouergue, there is a water sports centre which offers kayaking and canoeing on the Aveyron.
The site also offers boat hire and boat tours of the river which offers gorgeous scenery along its banks.
The Averyron river offers 300km of navigable white water, with sports including rafting and canyoning also on offer for the adventurous.
The Célé Valley is also a popular spot for enjoying the river – along with its attractions to potholers.
The River Célé joins the River Lot at Bouziès.
Talk to us to get the local knowledge you need to plan your river trips.
Is it time to arrange your next riding holiday in France? Book here.
Lot has some of the prettiest towns and villages in France, perfect for a visit during your riding holiday.
Here are our top 5:
Visit the narrow, picturesque streets of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. In 2012, it was voted ‘The Favourite Village of the French’ and has been awarded the status of being one of the most beautiful villages in the country.
Part of the village is a listed monument, and it is an excellent village to wander around on foot.
The streets are lined with buildings made from golden-coloured stone. Many are charming craft shops or art galleries.
Art-lovers should visit the Rignault Museum, named after the painter and collector who was the site’s owner in the early 20th Century. It has temporary exhibitions of contemporary and modern art alongside the museum’s own collection.
You can also visit its impressive Gothic church built in 1522.
The village clings to cliffs 100 metres above the River Lot, and there are impressive views.
Look for the lock and mill of Aulanac, and the villages of Tour de Faure and Calvignac.
You can get fine views of the village itself by walking up the Peyrolerie.
Walk down to the river, and you can stroll along the tow path next to the river – a path which was carved into the rock face in 1847.
Look out for the beautiful reliefs carved on the rock walls of the towpath. They were created in 1985.
Along that towpath, you’ll come to Bouziès.
It is known for its fine suspension bridge spanning the river between impressive cliffs.
It’s a busy base for tourists taking trips along the river – an excellent way to see local villages. It is also a wonderful base for anyone looking to explore nearby caves.
Walking under fortifications created during the 100 Years War, you’ll leave Bouziès under the “Castle of the English”.
Nestled in the heart of Cahors vineyards, the medieval village of Puy l’Evêque clings to a rocky promontory overlooking the River Lot.
Wander around its lanes and steps and spot its historic sculptures. There are streets named after its medieval trades – nail makers, dyers, and boatmen.
Walk down to the old quayside which was once abuzz with industry. At the top of the village, there is a 13th Century tower and the church of Saint-Sauveur, which dates to the 14th and 15th Centuries. Explore its Gothic nave.
You can take a boat trip or watch local ceramics being made.
Cahors is a town built by medieval merchants and bankers.
It has an impressive bridge, the 14th Century Pont Valentré fortified against the English in the 100 Years War, which has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
Cahors also has many medieval townhouses.
Its cathedral has a Roman-style entrance, attractive frescoes, and a cloister.
The Museum Henri-Martin tells the story of the town’s history in its artefacts.
Cahors is in wine country, so you will be able to buy excellent local wines, and it is famed for its beautiful gardens.
In Villefranche de Rouergue, founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, there is a chequerboard network of streets all leading to the main square in the tradition of Bastide towns.
They were built on commerce and their position near the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella.
There are arcades which are topped by Renaissance and Gothic houses. Visit the impressive Notre Dame Collegiate Church and the nearby Carthusian monastery completed in 1459.
Are you ready to organise your next French riding holiday? Book here.
If you’re looking to ride a sure-footed, hardy, and docile horse, look no further than a Mérens.
Also known as Ariégeois ponies or Cheval de Mérens, the small horses are native to the Ariégeois and Pyrenees mountains of the south of France.
Always black, the Mérens can either be a small and traditional mountain horse, or a taller, more modern horse.
They were often used for farming and as pack horses because of their superior endurance, and were traditionally taken on a summer migration higher into the mountains – a practice which is being revived in the area.
Now, Mérens horses are used primarily for riding and carriage driving.
The breed standard says a Mérens should have an ideal height of 14.1 to 15.1 hands and a weigh 400kg to 500kg.
Their black coats can take on a ruddy tinge in the winter and foals can be born silver-grey, black, or coffee-coloured. Their coats become black as they grow.
Some may have small, white markings on their face.
Thousands of years of Mérens history
The Mérens breed is thought to have originated in prehistoric times, either from Iberian horses or Oriental horses brought to the area by settlers coming from the east.
There are records of small black horses in the area which go back to the time of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
They have been associated with famous historic figures include Charlemagne and Napoleon Bonaparte. They pulled the artillery used by Napoleon’s Grand Army in its Russian campaign.
Smugglers used these horses to haul their ill-gotten gains through the Pyrenees, they were used by miners, and at the end of the 19th Century they had become known as light cavalry horses.
Widespread cross-breeding had led to decline in the pure-bred population. So, in 1908 a local agricultural society too charge of the breed, creating a registry in 1933 and a stud book in 1948 under the control of the French National Stud.
As machines replaced horses in French agriculture, the population declined disastrously, putting the breed on the verge of extinction in the 1970s.
Then, there were just 40 pure-breed Mérens horses registered with the stud book and a reported 2,000 animals of Mérens descent.
How hippies saved the breed
Hippies looking to escape the rat race and become self-sufficient discovered the breed when they moved to the Ariège mountains.
They resettled areas which had become depopulated and brought a welcome boost to the local economy.
They also started Mérens breeding programmes, just at the time there was a resurgence in interest in riding during the mid-1970s.
Many Mérens horses are descended from a semi-feral horse called Bonbon who was orphaned by an accident and raised on goat milk, returning later in life to his herd in the mountains as a prize stallion.
Numbers recovered to a reported 4,000 animals in 1985 and there are 600 pure-bred horses now in the stud book. There are now around 500 births every year.
One genetic study in 2008 however, still considered the traditional Mérens an at-risk breed.
The breed has become more and more popular. In fact, French magazine Cheval Pratique ranked the Mérens one of the 23 most beautiful horse breeds.
There are now Mérens horses registered in Italy and Belgium, and some are reported in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, India, and Tunisia.
In 1998, the French National Stud reclassified the Mérens as horses rather than ponies.
Our Mérens horses, half-sisters Nao and Mollie, are beautiful examples of the breed.
Both are docile and sure-footed – and ready to meet you!
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