It may be hard to believe right now but it’s true – winter doesn’t last forever and we have some fantastic offers for bookings made in January & February.
Stop looking out of your window at the grey sky and take a good look around the site. Then, get in touch with us now.
Do you ride regularly but not actually own your own horse? Is it your dream or are you just curious as to what’s involved? Well for week commencing Saturday 27 May you can make that dream come true for a week. Take this opportunity to experience horse ownership in the most ideal surroundings with the reassurance that there is a knowledgeable team on hand to help if needed. Own a horse week enables you to to be as hands on with your four legged friend as you wish to find out what it’s really like to have a horse of your own.
Training Week – 16 September
Last year’s training week was a real success and we were asked to think about another one this year. Well we did and scheduled it in for the beginning of May – it was full almost as soon as we advertised it and there has been interest shown in another one being added. We have looked at the diary and can now say that we will offer this for week beginning Saturday 16 September. If you’re interested do get in touch asap.
Some people mentioned that they were a little worried by the phrase ‘Intensive Training’ as they thought it meant it was only for very experienced riders so let me put your mind at rest over this because that really isn’t the case at all. It’s more of a usual week with the opportunity to do extra training – riding, horse care, bonding with your horse or whatever you have problems with or want to do more of. It’s for riders of all levels – horse owners or not – and as with all of our rides it’s tailored to you. There is the usual morning ride then as an addition in the afternoons Tanya can help you to work on any issues that you would like help with. She will talk everything over with the whole group at the beginning of the week and work out a program that fits and can be worked on through the week.
The mares went off to stud yesterday – very excited. Wonder why?
Maybe because they knew that these two handsome guys were waiting at Haras de Cazals for them. Quoutsou on the left and After Eight des Muses on the right.
Just to bring you up to date, we’ve been busy around the country adding new members to the team for this year. Here goes –
Some of you will already have met our first arrival who came in September last year but for those of you who came earlier in the year meet Atila taking his first look around at his new home as he came out of the box
He travelled well and was very calm after his journey of around three hours. Off to his paddock for a rest and then hopefully ready for a light workout in the school tomorrow.
He took it all in his stride and he and Tanya got on very well together
What a star and Tanya’s face says ‘I just love this guy!’
He’s gone on from here and they have competed very successfully in several dressage competitions through the winter season. He’s up and going and ready to accompany rides this summer.
Our second new arrival came just before Christmas. Tanya and Chris set off at 5.00am with the trailer for what ended up as a 15hr trip to see a very big boy to join the team, namely a Normandy Cob. During this epic journey they passed through the volcanic mountains of the Massif Central and here is one of the shots that Tanya took from the motorway
When they finally got home it was too dark for photos so here he is saying good morning to Atila over the fence this morning – Tonnerre.
It’s quite amazing what a big horse can do – here’s Chris mounted for the first time in ages and out enjoying time with Tonnerre after only a few days of getting to know him. He’s settled in really well and is now waiting to meet you all soon.
For number three we all set off for the day on a trip to look at several horses that we had seen. Sun was shining and a lovely lunch followed by finally seeing a really beautiful girl. Having ridden her and talked over Tanya and Chris set off next day yet again with trailer and when they got back Ursala had arrived.
Out of the trailer and looking around
Starting to fit in with the team working with Chloe
These new guys are now getting along very well with the existing team and as usual everyone is looking forward to seeing you all very soon
Have you returned to work after the Christmas break yet?
The festive holidays are wonderful – filled with loving family and friends, good food and general merry-making. But, whether your answer to our top-of-the-blog question is ‘yes’ or ‘no’, the impending return of Real Life™ is always there, lurking in the background.
Dappled shade and perfect peace and quiet on one of the horse riding trails near Château de Laumière
There’s no wonder holiday companies are touting their wares on the TV and internet right now – the promise of another break from Real Life™ is what keeps many people going in those cold and wet and dark and personal battery-draining winter months.
So, how about this?
At the luxurious and tranquil Château de Laumière we welcome guests for horse riding holidays from the end of April.
It is a magical time of year in our little corner of southwest France. The sun shines often. It is pleasantly short-sleeved-shirt warm. The sky is usually that clear and utterly enviable shade of touched-up picture-postcard blue.
In May, daffodils fill the fields in cheery gold and white, and beautiful orchids turn quiet roadside verges into a riot of colour. Meanwhile, exotic and wonderful birds fill the sun-warmed cornflower-blue skies as deer, boar and red squirrels patrol our dappled green forest trails.
Imagine getting away from it all somewhere like this. Imagine forgetting the hustle and bustle and rush of the real world. Imagine waking up to another perfect day. Imagine feeling deliciously warm sun on your face. Imagine riding a carefully chosen horse on a carefully planned hack through enchanting sleepy French villages and unspoiled, tree-filled countryside.
Here’s the thing. You don’t have to imagine it. You’re more than welcome to join us here at Château de Laumière and enjoy it all for real. And don’t forget – if you hurry and book your luxury horse-riding holiday at the château before the clock strikes midnight and the strains of Auld Lang Syne ring out on December 31, you can enjoy your 2016 holiday in our peaceful and beautiful corner of southwest France at 2015 prices.
Are you still looking for that perfect Christmas gift for the horse-riding loved one in your life who has everything? How about a château?
We’re not joking.
Obviously, it’s impossible to fit an entire French castle under the tree (not to mention the climate-changing amount of paper you would need to wrap one) but we think we have come up with the next best – and much more eco-friendly – thing. A gift voucher for a luxury riding holiday at Château de Laumière.
Wouldn’t you love to see the look on your loved-one’s face as they open a modest and unassuming envelope on Christmas morning to see something very special like this inside? It contains the promise of a relaxing holiday next year at our friendly and luxurious château in the picture-perfect Lot, riding along beautiful and peaceful trails, through enchanting villages and unspoiled tree-filled countryside.
A holiday here won’t break the bank, either. If you book your 2016 holiday at the elegant and tranquil 400-year-old château before the end of December, you and your loved ones can enjoy a relaxing luxury equestrian break at 2015 prices.
Alternatively, if you have already catered for everyone else this Christmas, how about treating yourself? Surely you deserve a little luxury you-time about as far away from the daily stresses and strains of real world as it is possible to get?
Remember: if you book your 2016 horse-riding holiday before December 31, 2015, you can look forward to a wonderful break in France next year at this year’s prices.
We have enjoyed another super summer at Château de Laumière. But now, as crisp autumn in our little corner of French paradise adds a beautiful blaze of burnished gold to the trees, we’re busy settling down for the winter after a busy holiday season.
The chateau’s friends and guests – for that is how we think of you all – have all now headed home, leaving lasting, fond memories.
It has been our immeasurable pleasure to welcome so many of you back to Château de Laumière for another holiday – not to mention all the new friends who stayed with us for the first time. We hope you all had a wonderful time here, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.
In fact, previous guests who book their 2016 holiday with us before the end of October can stay here at this year’s prices plus five percent discount.
We can pretty much promise that the weather will be kind next year. It is very easy to be lucky with the elements here, and summer 2015 was no exception.
The sun shone bright and warm for most of the time and the sky was that lovely cornflower blue that looks as if it has been touched-up in photographs. It was, on the whole, another perfect summer for exhilarating morning rides through the quiet Lot countryside, followed by lazy, restful afternoons by the pool. It’s safe to say that the weather did its bit in making so many holidays so special.
The scenery, too, continued to exceed expectations. It is genuinely beautiful here in the gentle, rolling hills of our corner of Lot, where enchanting villages give way unfussily to unspoilt tree-filled countryside. But, of course, you’d know all about that if you have stayed here.
There is, of course still plenty to do at the château, even though it is no longer holiday season.
Tanya checks out a possible new route
Our riding school is open all year, even when the château is closed, and the horses – who give our guests and friends so much pleasure throughout the summer – need plenty of care and attention.
Meanwhile, Tanya has been out exploring more of the stunning countryside surrounding the château, in search of more routes for you to discover. She has uncovered a couple of routes for next year that she believes will be very special – although she has sworn us to secrecy for now. All we can say is that she’ll let us reveal a few details later. Hopefully, sooner, if we can persuade her.
If we can’t talk her round, you’ll have to discover them for yourselves next year. Just don’t forget about that special offer if you book before the end of October!
The Tour de France is coming to Rodez, near Château de Laumière, this summer
Put the words “cycling” and “France” together in a sentence – and the mind’s eye almost inevitably focuses on the Tour de France.
With good reason. The world’s best-known long-distance multi-stage cycle race is, according to organisers, the third biggest sporting event in the world behind the Olympic Games and football’s World Cup. Whether that’s true or not – the Rugby World Cup makes a similar claim, after all – doesn’t really matter. In France, Le Tour is a big deal.
And this year, it is coming to our little corner of southwest France.
Stage 13 finishes at Rodez, the ancient capital of the Gaulish Ruteni tribe, and is not far from Château de Laumière on Friday, July 17. Stage 14 gets under way in the beautiful city the following day.
The beautiful cathedral at Rodez
That weekend, the area will be packed with cycling fans basking in the unique glory of one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
Like horseriding guests, cyclists can escape from hustle and bustle of the 21st century into a tranquil tapestry of peaceful car-free trails, known as ‘voie verts’ and meander through shady woods where warming sunlight plays through the gentle green canopy under a cornflower-blue sky.
Breath-taking views will greet cyclists around almost every corner
Meanwhile, sports cyclists – who may be want something a little more taxing than a gentle ride out along quiet country lanes – will be delighted to learn that we have our fair share of testing stretches and hills as steep as you want them around here. If it’s good enough for Le Tour…
And, if you do take to two wheels on the roads of France, you’ll be delighted to know that cyclists are well looked-after here. Bike-riding guests at the Château have often commented on the fact that cars and lorries here will give you plenty of space – unlike the UK, where you’re always battling inconsiderate drivers for a tiny bit of space on the road.
Fans of off-road biking are well catered-for, too. All the wild terrain you could possibly wish for is within easy reach.
And it’s easy to hire everything you need. There is an excellent cycle shop in Limogne-en-Quercy, about 4.5km from Château de Laumière, which rents out new and well-serviced road bikes, touring bikes and mountain bikes. We believe his rates are very reasonable.
Even better, the owner will deliver and collect your bikes from the Château, so that all you have to do is turn up with your cycling shorts and helmet. Click here for the shop’s website.
The pound is at present getting even stronger so we can pass on some great savings to you for the limited availability we still have in May.
The weather is getting better by the day – May is a really great month for riding here and the countryside for our riding is truly wonderful. You can now ride every day if you want to and the relaxing side of your stay with us is as good as ever.
So come on do it now before it’s too late! Send an email with your dates and we will come straight back
There’s a horse in the stables just waiting for you
With the pound so strong against the weak euro now is a very good time to book a Riding Holiday in France.
The strong pound against the euro means cheaper air fares and cheaper fuel if you prefer to drive.
Above all this means that you can make some great savings on your holiday price with us here at Chateau de Laumiere because by passing the savings we make on this advantageous exchange rate to you we can offer some really good deals for April and May bookings.
Don’t wait too long to contact us by email or telephone with your April or May dates to check availability and see what savings you can make on a super relaxing riding break in the sun
