Accueil Discover Nature and gentle mobility Hors-drawn carriage rides and donkey walks
Discover the Loire Valley in a whole new way with the favourite companions of children: horses and donkeys. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the towns and landscapes of the Loire Valley. Share moments of complicity with a donkey as you walk along forest paths, from villages to the châteaux of the Loire.
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES, IDEAL FOR EXPLORING THE COUNTRYSIDE
Hop aboard a horse-drawn carriage and visit the Loire Valley as was done in days gone by. This is a great way to discover some of the Loire châteaux, such as the Royal Château of Blois. With Les Attelages de Blois, you will also explore the old streets of the town and the banks of the Loire.
You mustn’t forget the towns. Let yourself be tempted by a visit to Loches – Beaulieu-les-Loches or visit the town of Tours in a horse-drawn carriage. This is a great way to get around town, especially in the summer months.
OT Blois – Chambord
Château de Villandry
Top off your visit to the Villandry gardens with a horse-drawn carriage ride to discover the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers.
Fancy a ride in the woods? With Balades en calèche à l’Étang de la Vallée et en forêt domaniale near Orléans, you can enjoy the surrounding countryside and why not try some local produce to round off a perfect day!
In the Coteaux du Vendômois, get aboard the Attelages des Caves aux Caux and discover the vineyards of Thoré-la-Rochette by horse-drawn carriage. Relaxation guaranteed!
Head for the outskirts of Issoudun. At La Celle-Condé, you can enjoy a bucolic ride in a horse-drawn carriage at the Horse and Donkey Centre. On this estate, nestling in the heart of the Berry countryside, you can meet draught horses, stallions and the Grand Noir du Berry donkey.
Pôle de l’âne et du cheval
At Saint-Maur, just outside Châteauroux, Laleuf Loisirs offers carriage rides: on the farm and in the surrounding area, by the day or in town, a chance for the whole family to enjoy some timeless moments.
The emblematic Percheron horse invites you to take a ride not far from Nogent-le-Rotrou, at the écurie d’Albe. Climb aboard a carriage pulled by these magnificent horses and enjoy the surrounding countryside in complete peace and quiet.
DONKEY TREKKING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY
With their big, fluffy ears and legendary character, donkeys are sure to win you over on a walk. Take things at their pace as you discover the Loire châteaux and landscapes. They walk at about the same speed as we do (when they aren’t being capricious!), at 4km per hour. Once you’ve got to know each other, it’s off for the trek! You won’t be riding them, but guiding them using a tether. The donkeys will carry your belongings and little ones can sometimes climb on their backs.
Les Globe blogueurs
Mateus Carvalho – Les Anes de Madame
For a few hours or a whole day – the choice is yours, depending on your wishes and the age of your children. For example, a half-day picnic or afternoon tea can be arranged in the Cheverny area with one of the 14 donkeys at Les Anes de Madame.
At the Queudanes educational farm in the Loiret area, you can explore the village of Montliard along the roads and paths in the company of a donkey, which can carry a child on its back. Walks are guided and last from 1 to 2 hours.
Our donkey friends are also waiting for you in the Cher, at the Horse and Donkey Centre. Come and meet them for a short (or long) walk in their company. In summer, young visitors can take part in a workshop to become donkey keepers. On this estate dedicated to horses and donkeys, enthusiastic guides will be delighted to share their knowledge with you. In particular, they’ll tell you all about the Grand Noir du Berry donkey, a gentle animal threatened with extinction.
Pôle de l’âne et du cheval
Pôle de l’âne et du cheval
