Hedge-lined tracks, meadows and peaceful lanes: the Bresse is also lovely on horseback or on a pony. Several riding centres welcome beginners and experienced riders a few kilometres from the campsite.
Saint-Bénigne, right next door
About 4 km from the campsite, the Les Cavaliers de Pré Fleuri riding centre in Saint-Bénigne offers group and private lessons for beginners to advanced riders, plus pony lessons from the age of 3. Hacks can be arranged on request. Open all year round, the centre has an indoor school, an outdoor arena and a lunging ring, handy when the weather plays up. It mainly communicates through its Facebook page, so the easiest option is to contact it directly to check availability during your stay.
Two more centres in the Bresse
- In Mantenay-Montlin, a quarter of an hour’s drive away, the Poney de Bresse riding centre offers lessons from first steps to advanced level, courses during the French school holidays, hacks and pony tasters (baptêmes de poney). It also welcomes riders on long-distance treks looking for an overnight stop.
- In Saint-André-de-Bâgé, about 20 km to the south, the La Giraudière riding centre offers introductions to ponies and horses, group or private lessons, holiday courses, discovery days, hacks and treks.
The Bresse at a walk
With its hedgerows, woods and cob or half-timbered farmhouses, the Bresse is a land of quiet lanes and country tracks, away from the main roads. From the saddle, you have time to watch free-range poultry, cows in the fields and the Saracen chimneys that crown some of the farms. Towards the Saône, the vast flood meadow opens up wide horizons and becomes a haven for nesting birds in spring.
Good to know
It is best to book: call a few days ahead for a hack or a lesson, and mention your level and the children’s ages. Wear long trousers and closed shoes. If your child has never ridden before, just say so: for the youngest, a pony taster is often the best way to start.