Caravanning in southern Vendée

Itinerary

Booking only possible on a weekly basis!

Booking season 2020: until Sept. 21, booked up!

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at 9:00. After you have settled into your covered wagon, you will receive a detailed briefing on navigating it (handling, tending to the horse, harnessing, approx. 1-2 hours). You will practise navigating in the company of the supervisor before you set off to explore the landscapes of the Marais Poitevin marsh region by horse and gypsy cart. Overnight stay in the Gypsy wagon.

Day 2-6: Comfortably through the green Venice

You will spend the next four days moving from place to place in the gentle green swamp region of the Marais Poitevin. The routes have been arranged by the horse breeder himself. There are numerous possibilities for fishing and swimming along the way. You will receive the exact route on site. These follow scarcely frequented side roads and paths. You will stay overnight on specially prepared pitches, at campsites or with farmers, where sanitary facilities are usually available.

You can bring your horse to the meadow or to the stable overnight. In the evening, you will have dinner with your hosts - a unique opportunity to taste regional specialities and gain an insight into French country life. Or have your meals delivered (to be paid on site). Guests will lodge in the caravan.

Day 7: Farewell to the house on four wheels

Around 9 o'clock you say goodbye to your horse and the house on four wheels. Participants return the Gypsy caravan to the horse breeder before making their way home.

Travel dates

Indicated pricing per caravan (4 persons, max. 6 persons with supplement) per week according to the season

Weekly booking only, daily departures according to availability!

Booking season 2020: until Sept. 21, booked up!

Dogs allowed

Self-guided stay with daily help for the coupling and uncoupling of your horse. Possibility to be accompanied by a driver for an extra charge (39 €/day/ per caravan).

Services

Price includes
6 nights in equipped Gypsy caravan for 4 persons, instructions and training, horse rental and horse food, use of sanitary facilities at the campsites, detailed information, directions and map (1:25,000).

Number of participants

Minimum number of participants: 2 adults
This trip is perfectly suited for families with 2 or 3 children. Dogs are allowed.
Not accessible to persons with reduced mobility

Deposit: 20 % of the tour price
Due date for payment of balance of tour price: 21 days before tour start

This tour is ideal for families. Kindly note that at least two adults have to be present per wagon. Dogs are welcome.

Accommodation

Participants spend the nights on specially arranged camping sites. The caravan is equipped for 4-5 persons with one queen-size bed, 2 pull-out beds and one small bed for children, as well as a kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator, gas burners, dishes and silverware, table, chairs and storage space. Supplies for the week may be purchased at local grocery shops along the road. You may choose to arrive a day prior to the start date and spend the night in the caravan free of charge.

Your horse

Your caravan is drawn by a Percheron horse, specially trained for this tour. Percheron horses are perfectly suited for drawing heavy loads. Their strength and sweet nature make them ideal companions for your caravanning trip. Experience handling horses is an advantage but it is not required.

Caravanning spirit

Your caravanning trip is all about travelling light, basic comfort, shared sanitary facilities and mosquitoes – but also a unique holiday experience with horses and an escape from everyday life. Cruising through unspoiled landscapes, on paved roads but also in plain nature, without internet access, take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to let go and reconnect with yourself and your family!

Discover the simple yet delicious selfmade regional cuisine, purchasing local produce and specialties and enjoying them by the campfire – with a glass of regional wine and joined by locals and fellow travellers.

On the road

Participants travel on a single horse-drawn carriage or in a convoy with max. 5 carriages accompanied by a coachman (approx. €39/day/car payable on site). Approx. 15km hiking stage per day. Each family follows its own itinerary.
Note: A draught horse weighs approx. 800 kg, a Gypsy wagon approx. 1 to 1.5 tons!

Important note

Please keep in mind that your hosts are French horse farmers who may not speak English very well. Basic French skills may come in handy to follow the instructions on handling your horse and caravan among other things. Prior experience in handling horses may come in handy but is not mandatory. You may bring up to 3 bicycles along in the caravan.

How to get there

You will be travelling in rural France and may depend on a car to buy supplies for the week. We thus recommend that you travel by car or rent one at the airport or train station. Free parking is available on site. The exact address will be provided upon booking. For more information please read our blog getting to France

The next train station is Luçon. You can take a taxi from there (ca. 17km, to be paid on site).

If you're travelling by plane, please consider offsetting your carbon emissions, for example through the atmosfair programme.

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