Caravaning in southern Vendée

Itinerary

Booking only possible on a weekly basis!

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at 9 AM. Following detailed instructions on how to handle your caravan and harness, feed and groom your horse, you will embark on a guided practice ride with the local horse farmer. Once you feel comfortable and familiar with the horse and wagon, you will head out on your first joyride through the landscapes of the Marais Poitevin marsh region. Overnight stay in the Gypsy wagon.

Day 2-6: Cruising through the green Venice

You will spend the next four days exploring the unique swamp region of the Marais Poitevin. The routes have been arranged by the horse breeder himself, following small side roads and paths and allowing you to enjoy many fishing and swimming opportunities along the way. Overnight stays on campsites or on farms.

Some of your hosts will even invite you into their homes, sharing with you a traditional family dinner and giving you a glimpse of rural life in France. Or have your meals delivered (to be paid on site). Overnight stays in the caravan.

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast, you will return your horse and caravan and say farewell to your host and the Vendée region.

Travel dates

Indicated pricing per caravan (4 persons, max. 5 persons with supplement) per week according to the season

Weekly booking only, daily departures according to availability!

Arrival on prior day possible: +€10/ pers.- payment on the spot.

Dogs allowed

Self-guided stay with daily help for the harnessing of your horse. Possibility to be accompanied by a driver for an extra charge (€37 /day/ per caravan).

Services

Price includes
6 nights in 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

Terms of payment:
•20% of the total price within 7 days after receipt of the invoice
•Full payment 21 days prior to departure without further request to pay

This tour is ideal for families. Minimum two adults per wagon. Dogs are welcome.

Accommodation

Overnight stays 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 stove, 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 starting 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 can be useful but is not required.

Caravaning spirit

Your caravaning trip is all about travelling light, basic comfort, shared sanitary facilities and sometimes dealing with mosquitoes – but also a unique holiday experience with horses and an escape from your everyday life. While cruising through unspoiled landscapes, on paved roads but also in the middle of 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. €37/day/caravan 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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