Putting and Riding

 

FORE!

With beautiful scenery and well-kept greens, golfers will love the Dordogne Valley. There are many 9 & 18 hole courses throughout the region so golfing enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. Some have wide fairways, others water features to navigate, but all are surrounded by the green beauty of this extraordinary landscape. Most courses have clubhouses, driving ranges, putting greens and also offer equipment including clubs, carts and buggies. The Brive Golf Club, with tree-lined greens and a watercourse adds a spicy hazard to test skill levels. The Souillac Golf and Country Club offers an excellent 18 hole course as well as tennis courts, heated swimming pools and a clubhouse to relax in. Deluxe holiday homes can also be rented here.

Near Saint-Céré, golfers play on greens with spectacular views of the 15th century Château de Montal. The terraced fairways and sand bunkers make for an enjoyable and challenging round. At the Golf de Coiroux complex golfers can choose from a 9 or 18 hole course and stay in a 5 star campsite with many water activites (including fishing) in the adjacent lake. Teeing-off from whichever course, the Dordogne Valley is the perfect playground to improve a handicap and always amidst a stunning backdrop. www.souillaccountryclub.co.uk

www.golfdebrive.com www.golf-montal.fr www.golf-coiroux.com

 

HORSE RIDING

From the Three Musketeers to the Knights Templar, horses and horse riding have been an integral part of the French experience. Horse lovers can take in the beauty of the countryside while galloping through it. Riding schools and horse riding tour companies can be found everywhere here but perhaps none so famous as those based in and around Pompadour. At the beating heart of the modern French equestrian world, a ride here can be finished off with a gallop at the famous Pompadour racecourse.

 

POMPADOUR

Pompadour is perhaps best known as the stomping ground of Louis the 15th’s favourite mistress Madame de Pompadour, who remained influential as court favourite until her death. Beyond the beautiful towers of the castle of Pompadour where she lived, this site is now the centre of the French Institute of Horse and Riding, the National Stud Farm and the site of the Pompadour race course. With more than 160 days of events per year including French and international championships, this is the famous home of French horse racing. Not to be missed every year on the 15th August, an amazing horse festival takes place with many different events including steeplechase and horse demonstrations of all types.

www.ifce.fr

 

PRESIDENTIAL HORSES

Pompadour is also home to the Stables of the Orangerie. These national stables and stud farm began life as a gift from King Louis 15th to his mistress Madame de Pompadour. Today, as well as housing the national stud, they are home to some of the horses gifted to French presidents. These valuable horses from great lines have included the famous Arabian horses Mabrouk, given to Jacques

Chirac by Algerian President Bouteflika and Sami, gifted to François Hollande in 2013. Along with these horses were also donated ornate saddles, embroidered with gold.