Shaped by natural spaces varied, Royan Atlantique is a land ideal for walks and horseback riding. Its equestrian centers organize supervised outings but also major events throughout the year.
Horseback riding is the second most practiced sport in the region, just behind the surf. And for good reason ! THE horse riding routes take us to the gallop on the beach, a Forest trip or near marshes. An ideal setting to let yourself be carried away by the look of the mount and recharge your batteries as close as possible to nature. The equestrian centers offer hiking loops adapted to each level. It is also possible to take courses to improve or prepare for the equestrian competition.
Routes and horseback riding
Royan Atlantique provides 5 marked horse trails for experienced riders and lovers ofhorse riding in Charente-Maritime. Inland, they criss-cross between agricultural plains and wine-growing hillsides for roaming stays.
Horseback riding in the forest
The forests of the country of Royan are ideal for horse riding. You progress through a remarkable environment, in the shade of oaks and maritime pines. With 30 km of forest paths and 11 km on the beach, you can take full advantage of the wide open spaces of the Coubre forest and Wild side for a moment of escape and freedom. For example, from La Palmyre, the 20 km route goes into the heart of the Combots forest. And we end with a breakaway at a trot or a gallop. Grande Côte beach in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. Exhilarating!
Accessible all year round, the circuits dedicated to riders benefit from specific signage and adapted equipment allowing them to practice riding. horseback riding safely. Thus, no less than 6 access points to the equestrian network have been set up. They have car parks, tether bars, picnic tables and cartographic planimeter.

The Cardinals' Route from Floirac to Sablonceaux
The route of the Cardinals Route is one of the equestrian routes of the European Route d'Artagnan in the footsteps of the famous musketeer (from Lupiac in Gascony, his native village, to Maastricht in Limburg where he died). There European Route d'Artagnan allows you to discover France in a different way, during a 4 km journey on horseback.
270 km long, the Route des Cardinals represents 11 stages on horseback roaming in Charente-Maritime. It extends over 84 km of marked trails from Floirac to Sablonceaux in the Royan region. It follows country paths between fields and valleys. In Saint-Romain-de-Benet, you can stop to admire the Pirelonge tower, a Gallo-Roman funerary monument in the middle of the vineyards.
Horse riding routes
Horse riding and equestrian centers
Spread across the entire territory, the riding clubs allow you to practice your favorite activity all year round. They offer riding lessons (with show jumping, dressage, gallop passage…), introductory or advanced coursesAlongside them, we benefit from personalized support whether we are a novice or experienced.
Many equestrian centers also organize horse riding, according to our desires and our level, to discover the different facets of the territory. Moreover, some have created their own circuits, in addition to the marked paths, such as in Épargnes, La Palmyre, Mortagne-sur-Gironde or Ronce-les-Bains. Qualified instructors share their passion and give advice on how to guide your mount. And since a passion for horses can start at a very young age, little ones can try the experience of a pony ride in one of our ponies clubs.

Equestrian centers
Equestrian competitions and horse races
Some centers are also specialized in preparing for sporting, equestrian or horse-riding competitions : Show Jumping Competition (CSO), Eventing Horse Riding Competition (CCE), horse racing, etc.
The Royan Horse Club
To this end, the Royan Horse Club (RHC), the equestrian center of Maine Gaudin, has acquired a track and equipment to accommodate high-level equestrian competitions. Throughout the year, it receives national and international competitions. The three Olympic disciplines are represented there: dressage, show jumping and eventing. THE Jumping of Royan, with its International Jumping Competition CSI 1* and 2*, attracts the best French riders. The Maine Gaudin also has a riding school and a stable of owners.

The Royan Atlantique racecourse
The Royan Atlantique racecourse is as popular with industry professionals as it is with the public. Of the Horse races national events take place there like the Green Trophy, harnessed trot race exclusively on grass track. Her training center scale already has highly renowned coaches. The hippodrome is multidisciplinary and hosts 3 types of races: the Trot, the Flat and the Obstacle. The Société de Courses de Royan Atlantique schedules around ten meetings a year, from April to the end of August. In addition, days are devoted to young audiences with free entertainment for children. The opportunity to discover this activity as a family!
