This one-hour discovery session is the perfect choice for your first horse ride in Callian. You will set off from Haras des Villards, a French riding school with a family atmosphere. The route follows the Serminier path, gently winding through an olive grove and offering beautiful views over Lake Saint-Cassien, the Estérel, and the Pre-Alps. It is an ideal outing for beginners aged 6 and over. A lesson is available if someone needs extra support before setting off on the trail.
Duration: 1 hour, with 30 min preparation + 1h on horseback
Meeting point: Haras des Villards, Callian, no pick-up
Required level: complete beginner – first experience
Minimum age: 6 years
Maximum weight: not specified
Activity location: Serminier path, olive grove, views over Lake Saint-Cassien
Price: €35 per person
Group size: shared group session, maximum not specified
Languages: English, French
What is included:
1-hour accompanied ride along the Serminier path
Views over Lake Saint-Cassien, the Estérel and the Pre-Alps
Possibility of a short introductory lesson
Family atmosphere in a riding school
If you are a complete beginner aged six or over, this horse ride along the Serminier path is a real experience! It begins with a 30-minute preparation session, during which you will get to know the horses, learn how to mount, learn a few basic commands, and review the safety instructions with a certified instructor with more than 10 years of experience. Trotting through the Mediterranean landscape, you will be welcomed by the scent of wild herbs and breathtaking views over the lake, the Estérel mountains and the Pre-Alps.
This route, known as the Serminier path, takes you into the heart of the Pays de Fayence, a region rich in agricultural history. Olives have been grown here since Greek settlers introduced them around 600 BC.
As the ride only lasts one hour, the constantly changing landscape keeps the experience interesting from beginning to end: the olive groves turn into open viewpoints, then into shaded woodland, before returning to the ranch. The guide stops at the best photo spots, and since the pace is a quiet walk, riders can take time to soak up the landscape without the stress of managing their horse. This mix of gentle terrain and panoramic views makes the Serminier path a perfect choice for a first ride, especially for those who want to discover the beauty of Provence without committing to a longer trek.
Expérience Côte d’Azur is the official activity booking platform for the Estérel Côte d’Azur destination, bringing together more than 600 experiences from over 130 local providers across the French Riviera.
Based on 3 Reviews
C’était sympa pour une première fois
Balade agréable avec des personnes sympathiques. Il manquait juste un peu d’encadrement : il n’y avait qu’un seul adulte, l’autre encadrant étant une jeune adolescente. Mis à part cela, nous gardons malgré tout de bons souvenirs.
Super découverte
Super moment passé avec Christelle , qui s’est occupée de nous avec passion et sympathie
Excellent horse riding
Really friendly and fun time for the boys. Highly recommend.
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Yes, this discovery horse ride in Callian is perfectly suitable for children aged six and over. For young riders, a successful first equestrian experience relies on a short route, a calm pace and a structured start rather than a long distance. The whole format is designed to build the child’s confidence around horses, while keeping the environment safe, predictable and very reassuring.
This one-hour session at Haras des Villards perfectly meets these needs, offering a first pony or horse ride that is adapted, gentle and accessible to beginners. To ensure that the youngest participants feel completely safe before leaving, a short introductory lesson is available to provide extra support. This guarantees that everyone is comfortable and relaxed before the group sets off along the picturesque Serminier path.
Yes, complete beginners can absolutely take part in this first pony or horse ride. Getting into the saddle for the very first time is perfectly safe and stress-free when the route is specifically adapted to people with little experience and limited to a very manageable duration. Clear instructions and a quick, structured introduction make this first contact with the animals extremely reassuring for anyone who has never ridden before.
It is precisely this beginner-friendly approach that makes this one-hour session so special. Set in the warm, welcoming family atmosphere of Haras des Villards, the experience is designed to build your confidence from the very beginning. You even have the option of taking a short introductory lesson just before setting off, so that you feel completely comfortable and relaxed during your first horse ride in Callian.
