Horse Riding in Carnac – Centre Équestre des Menhirs, Rides and Courses

The Centre Équestre des Menhirs is a regional reference for horse rides on the iconic beaches of Carnac, pony lessons for children from the age of 3 and beginner and improver courses for all levels, in an exceptional setting at the heart of the Carnac megaliths and alignments. Located just 3 to 4 km from Camping Les Druides (10 minutes by car), this family-friendly Breton riding paradise offers a memorable riding experience: introductory sessions for children on led ponies, rides through the forest and along the coastal paths, gallops on the fine sandy beaches of Carnac, progressive technical lessons for all levels and activities to share as a family with respect for animal welfare.

The centre has complete facilities (indoor and outdoor arenas, paddocks and meadows, comfortable loose boxes), qualified, passionate instructors, small groups of 4 to 8 riders for personalised progress, and a flexible timetable in spring, summer and autumn. An inclusive activity for all generations that creates unforgettable memories of your holiday in Brittany.

📌 About this activity

Camping Les Druides recommends horse riding activities through its blog to enrich its guests' stay.

Please note: the horse rides, lessons and courses are entirely organised and run by the Centre Équestre des Menhirs, an independent business specialising in leisure and sport riding. Camping Les Druides:

• does not organise the lessons or the rides;

• does not take bookings;

• does not handle registrations.

The campsite simply recommends this excellent activity to enrich your stay.

For bookings, availability, opening times and current prices, contact the Centre Équestre des Menhirs directly using the details at the end of this article.

🏇 Centre Équestre des Menhirs – an unmissable riding institution

Overview and location

The Centre Équestre des Menhirs is an unmissable family riding institution in Carnac, set in the heart of the megalith zone, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Location:

• Address: Le Manio, Kerlescan, 56340 Carnac

• Distance from Camping Les Druides: 3 to 4 km (about 10 minutes by car)

• Exceptional setting: right among the menhir alignments

• Surroundings: green fields, forests and preserved coastal paths

Complete professional facilities

• ✅ Indoor arena: a covered school sheltered from the weather

• ✅ Outdoor arena: an area dedicated to dressage and technical work

• ✅ Paddocks and meadows: grazing for the welfare of the horses and ponies

• ✅ Loose boxes and stables: comfortable housing in optimal conditions

• ✅ Changing rooms and tack room: facilities for riders and suitable equipment

Riding philosophy

• Strict respect for the animal, with welfare as the priority

• A team passionate about leisure riding and rider development

• Open to all ages, from beginners to experienced riders

• A magical environment among the megaliths, a unique and timeless setting

👶 Activities by age – personalised riding progression

Very young children (ages 3–5) – first steps on a pony

First fun experiences on a pony:

• ✅ Baby Pony (ages 3–4): gradually getting to grips with the mount

• ✅ Led rides: the child is accompanied by a parent or an instructor

• ✅ Pony taster sessions: discovery sessions of 30 to 45 minutes to get to know the animal

• ✅ Family rides: short outings at a pace suited to the very young

Learning goals: getting used to the animal, developing respect and confidence, working on balance and posture, and gradually discovering the pleasure of being in nature.

Children (ages 6–9) – learning the basics

Learning basic riding techniques:

• ✅ Group lessons: groups of 4 to 6 children of a similar level

• ✅ Private lessons: 1-hour sessions for faster progress

• ✅ Guided rides: 1.5 to 2-hour outings through the forest, along the coastal paths and around the megaliths

• ✅ Week-long courses: 5 days of intensive learning (2 to 3 hours a day)

• ✅ Beach rides: 1 to 2 hours on the wet sand in the sea air

Progressive levels (as a guide):

• Galop Bronze: complete beginner

• Galop Argent: controlled trot

• Galop Or: safe canter with small jumps

Teenagers and adults – improvement and specialisation

Technical improvement and specific disciplines:

• ✅ Advanced technical lessons: 1.5 to 2-hour sessions in dressage, show jumping or cross-country

• ✅ Rides and treks: 2 to 4-hour outings over varied terrain, with canters

• ✅ Improver courses: 5 days of technical work for advanced riders

• ✅ Beach rides at a gallop: trot and extended canter on the wet sand

• ✅ Lessons by discipline: dressage, show jumping, vaulting, carriage driving and possibly western riding

Levels:

• Galops 1 to 3: technical basics

• Galops 4 to 5: more advanced jumping and dressage

• Galops 6 to 7: experienced riders and specialised disciplines

🎯 Main types of activity – immersion in Breton nature

Guided rides – discovering the Breton countryside

Rides through the forest and along the coastal paths:

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours as standard (longer treks of 3 hours or more are possible)

• Terrain: forest trails around Kerlescan and green coastal paths

• Setting: the edges of ancient woodland, views of the megaliths and vistas over the countryside

• Supervision: a qualified instructor ensures safety and manages the group

• Pace: walk, trot and canter depending on the overall level of the riders

Beach rides – an unforgettable sea-air experience:

• Where: the Grande Plage in Carnac, and possibly other suitable beaches (depending on tides and regulations)

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours for a full ride

• What makes it special: hooves on the fine wet sand, the sound of the waves, the sea air

• Sensations: a feeling of freedom, wide open spaces between sky and sea, a true bond with the horse

• Levels: suitable for supervised beginners as well as more experienced riders who want to gallop

Lessons and courses – progressive learning

Group lessons:

• Groups of a similar level (4 to 8 riders)

• 1 to 1.5 hours depending on age and level

• Work in the arena: dressage and jumping exercises, school figures

Private lessons:

• One-to-one sessions with a dedicated instructor

• Personalised, faster progress

• Technical corrections in real time

Holiday courses:

• Packages of 3 to 5 consecutive days

• 2 to 3 hours of riding a day

• A combination of technical lessons and discovery rides

• Ideal during the school holidays (February, Easter, summer, October)

🐴 Animal welfare – an absolute priority

The Centre Équestre des Menhirs places respect and the welfare of its horses and ponies at the heart of everything it does:

✅ Veterinary care:

• Regular health checks by a vet

• Vaccinations and worming kept up to date

• Hoof care by a farrier

✅ Comfortable housing:

• Spacious loose boxes with clean bedding

• Paddocks and meadows for free grazing

• Shelters for protection from bad weather

✅ Workload management:

• A measured work rhythm to avoid fatigue

• Regular rest days for recovery

• Well-fitted, comfortable tack and saddles for the horses

• Instructors attentive to signs of tiredness or discomfort

✅ Feeding:

• Quality hay and fresh grass at pasture

• Concentrates tailored to each horse, balanced rations

• Clean water available at all times

📋 Practical tips for riders on holiday

Before your riding session

For beginner children:

• ✅ Recommended clothing: soft trousers (jogging bottoms or sturdy leggings), boots or ankle boots with a small heel

• ✅ Helmet compulsory: usually provided by the centre (check when booking)

• ✅ Gloves: recommended for a better grip on the reins

• ✅ Closed shoes with a heel: essential for safety in the stirrups

For experienced riders:

• ✅ Personal equipment: approved helmet, whip, gloves, boots or ankle boots with chaps

• ✅ Riding breeches: for more comfort and safety in the saddle

• ✅ FFE licence and Galop level: let the centre know when booking

Book in advance:

• High season (July–August): places are in great demand, booking strongly recommended

• School holidays: February, Easter, June and the autumn half-term are all very busy

• Specific courses: often fully booked well in advance, so plan early

• Contact beforehand: to confirm availability and the level required

During the activity – safety and respect

• ✅ Wear a helmet at all times

• ✅ Listen carefully to the instructor's directions

• ✅ Do not touch the animals without the team's permission

• ✅ Match the pace to your actual level (never overestimate yourself)

• ✅ Keep a safe distance between horses

• ✅ Always reward the horse with calm strokes and gentle gestures

🏕️ From Camping Les Druides

Horse riding close to the campsite

Camping Les Druides makes horse riding in Carnac easy:

• ✅ Just 3 to 4 km to the Centre Équestre des Menhirs (about 10 minutes by car)

• ✅ Right in the heart of the megalith zone, in an exceptional setting

• ✅ Brochures and information available at the campsite reception

• ✅ Heated pool, ideal for relaxing after a riding session

Example of a typical day:

1. Morning: lesson or horse ride (1.5 to 2 hours)

2. Lunch at the campsite

3. Afternoon: relaxing by the heated pool

4. Evening: a drink at the campsite bar and sharing photos of the ride

5. Night: a well-earned rest in your mobile home or on your pitch 🐴

✨ In short

Horse riding in Carnac offers an unforgettable adventure at the Centre Équestre des Menhirs, a regional reference for:

• horse rides on the iconic beaches in the sea air,

• pony lessons for children, whether beginners or already confident,

• intensive multi-day courses to make progress,

• an exceptional setting among the megaliths and alignments,

• well-treated, respected horses and ponies,

• qualified, passionate instructors,

• total immersion in the coastal nature of Brittany.

Just 3 to 4 km from Camping Les Druides, you can enjoy a real riding adventure on the Breton coast, where horses, ponies, nature and megaliths combine to create unforgettable family memories. An inclusive activity for all generations, perfect for a complete Breton holiday.

📞 Contacts and information

Centre Équestre des Menhirs

Address: Le Manio, Kerlescan, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 2 97 55 73 45
Mobile: +33 6 11 07 69 81
Website: via the Carnac tourist office (www.ot-carnac.fr)

Indicative opening hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9 am–12 pm and 2 pm–6 pm

• Saturday: 9 am–5 pm (no lunchtime closure)

• Sunday: closed (check for exceptional openings)

Open: all year round.

Services offered:

• Group and private lessons for all ages

• Guided rides through the forest and on the beach

• Courses during the school holidays

• Helmet loan (to be confirmed when booking)

⚠️ For current prices, please contact the Centre Équestre des Menhirs directly.

Carnac tourist office

Telephone: +33 2 97 52 13 52
Website: www.ot-carnac.fr
Services: further information on horse riding and other leisure activities in Carnac.

Camping Les Druides

Telephone: +33 2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com/en
Distance: about 3 to 4 km from the Centre Équestre des Menhirs

On-site services: heated pool, bar, comfortable accommodation, information at reception.