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A simple idea for a major innovation …

The “Espaces Equestres Henson” (Henson outdoors horse back riding centres) are born from a quite simple idea: to offer to the largest audience the opportunity to enjoy outdoor horseback riding with a trustworthy companion.

For that, the right horses were needed, specially bred for outdoors riding: calm but dynamic, forward going but trustworthy. The Henson horse is born from this desire of freedom and this is right here, in the Bay of the Somme area and in the Marquenterre region that, 30 years ago, its passionate history has begun.

But beyond the genetic potential of the Henson horses which has produced their innate qualities: stamina, calmness, sturdiness, … a well-adapted environment was also required for their life conditions.

 

The “Espaces Equestres Henson” or “the European ranch” concept.

From this vision and a long-standing experience were created the “Espaces Equestres Henson”, a different approach from the traditional equestrian centre.

Here, the Henson spirit can be characterized by a very different way to approach breeding and equestrian activities :

• Pastures and wintering parks, allowing caretaking of the stock in sound outdoors conditions all-year round (including in winter!), the horses being distributed by groups of affinities. This constitutes the “equestrian farm”, properly said, requiring a minimum area of over 100 acres,

• A very large natural environment, directly adjacent to the “equestrian farm”, offering safe and attractive outdoor horse back riding conditions and carrying a genuine message of nature protection and renewed harmony between man and nature.

A new spirit to approach equestrian activities

This genuine combination between a specific horse breed, well-adapted to outdoors riding, life conditions as close as possible to a natural environment for their caretaking and the adjacency of an area of outstanding natural beauty and interest, has give birth to a new way to approach horse back riding activities in Northern France.

Of course, not by rejecting the whole knowledge of the “equestrian art” which still remains the foundation of any respectful riding activity, but in offering to the largest audience, the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding in sync with their true aspirations: outdoors riding with a sense of freedom but with confidence and from there, discover, improve and share the unique harmony between riders and horses.

Beyond the very modern and pertinent answer that this new approach brings to the aspirations of most people, the “Espaces Equestres Henson” also offers attractive economic solutions.

The closeness to nature caretaking conditions and the rustic qualities of the Henson horse make the cost of horse boarding less expensive than in most equestrian centres.

Therefore, without compromising the quality of the experience, equestrian activities become more affordable to the largest audience.

Two “Espaces Equestres Henson” for one single philosophy

Today, our two “Espaces Equestres Henson”, from the Bay of the Somme to the Bay of the Authie, are located in a unique position, which allows us to offer a potential of over 200 mounted horses, at both ends of one of the most beautiful coastal areas of Northern France: the Marquenterre region: 15 miles of unspoilt coastline, only marked by the presence of the modest sea-side resorts of Fort-Mahon-Plage and Quend-Plage-les-Pins, so well-integrated in their outstanding natural environment.

The “Espace Equestre Henson-Marquenterre”

Over 300 acres of meadows and marshlands, exclusively devoted to Henson horses, within their native breeding area and representing their largest dedicated stud farm in France, the “Espace Equestre Henson-Marquenterre” is part of an outstanding estate of 2500 acres of forested sand dunes and wetlands, itself directly located next to the 10000 acres + of the natural reserve of the Bay of the Somme and to the bird sanctuary of the “Parc du Marquenterre”. It truly appears as a “European ranch” in Northern France, next to the sea.

Peace, splendour of nature as in a dream, seeming so far away and though, so close to you.



The “Espace Equestre “l’Etrier” – Fort-Mahon-Plage

Within less than a 2-hour ride from the “Espace Equestre Henson-Marquenterre”, at the northern end of the Marquenterre shoreline, the “Espace Equestre “l’Etrier” – Fort-Mahon-Plage is located right next to the Bay of the Authie, the “younger sister” of the Bay of the Somme, a totally unspoilt estuary of a small river, lazily wandering around until reaching the sea.

The “Espace Equestre “l’Etrier” is based on the same philosophy of nature discovery with the Henson horses. But it is also a venue welcoming horses from other equestrian centres or private owners, with an availability of over 40 stalls, offering from one night stay to long stays. As well, it is a tuition centre offering a variety of riding lessons, with all the adequate facilities (indoor and outdoor arenas, pony club, jumping arena, etc…).

To combine the best of classic equestrian activities, together with the discovery of an outstanding natural environment, is its true “raison d’être” …

Welcome to the Henson land!

More to know about the “Domaine du Marquenterre” estate

The “Domaine du Marquenterre” is the most remarkable portion of a very large sand dunes complex (the largest in the Northern France), almost covering the entire area located between the Bay of the Somme and the Bay of the Authie, a 15mile-long protected shore line.

The estate comprises over 2500 acres of forested sand hills, pastures and wetlands. It sits right next to the natural reserve of the Bay of the Somme, which represents more than 10000 acres of tidal marshes and sands.

The “Parc du Marquenterre” –one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in France- owned by the “Conservatoire du Littoral”(French Coastal Conservancy Trust), totalling over 500 acres of polders, is also immediately adjacent to it, on its southern border.

The whole area can be described as a true “natural cathedral”, whose choir would be the “Domaine du Marquenterre”, the most secret part of it. Its beautiful vistas over the sea and over the Somme estuary, the diversity of its scenery and the richness of its wildlife make it an outstanding piece of preserved land, due in particular, to its remoteness from urbanized areas.

 

Fauna and Flora

Wildlife at the “Domaine du Marquenterre” is exceptionally rich; sometimes internationally renown, as witnessed by many natural and European preservation policies applying to it.

Well over 150 avian species are present in the area, permanently or seasonally, due to its strategic location on the main migration corridors from Northern Europe to West Africa.

 

The estate hosts one of the largest colonies of herons, aigrettes and spoonbills nesting in Northern France. In the wetlands, located right at the foot of the forested dunes, one can see a lot of ducks and geese species and wading birds which go back and forth between the estuary, the polders of the “Parc du Marquenterre” and the sand dunes complex, along with tides and seasons.

Storks, which did not nest any more in Picardie since the 19th century are back in force since the 80’s and several nests are visible in the pine trees next to the bird sanctuary.

Similarly, the avocet, which was not known as a nesting species in Picardy in ancient times, is now one of the iconic birds of the neighbouring “Parc du Marquenterre”.

One can discover as well the Common Shellduck in springtime, whose size is in between of the duck and the goose, and has the peculiar habit to nest in rabbit burrows.

 

 

Many species of wild mammals can be can also be seen across the estate.

In the late 70’s, boars have spontaneously migrated here, coming from the national forest of Crecy, 12 miles away eastwards, once the sand dunes forest started to mature. Today, their population ranges around 100 heads on a permanent basis.

One can see as well beautiful Corsican mouflons, a species introduced in the early 80’s that now counts over 150 heads throughout the estate, due to its remarkable adaptation to the environment. Its popularity is such that it has almost become an icon for the estate. Last, you can come across a natural population of roe deers, more modest, but still perfectly adapted to their natural environment.

 

The flora on the dunes is also remarkable on many spots: “white dunes”, “grey dunes”, wetlands are privileged locations for rare species like the Liparis orchid, living in the most humid areas.

The Sea holly or the Lyme Grass are thriving next to the Marram grass on the white dunes. The Gold moss Sedum displays its yellow flowers in summertime among the lichens of the fragile “grey dunes” while the bushes of the sea buckthorn with its orange berries represent an almost impenetrable den for the wild mammals and a food reserve for the colonies of small birds and thrushes which fly back and forth along the coastline in the quietness of these unspoilt areas.

 

More to know

In visiting the estate, much more can be discovered, either by foot, horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage, biking or even more recently, with electrical carts.

Initially written for our equestrian and nature guides, the ”Domaine du Marquenterre” guidebook now unveils many secrets for our guests. You can find it at the Henson shop on the premises of the “Espace Equestre Henson Marquenterre”. As a preview, you can consult it right here, by clicking on the following link: “guide nature”.