Perched Villages and Scents of Lavender
2025 Dates:
Fixed dates in May and August
Duration:
6 days / 5 nights
Difficulty:
Intermediate / Advanced
Horseback ride through Provence and Upper Provence, across the landscapes described by Peter Mayle in his famous novel, A Year in Provence (also a movie). You will ride in the heart of Provence, from the Luberon Nature Park to the Mont Ventoux Nature Park, in Drome Provencale, halfway between the Alps and the Mediterranean. A horseback ride that allows you to discover a great diversity of landscapes, changing every day!
Horses
Varied local crossings, of medium size, selected for their character and adapted to the type of rides we offer. All our horses are trail riding "professionals": they only do this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live in herds all year round, out of season from November to March: in semi-freedom on more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are balanced, kind and willful. Horses are allocated after discussion with your guide, according to your height, weight, level and experience.
Riding
Intermediate to Advanced
Riders should be capable of spending long hours in the saddle, tacking and untacking their own horse, and controlling the horse at all paces, even though rides will mainly consist of the walk and tölt.
Tack
Comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags. Trail ride saddles are especially designed for long rides as well as for the gaits employed on this type of terrain. The saddles are comfortable for both the horse and the rider.
Terrain
This tour encompasses all types of terrain, from rolling hills to enchanting forests to quaint villages, with room for riding at all paces.
Accommodation
In simple but comfortable accommodation, in hotels and guesthouses, most with swimming pools and private bathrooms. (2-3 person bedrooms or single bedrooms with supplement). Progressive Inn to Inn trail rides do not guarantee the same level of comfort every night: one of the pleasures of traveling on horseback is the variety! We have chosen the accommodations for their location on the route and for the quality of their welcome. More or less comfortable, you will always have a memory: a good meal, a particularly pleasant atmosphere, or an exceptional setting.
Dining
Breakfasts in the guesthouses are traditional French breakfasts: hot drinks with bred, butter, marmalade, honey, cereals, fruit juice (no cheese, eggs, ...). At noon, an assistant prepares hearty picnic buffets. Local cuisine, varied and refined.
Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Wine is included with meals.
Itinerary
-
Meeting at noon at Lauris. Welcome aperitif and presentation of your ride and lunch. We start on horseback from the southern slope. We ride ut to the the crests of the Petit Luberon before descending the northern slope towards Bonnieux: a very beautiful perched village with stone houses. Then we head towards the Claparedes plateau and the first lavender fields. We then descend towards the Aiguebrun canyon which mark the boundary between Petit and Grand Luberon. We pass near the Priory of St Symphorien, then follow the Aiguebrun river to reach the first accommodation at the foot of the high climbing cliffs of Buoux. You can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner.
-
Through the prehistoric sites of the “Gorges de l’Aigebrun”. Pass through a very pretty provincial village to offer the horses a drink at the fountain. Picnic under the oaks, then follow bridleways though the perfumed garrigues to reach Cereste. Night in an inn in the heart of the village.
-
After a pause to discover the priory of Carluc dating from the 11th century, you will ride towards Oppedette. Cross the superb village, typical to Haute-Provence, perched on the cliff. Opportunities for some great gallops on the way to Simiane. Night in a “chambre d’hotes” (bed and breakfast).
-
After breakfast, chance to have a walking tour in Simiane before leaving with your horse. Picnic under the chestnut trees, their leaves used to wrap the delicious goats cheese, a specialty from Banon, which you shall taste accompanied with a “Cote de Luberon” wine. Ride through fields of lavender and sage, before arriving at the guesthouse. On your arrival, you can choose: swimming in the pool of the guesthouse or strolling and shopping in Sault, capital of lavender in Provence!
-
Departure on horseback through moors and forests. Picnic near Sault. In the afternoon, we set off on horseback towards Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. This afternoon, the colors of the lavender (cutted in July), fields of cereals and the shadows of the foothills of Mont Ventoux will perhaps make you want to imitate the many painters who have fallen in love with this region. Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Montbrun-les-Bains, facing the Mont Ventoux, surrounded by green hills and dominating a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender: one of the most beautiful villages in France. Transfer of riders by minibus, horses by truck, to return to Lauris and spend the last evening.
-
End of the ride after breakfast. At 9:30 am, free transfer to Aix en Provence train station or Marseille airport.