Ride Overview

In the deep south of France you will ride through one of the most unique, diverse and unspoiled areas – the Camargue. Known for its famous cowboys, black bulls and radiant white horses.

Starting in the heart of Provence, your first few days give you the chance to see the typical perched villages. As you continue, you will enjoy the way the landscape begins to change and lagoons, salt marshes, dunes and rice fields with flocks of wild bright pink flamingoes appear.

As you move from the Luberon region in the foothills of the Alps toward the sea, the scenery begins to shift and you will notice that the closer you get to the sea the villages become less abundant and the glory of nature surrounds you.

Special highlights of this itinerary include one of the most picturesque Provencal villages – St. Remy de Provence. Filled with meandering streets, outdoor cafes and ancient fountains, you and your horse will have ample opportunities to stop for refreshment.

Reaching the beach, only you and your fellow riders will enjoy the sandy dunes, the open stretches of beach and chance to enjoy the spray of the waves and the wind in your hair. Combine this with the wonderful French wines and home cooked meals each day and this will be a trip you will remember for years.

2024 Rates: $2,295.00 USD per person sharing. (Single Supplement: $495.00 USD)
2024 Dates: March 31-April 6, April 7-13, April 14-20, April 21-27, April 28-May 4, May 5-11, May 12-18, May 26-June 1, June 2-8, June 9-15, June 16-22, June 23-29, Sept. 1-7, Sept. 8-14, Sept. 15-21, Sept. 22-28, Sept. 29-Oct. 5, Oct. 6-12, Oct. 13-19, Oct. 20-26, Oct. 27-Nov. 2

Non Rider: 50% of the rider fee, in a shared room

Upgrade to Luxury Accommodation: $!,510.00 USD additional (Single Supplement: $945.00 USD additional)

Small group supplement – price listed is per person and in addition to price quoted above (it also does not include the single supplement):
3 riders: $760.00 USD
2 riders: $1,360.00 USD
1 rider: $4,540.00

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • 5 days of riding
  • Horse and all tack
  • All meals
  • Wine with meals
  • Luggage transfers
  • Support Staff
  • Guiding services
  • All local taxes

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay
  • Beverages outside of meals
  • Visits or tips not outlined in the itinerary

Day 1

Meeting at Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence train station, or directly at Mas de Recaute. Welcome aperitif and presentation of the trail ride. You will be introduced to your guide and spend a first friendly dinner at the host’s table. Overnight at Mas de Recaute.

Day 2

From Lauris to Mallemort. Departure from the southern foot of the Luberon, its pine forests, its cliff landscapes, along orchards, olive groves and vineyards to the Durance river which we follow by pleasant trails, and cross (on a bridge in the event of a flooding river) before a pleasant shaded picnic Picnic brought by our assistant on the other side of the Durance river. In the afternoon, we will ride along the Alpilles canal to the farm where the horses will stay for the night. Transfer with minibus to your accommodation, in Lauris, dinner at the host table overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris.

Day 3

From Mallemort to Eygalieres. In the garrigue of Provence , we will enter in the Alpilles Nature Park. You will then make your way out of the valley, towards Van Gogh’s country : the Alpilles. We will reach the Roman village of Eygalière late in the afternoon, and stop by the beautiful « Chapel St Sixte », to take pictures. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse near Eygalieres.

Day 4

From Eygalieres to Les Baux de Provence. A cultural day as you will ride in the landscape Van Gogh liked to paint. You will stop near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in front of the hospital in which Van Gogh stayed and made his most famous paintings. Admire beautiful Roman monuments, before you make your way towards lunch, by a gorgeous little lake, hidden in the hills. The afternoon ride will take you on the crests of the Alpilles : striking panorama on the surrounding area. We will even see the gleam of the Mediterranean sea in the distance. At the end of the trail, discover a breathtaking sight on the medieval village of «Les Baux-de-Provence ». Load the horses in the truck. You have the choice then between the visit of the village or the visit of the old quarries with this year an exceptional multimedia show of projections of Van Gogh paintings with music. After this break, minibus transfer to the heart of the Camargue.and visit of the village before a transfer to Sylvereal, the gate of Camargue. Night in a hotel: an old Abbaye. Dinner at the hotel's typical Camargue auberge.

Day 5

Astouin - Bull cattle drive - Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. On horseback to a Camargue ranch. After an hour on horseback in the heart of the Camargue, we will arrive at a "manade", a bull and horse ranch in Camargue. Mathieu, a passionate "guardian", Camargue cow-boy, welcomes us in front of the enclosure of one of his bull herds. We accompany him on horseback to "grab" the bulls, that is to say push them through the marsh to a sorting enclosure. Then he tells us about the "Camargue bull and horse races", the breeding methods, the traditions linked to the Camargue bulls, then he sorts a few bulls in front of us and ends his performance by offering us an aperitif "the friendship glass". Picnic on the place, prepared by our assistant. Then we leave on horseback to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. After your installation at the hotel, you can go for a walk in the the village streets and do some shopping, take a stroll to the beach, or enjoy the hotel swimming pool. Meeting for dinner in a lively bodega in the village. Night at the hotel.

Day 6

A morning ride on the beaches. Nice gallops and walk in the sea. The lunch will be prepared at the hotel by your assistant, and the afternoon you will ride along the Vacares lake: you will discover a lot of flamingos and wild birds on a pleasant trail. Transfer to Mas de Recaute in Lauris, for a last dinner all together, share memories, pictures, addresses...

Day 7

Time to say goodbye after breakfast. Transfers to train stations and airport.

France-Mas-De-Recaute-map