Ride Overview
See and smell the fragrant lavender while it is in full bloom. Lush purple fields await you each day on this ride which has wonderful food each day and fun long canters through the countryside. Call us today as space is limited on these dates.
2024 Dates: July 1-6, July 8-13, July 15-20, July 22-27, July 29-Aug. 3
2024 Rate: $2,040.00 USD per person in a shared room (Single Supplement: $415.00 USD)
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 days of guided trail riding
- All meals
- Horse and all tack
- Airport transfers
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary
- 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 - Lauri to Buoux
Meet at noon at farm in Lauris. Enjoy a welcome aperitif and presentation of your ride and lunch.
We start this horseback ride in the Luberon, starting from the southern slope. We climb the crests of the Petit Luberon before descending the northern slope towards Bonnieux: a very beautiful village perched with stone houses. Then we head towards the Claparèdes plateau and the first lavender fields. We then descend towards the Aiguebrun gorges 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 large climbing falsies of Buoux. You can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner.
Day 2 - Buoux to Rustrel
In the morning, we follow the stream to its source by a pleasant green pathway, then we reach Saignon where we stop to water the horses at the fountain, on the square of this charming Provençal village. We then join our steward who will have prepared a beautiful buffet for us for lunch.
In the afternoon, we take paths in the pine forests and scrubland, to reach Rustrel. After installing the horses, you join your accommodation for dinner in an inn in the heart of the village.
Day 3 - Rustrel to Revest du Bion
We set off again on horseback towards the Plateau d'Albion, leaving the Natural Park of Luberon and entering the Natural Park of Ventoux. We climb quietly in a "combe", a valley shaded by holm oaks, to the Plateau, a major place of lavender cultivation. Picnic near a chapel before exploring the plateau, a former launch site for surface-to-surface ballistic nuclear missiles of the French Nuclear Deterrent Force from 1971 to 1996.
Ride through fields of lavender and sage. Arrival at the gîte where you can relax in the swimming pool or visit the village of Sault, capital of lavender, for some shopping, or visit its lavender distillery.
Day 4 - Revest-du-Bion - Montbrun les Bains
Departure on horseback through moors and forests. Picnic near Sault.
In the afternoon, we set off again on horseback towards Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of Mont Ventoux. This afternoon, the colors of lavender, grain fields 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 Mont Ventoux, surrounded by green hills and dominating a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender: one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Day 5 - Montbrun les Bains - Mévouillon
This morning, the ride passes at the foot of the Giant of Provence: Mont Ventoux. We follow the Toulourenc, a pleasant refreshing stream, cross typical villages, and enter the Drôme Provençale: an alternation of wooded hills planted with lavender.
In the afternoon, we head for Mévouillon where the truck and minibus are waiting for us to bring horses and riders back to Lauris, in the Luberon.
Day 6 - Departure
End of the ride after breakfast. Transfer to Marseille airport or Aix en Provence train station.
PH
The trip was beautiful and we had a most wonderful time. Everyone involved was gracious and the hospitality was great. The Cap Rando Equestrian Centre horses were well kept. The accommodations each night were spectacular; some a bit more rustic than others but all were clean and comfortable. The food was also well prepared and plentiful except breakfast which was toast and coffee except for one of the places we stayed had a more, they provided some cheeses, granola and yogurt, etc.
Each day at lunch we had a hot meal and a two hour break both for the horses and our benefits. The country side was spectacular as well. We were also grateful for the two d’Hotes that had pools, yea; the weather was a bit warmer that usual for the area!
As far as riding through lavender fields, we did ride alongside and near a lot of lavender fields and other flowers, etc, which were beautiful. We did ride by some cherry orchards also; the cherries were delicious.
All in all it was a great vacation. If you ever need a volunteer to check out a ride that you are advertising keep me in mind. Riding vacations are great fun.
Happy Trails