Ride Overview
Provence is situated in the sun-blessed southeast corner of France, edged to the south by the Mediterranean. Formerly it was, to the French, a place of indolent country folk. To tourists, it was an idyllic spot, but one reserved for the rich or artistic. Today, it is, more than any other region, where the French would choose to live and work.
Provencals are the most generous and warmest hosts and there is an all pervading “Frenchness”, which means that people are polite and punctual. Traditions are important to the people and local crafts are not hobbies but well respected and time honored occupations. Relationships span generations in Provence.
Some of the most attractive architectural features of Provence are the perched villages. They rise like jagged summits on the hilltops where they were built for safety in the political turmoil of the Middle Ages. They kept vigil over the hinterland as well as the coast. They were built around castle keeps and wrapped in thick ramparts, a huddle of cobbled streets, steps, alleys and archways.
You will enjoy long trots and canters through the countryside that inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh and each day return to the mas for a warm homemade Provencal dinner served with wonderful French wine and the traditional Pastis.
This ride uses small local accommodations each night: one of the pleasures of traveling on horseback is the variety! We have chosen the accommodations specifically for their convenient location on the route and for the quality of their welcome. More or less comfortable in terms of amenities, you will always have a warm memory: a good meal, a particularly pleasant atmosphere, or an exceptional setting. Some accommodations have a swimming pool.
Breakfasts are traditional French breakfasts: hot drinks with bread, butter, marmalade, honey, cereals, fruit juice. At noon, an assistant prepares hearty buffets (see photos). For smaller groups, some picnics can be taken in saddle bags. Dinners at the host tables in the guesthouses and in local restaurants. All meals are of local cuisine, varied and refined. Special diets can be adapted. Wine is included with meals.
2025 Dates: May 19-24, Aug. 4-9, Aug. 11-16, Aug. 18-23, Aug. 25-30
Rates: $2,270.00 USD per person or 1,800€ (Single Supplement: $395.00 USD or 300€)
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 5 days of riding
- Horse and all tack
- All meals
- Wine with meals
- Luggage transfers
- Train or airport transfers at pre set time
- 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 - Monday
From Lauris to Buoux. Transfer on Monday morning from the airport or train station to the Mas de Recaute Equestrian Center. You will have an introduction to the trail ride and lunch.
Meet at noon in Lauris. Welcome drink and presentation of your ride and lunch. We begin this horseback ride in the Luberon, starting from the southern slope. We climb the ridges of the Petit Luberon before descending the northern slope towards Bonnieux: a very beautiful hilltop village 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 border 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 great climbing falsies of Buoux.
You can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner. On certain dates, you will be transferred to the gîte in Lauris, the horses remain at the inn.
Day 2: Tuesday
From Buoux - Céreste.
We'll begin the day by exploring the prehistoric sites of the Aiguebrun Gorges. We'll then head to a beautiful Provençal village and stop at the village fountain to water the horses. Lunch break under the oak trees.
In the afternoon, we'll ride along trails through the fragrant scrubland before arriving in Céreste, the gateway to Haute-Provence. Dinner and overnight stay at an inn in the heart of the village.
Day 3: Wednesday
From Simiane-la-Rotonde
After a break to discover the 11th-century Priory of Carluc, we will resume our horseback ride, leaving the Luberon towards Oppedette, riding through the Provençal hills and along fields of sage and wheat covered in poppies. Our assistant will be waiting for us with a pleasant buffet in the shade of the truffle oaks, on the edge of the Oppedette Canyon.
Stroll through this typical village of Haute-Provence, before setting off again on horseback in the shade of the holm oaks.
Arrive at the guesthouse at the foot of the hilltop village of Simiane-la Rotonde, in time to enjoy the swimming pool before dinner.
Day 4: Thursday
From Simiane-la-Rotonde - Le Revest du Bion.
You'll head back on horseback to the Monts de Vaucluse. Picnic under the chestnut trees, whose leaves are used to wrap the delicious Banon goat cheeses, which we'll enjoy accompanied by a Côtes du Luberon.
In the afternoon, the ride winds through fields of lavender and sage before arriving at the equestrian lodge, a bed and breakfast. Upon arrival, you'll have the choice of swimming in the lodge's pool or strolling and shopping in Sault, the lavender capital of Provence!
Day 5: Friday
From Le Revest-du-Bion - Montbrun les Bains.
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 Mont Ventoux. Surrounded by green hills and overlooking a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender. Lavender is harvested at the end of July, in August a few fields remain, the fragrance continues to delight the riders.
Arrival in the late afternoon at Montbrun-les-Bains, facing Mont Ventoux, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Transfer of the riders by minibus, the horses by truck, to return to Lauris for the last evening.
Day 6: Saturday
End after breakfast, transfer to the airport or train station.
* Indicative program that can be modified if necessary due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
