Ride Overview

Ring in a true “Bonne Annee” in the countryside made famous by Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence. Ride through ancient stone villages by day and toast the New Year by night. With wonderful French cuisine and fun riding, this will be a New Year to remember.

Highlights include:

Fun riding in the foothills of the Luberon Mountains
Tour and tasting at a local winery
A morning of guided sightseeing in the local towns
Two day trail ride to see the village that inspired Cezanne
Riding and relaxing in the area that is home to great wine, truffles, cheeses and all sorts of wonderful food

Not on offer in 2024

Included

  • Accommodation
  • Guided trail riding
  • All meals
  • Horse and all tack
  • New Year’s Eve celebratory dinner
  • 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

12/26:

After airport or train collection (complimentary at pre set times), riders will gather at the "Gargoulettes" just beside the “Mas de Recaute” your French Farm Home, late in the afternoon. Introduction to your accommodation, an aperitif and presentation of the ride will mark the start of your week in Provence. Dinner at the host’s table.

12/27:

A short hack to get you in the saddle and exploring the hills around the Mas (Provincial farm). Two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon with a conducted tour of a wine cellar and a tasting of wines of “Cotes du Luberon”. Back to the farmhouse, you will enjoy a rest in front of the fire place before the dinner prepared by our chef.

12/28:

Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely picnic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on its cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to get the best production of : wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons ... the Provence treasures!

12/29:

Half day off, visit of Lourmarin, it's castle and local market: a famous village classified "one of the nicest villages in France" where Albert Camus, the French novelist lived and where he is buried. Free lunch in the village. Afternoon ride in the pine tree hills and along olive trees, vineyards and other fruit trees with a stop in a cave for a wine tasting.

12/30:

Transfert to Buoux for a two day trail ride. Buoux-Lauris: You will ride to the crests of the Luberon to discover a wonderful view: the snow peaks of the Alps to the North and the Mediterranean Sea to the South. A nice picnic will be prepared near the village of Lourmarin. In the afternoon, following the foothills of the southern side of the Luberon with nice views on the Sainte Victoire mountain painted by Cezanne, you will come back to Lauris.

12/31:

Second day trail ride. Lauris-Buoux: You will ride to Bonnieux, beautiful perched village where all houses made of stone blend with the limestone cliffs at the foot of a plateau covered with almond trees and lavender. The lunch buffet will be prepared close to the village. In the afternoon, you will follow the Aiguebrun, a single stream through the Luberon, a very pleasant trail along the clear waters sheltered by lush vegetation and stunning cliffs popular for climbers. Horse and rider transfer back to Lauris. Provençal dinner and celebration of New Year’s Eve.

01/01:

Departure after breakfast. Transfer to Aix en Provence train stations and Marseille Provence airport (complimentary at pre set time).

* The itinerary may be changed, depending on weather conditions or other imperatives.

France-Mas-De-Recaute-map