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HAUTE PROVENCE HORSEBACK ADVENTURE...

During this horseback trail, you will discover the high places of Provence celebrated by Jean Giono. The pleasant climate all year round allows you to appreciate this country of thousand and one landscapes...   The crossing of the valley of Banon and its fields of lavenders as far as the eye can see, the Roman ways and the perched hamlets, the river of Lauzon and its "bathing" places, the Mountain of Lure, the remarkable architecture of the villages we come through (Forcalquier, Lurs, Sigonce), the geologic site of Mourres...   A ride absolutely to be discovered!

RIDE ITINERARY

Day 1 : Sunday

Welcome of the riders at about 7 pm at the riding centre, or transfer at 6:15 pm from the station of Brillanne - lines TER Marseille / Briançon-(approximately 30 minutes drive).
Our first meeting allows us to get acquainted with the other riders and also to receive more precise explanations concerning the program of the week and the horses. Meal and evening at the riding centre, night in the dormitory.

Day 2 : Monday

Today, we leave for a beautiful day around the riding centre to get acquainted with our horses. Along the roman track we come through the village of Banon, built in the mountains and overlooking the valley. We will have picnic at the Spring of Oboeuf and in the afternoon  the forest paths and between the lavender fields will  give us nice occasions for a canter.

Tonight, we have dinner and night at the riding centre.

Day 3 : Tuesday

This morning we leave in the direction of Seigne forest and its nice tracks, riding through villages and hamlets with a remarkable architecture. After lunch break on a usually sunny spot on the hills, we arrive in Forcalquier bu the Zinzine hill and then its historical center. We spend the evening in the guest house "La Parise" in a comfortable dormitory.

In summer, this stop can be replaced by an itinerary higher up in the mountains where we appreciate the coolness of beech groves. The evening is planned in that case in a pastoral sheepbarn.

Day 4 : Wednesday

Today we go to the stunning geological site of the Mourres, with its rocks shaped like human faces or like mushrooms… not yet Cappadocia, but there is a resemblance... We continue through the valley of Pierrerue where we can do some canters. The place where we picnic today is magic, as we will stop by the falls of Menyssargue (swimming possible in late summer).

During our afternoon ride, we pass by the famous village of Lurs, where we make a small, well deserved break.

We spend the evening with our friends the goat breeders at the Pré Giraud, who will make us taste some of the home-made goat cheese.

Accomodation in comfortable rooms of 3 and 5 beds (possibility to upgrade to a single room with 10 € supplement to pay directly, depending on availability).

Day 5 : Thursday

After breakfast we leave for a lovely route high up from where we can admire views on all Provence. Our steps then lead us to Sainte Etienne les Orgues, famous village for its numerous herbalists. In the afternoon we will ride in the Lure Mountains where we will discover the 12th century chapel just before arriving at the mountain refuge where we will spend the night at 1500 m.

Day 6 : Friday

Today we continue on the crests and through mountain pastures and with a bit of luck we can maybe see a flock of chamois or even a golden eagle.

After a small deviation on the peak of the Pré de Fau at 1700 m, we go back down to the valley through the Combe de la Sapiée and its magnificent beech wood.

Picnic will be at the sheep barn of the Gros Chêne (big oak tree) and we will have a siesta under a majestic tree. On our way back we come through the valley of Lardiers and its lavender fields.

Dinner and night at the riding centre.

Day 7 : Saturday

Breakfast at the riding centre and possible departure from 09:00 am.

The riders travelling by train will be transferred to the train station of Brillanne for the train of 10:54 am arriving in Marseille at 12:22 pm.

This itineray is communicated as a rough guide. According to the season and the weather conditions during the ride, we can take a different circuit in the same regions. From May till September, we take a route a little higher up in the mountains to find some coolness, with certain nights of bivouac, in a sheepbarn or mountain refuge. At the beginning and at the end of season, we privilege more valley sites and some nigths can be replaced by guesthouse accommodation.

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses

Our horses are issued from varied breeds. They are used to live and make the trails together and perfectly adapted to the ground and the climate.

Tack

English or trail tack with saddle bags.

Riding experience

We ride about 5-6 hours everyday, so you should be comfortable at all paces and have a good stamina to ride 25 to 30km a day.

We will ask you to take care of your horse : brush, saddle, unsaddle.

Minimum age is 12 years if accompanied by an adult.

The minimum age to participate in this trail without an accompanying adult is 14 years.
Maximum weight : 95 kg

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation

This horse riding tour is what we call an "adventure", so you should be prepared to a quite simple comfort.

On the 6 nights included on that trail, we spend 4 nights in guesthouse in small dormitories and 2 nights in refuge or under tent depending on the season.

Possibility to have a hot shower 4 days only, the other 2 days possibility to wash with cold water.

Meals

Picnic lunch will be taken from the saddlebags.

For dinner, our support vehicule will join us with the luggage and a hot meal.

DATES AND RATES

No single room available on this ride.
When sometimes it is possible, and if you wish, we'll ask you to pay directly 10€ single supplement.

- trail ride as described on full board basis (dormitory), from the dinner of Sunday until the breakfast of the following Saturday,

- wine included at dinner,

- transfers from and to La Brillane train station at scheduled times,

- Total and unlimited financial guarantee (APS) of all payments made to us (see "why ride with us ?"),

- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?").

- transport from and to the meeting point,

- extra drinks,

- any other service or optional visit entries, personal expenses

- tips,

- a tour to discover other regions of France before or after the trail (castle life, golf training, thalassotherapy spas...), see our "after ride proposals".

- optional insurances.

BOOKING - MORE INFORMATION

Contact Anne, the specialist for this horse riding tour ...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Meeting on Sunday evening 7 pm at the riding centre.

Possible access by train from La Brillane train station. Trains from Marseille / Aix en Provence.

If you arrive by train, we'll pick you up at the train station on Sunday at 6.15pm. We'll drop you off at the station on Saturday for the train at 10.54 am.

Provence is blessed with mild weather throughout most of the year, particularly those areas along the coast. It isn't all sunshine though, as the winter months can be quite cold when the Mistral wind begins to blow.

In general though, the climate in Provence is fairly moderate and is often what draws people to the area.

Because of the altitude in Haute-Provence, temperatures can be quite cold in the evening, or when the wind is blowing.

HEALTH

There are no specific health formalities and emergency medical treatment is as widely available in the country.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

A valid passport is required of all foreigners entering France, except people living from a Schengen agreement country for who a valid ID card is enough.

All foreign citizens who wish to come to France must be able to present regulatory proof of the purpose of their stay, means of support and accommodation. In some cases, they need a visa to enter France. Visas must be applied for before leaving for France at a French consular office.

France is a member of European Union. No visa is required for citizens of other EU states.

No visa is required for US visitors staying less than 3 months.

Please check these informations at your local French embassy.