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PROVENCE: FROM LUBERON TO CAMARGUE...

A genuine horse trip that will take you from the Provencal mountains of the « Luberon », across Van Gogh’s hills « Les Alpilles », and to the Mediterranean sea, in famous Camargue, the land of flamingos, black bulls and white horses.   A unique human and equestrian experience, a trip rich in history and culture, a week full of excitement as you will canter on the long beautiful sand beaches of the Mediterranean coast.

RIDE ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Sunday: Luberon

Meeting at Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence train station, or directly at the departure point of the ride around 06 pm.

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 in the guesthouse.

Day 2 - Monday: Luberon

You will ride in the hills of the « Small Luberon », covered in green oak trees. Everyday, lunch will be brought by your assistant : a beautiful buffet with local products and wine.

The afternoon ride will take you to the historical village of Merindol. You will pass by the ruins of the old village which was destroyed during the religious wars in the 16th century.

Dinner at the host’s table.
Overnight in a bed & breakfast. (On certain dates, return to the first guesthouse by car).

Day 3 - Tuesday: Luberon => Alpilles You will follow the foothill of the Luberon towards the west and make your way down towards the Durance Valley, to the South. After lunch, follow your guide closely as you cross the Durance river on horse back ! You will then ride out of the valley, towards Van Gogh’s country : les Alpilles. You will reach the Roman village of Eygalières late in the afternoon, and stop by the beautiful "St Sixte Chapel", to take pictures. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse near Eygalieres.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Alpilles (Baux de Provence) => Camargue

A cultural day as you will ride in the landscape Van Gogh loved to paint. You will stop near St-Rémy de- Provence, in front of the hospital where Van Gogh stayed and made his most famous paintings.

Admire beautiful Roman monuments, before you reach the lunch point, 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 to meet them later on at the hotel...in front of your room ! Visit of the village and transfer to our tonights' accommodation in the heart of Camargue.

Dinner and overnight in a typical Camargue hotel.

Day 5 - Thursday: Camargue You will take your first steps in the marsh land of the Camargue Nature Park : peacefulness, silence, stillness ... You will feel lost in the wild, as you ride in this remote part of Camargue, off the tourist track. Admire the rich wildlife among which the pink flamingos and herons.

 

The flat terrain will allow you to enjoy long trots and canters, before you arrive to the village of « Les Saintes Maries de la Mer », right by the sea.

You will have lunch at the hotel and give a well-deserved rest to your horse...and yourself, before jumping back on the saddle for an exciting ride on the beach.

Beautiful canters and gallops, before heading back to your hotel. Shopping in the village and dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel near the village.

Day 6 - Friday: Camargue

You will cross the « Small Rhône » river on a ferry boat to reach a very protected part of the Nature Park. The marsh land will slowly give way to sand dunes and pine forests as you ride towards wild beaches.

Lunch on the beach.

You will end the ride with other unforgettable canters and gallops.

Back to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Return transfer to Luberon, for a last dinner and party all together, share memories, pictures, addresses...and more wine !

 

Day 7 - Saturday

End of the trip after breakfast. Transfers to train stations and airport.

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses

Our travel companions are Spanish or barb crossbreds, adapted to trail riding. Well balanced and wilful, they live in a herd, outdoors, and only trail ride. They are our guarantee for a relaxing and safe ride.

Tack

Our saddles are designed for trail riding and allow a laid back style of riding.

Riding experience

You will ride an average of five hours everyday, at all gaits. The pace will vary according to the terrain. During the ride, we advise you to take care of your horse, in order to get to know him better, and to create a  special relationship with him.

To fully enjoy this ride, we require experienced riders, who can confidently canter and gallop in the open. For riders willing to discover the pleasures of trail riding in a more progressive way, we have created the Stationary Ride allowing guests to become comfortable with the three gaits step by step.

YOUR GUIDES

Guides are certified, and are friends who made a job of their passion. They will share with you this passion and the pleasure of trail riding. Whether on the Alpes or on the beaches of Camargue, amongst odorant thym, rosemary and lavander, our guides insure riders safety in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

All our guides speak English.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation

Double or triple bedrooms, in hotels and guesthouses.

We select our accommodation according to their beautiful setting and friendly atmosphere, for riders to enjoy a pleasant stay.

Meals

At lunch, our assistant will prepare a substantial buffet. A “pastis”, a glass of red wine a barbecue by a mountain stream, a refreshing salad, a nap before leaving again: as many small pleasures which will add to the friendliness of our rides. In the evening everyone meets around a nice table, to discover local food. We will have dinner in small hotels and guesthouses.

DATES AND RATES

Single supplement: 250 €

The supplement applies to all persons booking alone. If you are willing to share and we find another rider of the same gender to do so, the supplement will be refunded after the ride.

On the dates marked with an (*), we can organize the trail with upgraded accomodation to 3-4 star hotels for groups of minimum 4 riders.
Optional upgrade in 3-4 stars hotels (drinks not included): +700 €
Optional single room supplement in 3-4* hotels: +1200 €

It's not possible to be accommodated in 3-4 stars hotels during the scheduled rides above that are not marked with an (*).

- Trail ride as described on full board basis in 2 stars hotels and guesthouses (drinks included except for the 3-4 stars hotel upgrade option), from dinner on Sunday until the breakfast of the following Saturday,
- Transfers from and to Marseille Airport or from and to Aix en Provence Train station (central or TGV),

- 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 ?").

- drinks not taken during the meals and drinks during meals for the 3-4 stars hotels upgrade option,

- 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 us at +33 (0)4 37 02 20 00 or click here to email Anne, the specialist for this horse riding tour ...

GENERAL INFORMATION

First day

Meeting on Sunday evening at the departure point of the ride at 6 p.m.
Transfer possible from Marseille airport (5 p.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (5:30 p.m.) or Aix-en-Provence central train station (5:45 p.m.).
Last day
On Saturday morning, drop off at Aix-en-Provence central station (10:15 a.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (10:30 a.m.) or Marseille airport (11 a.m.).

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.

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.