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PROVENCE: LUBERON & FRENCH COLORADO RIDE

RIDE ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Monday: Bonnieux - typical perched village

Transfer on Monday morning from the airport or train station to the riding center. You will have an introduction to the trail ride and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to your horse and start the trip westward through the Luberon rolling hills, towards the beautiful perched village of Bonnieux.

 

The houses, all made of stones, form a striking harmony of earth-toned colours and shapes.
Some superb residences dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries remind you that Bonnieux was a wealthy village when this region, the Comtat Venaissin, belonged to the Popes. Several bishops also chosed to live here and as you ride through the village streets you will no doubt marvel at the architecture and history on display.

Take a glimpse on Lacoste, the village of the sadly known Marquis de Sade. Beware and follow your guide very closely so you do not get lost anywhere near his castle!

After the picturesque village of Bonnieux, the trail goes down in the Valley of Apt. Cherry orchards and vineyards then drive you to Bonnieux, where you will spend the night in a charming guesthouse (with swimming pool).

Before dinner, visit to the famous village of Roussillon and its ocher cliffs.

Day 2 - Tuesday: Roussilon ocher

Undulating hills covered with nice pine forests will take you to Roussillon.

You will ride among the ocher and will enjoy a couple of nice canters. The trail will then guide you to Gargas, a village well-known for its fossils. Beautiful views on the perched village of Saint Saturnin-lès-Apt.

Lunch in the pine forest.

In the afternoon you will go by the village of Villars, before heading to Rustrel, riding in the bed of the Doa river, a cool and beautiful itinerary.

You will spend the night at a hotel in Rustrel and the horses will stay near the village.

Day 3 - Wednesday: Provencal Colorado Rustrel is the gateway to the “Colorado Provencal”. In the morning you will spend some time among the amazing cliffs and hills of ocher. The colorful morning will totally disorient you!

Heading back to the foothills of the Luberon, the itinerary will then take you through the beautiful village of Viens. You will then ride down to the Calavon river.

You will spend the night in a guesthouse or in a hotel in Cereste.

 

Day 4 - Thursday: Auribeau perched village You will follow the foot of the Luberon, ride along vineyards, and all kind of fruit trees: cherry, apricot, peaches all blooming in April and May. You will cross another charming perched village, Auribeau, before going down to the Aiguebrun river and ride down cliffs in a green canyon before arriving to a stone built hotel down big climbing cliffs to enjoy the swimming pool before dinner.

Day 5 - Friday: Lourmarin perched village
You will ride up to the crests of the Luberon to discover an exceptional landscape and a view to the Alps to the North, to the Mediterranean to the South.

Then, you will ride down to Lourmarin. Picnic and visit the village and its 12th century castle, a charming Provencal village that inspired the famous American writer, Peter Mayle, who is now living nearby. You will then ride back to the riding center through the olive trees and cherry orchards, with nice views on the Sainte Victoire mountain, “Cezanne’s mountain”. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse or in a nearby hotel.

 

Day 6 - Saturday

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

 

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses

Our travel companions ! We will live at our horses’ pace ! Our horses are Spanish or barb mix, 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.

In order to make the most of the ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in outdoor riding. 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

1 English speaking guide + 1 assistant following with a van, preparing lunches, transfering luggage.

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

We plan the accommodation in dormitories but you can also choose to be accommodating in double or single room with supplement.

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 meet around a nice table, to discover local food. We will have dinner in small hotels and guesthouses.

DATES AND RATES

Optional 2 pers. en-suite bedroom: +50 €

Optional single supplement: +250 €

The supplement applies only if you required a double or a single room.

- Trail ride as described on full board basis in shared 2-3 pers. bedrooms, from the lunch of Monday until the breakfast of the following Saturday,

- Transfers are included in 2010 from and to Marseille Airport or train station and from and to Aix en Provence Train station,

- 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 points (optional return transfers = 50 €),

- drinks out of meals,

- 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

First day

Monday at 11 a.m. at the departure point of the ride.

Optional transfer from Marseille airport (10:30 a.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (11 a.m.) or Aix-en-Provence central station (11:15 a.m.).

Last day
Saturday morning after breakfast. Optional transfer: drop off in Aix-en-Provence central station (10:15 a.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV
station (10:30 a.m.) or Marseille airport (11:00 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.