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PROVENCE: SUMMER NOVICE RIDERS PROGRAM...

RIDE ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Sunday

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

Accommodation, introduction to the guide and the ride and dinner at the mas (a Provencal farm).

 

 

Day 2 - Monday: Discover horse riding The week will start with explanations on how to take care of your horse. After tacking, you will get more acquainted with your horse on a short hack in the surrounding area. After lunch discover the hills of the « Small Luberon », covered in a dense oak tree forest.

 

Day 3 - Tuesday

A whole day ride today! You will leave in the morning through a pine tree forest, and make your way down towards the Durance valley. Discover the Durance river and its clear waters. The river banks will be ideal for small canters, and will soon lead you to a beautiful lunch, prepared and brought by your chef in a nice shady area, right by the river!
Before leaving again, enjoy a well deserved nap under a tree or take a swim with your horse ... The choice is yours! The afternoon ride will take you back to the Mas through forests, vineyards and cherry orchards.

Day 4 - Wednesday This morning, your horse will take you to a wine cellar. Ride among olive trees and vineyards to a local wine producer close to the Mas. Stop to taste the local Luberon Wine, a Robert Parker selection! Lunch at the Mas. You will take the afternoon off riding and either stay at the Mas to relax in the garden, or take a trip in the minibus around the Luberon Regional Nature Park, to visit some provencal villages: Lauris, Lourmarin, Ansouis.

Day 5 - Thursday

Today you are off for a two-day ride in the Luberon Nature Park. The morning ride will take you towards Lourmarin through Provencal landscapes of olive trees, cherry orchard and Mediterranean forests. Lunch in Lourmarin and nap before leaving again in the afternoon to climb up the hills of the « Big Luberon ». Breath-taking panorama on top of the hill to the Alps on the northern side, and the Mediterranean sea on the southern side. Accommodation tonight will be in an Inn in the heart of the Luberon hills.

Day 6 - Friday You will head back to the Mas following the Aiguebrun stream, the only permanent water course of the whole of the Luberon hills! On the way, admire the perched village of Bonnieux. After a good lunch, your horse will take through rolling hills to admire beautiful views on the Durance valley and the surrounding hills, such as the Montagne Sainte Victoire: Cezanne’s mountain. You will arrive at the Mas late afternoon and take good care of your horse before letting him loose for a well deserved rest. Dinner party for your last night at the Mas...!

 

Day 7 - 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

Suitable for beginners (with a little experience), intermediate and advanced riders.

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

We plan the accommodation in dormitories but you can also choose to be accommodated 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. bedroom: +100 €

Optional single supplement: +300 €
Optional transfers: 50 €/person round trip

from and to Marseille Airport or from and to Aix en Provence Train central or TGV train station at fixed times

- Trail ride as described on full board basis in shared 3-6 pers. bedrooms, from dinner on Sunday until the breakfast on the following Saturday,

- 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,

- Transfers from and to Marseille Airport or train station and from and to Aix en Provence train station at the indicated transfer times,

- drinks outside 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

Sunday evening at the riding center at 6 p.m.
Optional transfer 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
End of the stay on Saturday morning.
Optional transfer 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.