FRANCE ON HORSEBACK |
Horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France |
|
Since 1998, Ride in France is dedicated to horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France.
Ride in France is part of Randocheval, the leading French equestrian agency, which offers rides in more than 50 countries. We even have our own travel agency in Mongolia!
No need to say that our team of French horse lovers has the best knowledge about horseback holidays in our own homeland!
Be ready for the equestrian adventure of a lifetime in France!
 |
 |
 |
Whether you are dreaming of fairy castles or enjoying French cuisine and wines, we have a ride for you! Discover our "special interest rides" to find your dream equestrian vacation in France ...
Read carefully all the information about our tours. Once you have chosen your ride, contact us to check the availability.
We will send you a booking form, you just have to fill it and send it back.
Payment is done very easily through wire transfer or credit card. You will receive the voucher and all necessary information as soon as the booking and payment has been completed.
It is important that you prepare your riding holidays to make the most of your equestrian adventure!
The following pages should answer all your questions about France, French horses and how to prepare your horseback vacation. Feel free to contact us if you need more detailed information.
French riders trying and trusting horse riding tours in France, it says it all !
We offer a top selection of the best rides in France. We offer a unique choice of ...
6 days a week, our 8 riding holidays experts are here to help you. They have tested ...
When you book through Ride in France, you are sure to get the best value for money ...
Unlimited Financial Guarantee of your payments, and protection of ...
Ride in France has been created in 1998 by Sabine et Thomas Grataloup, two horse lovers.
Today 8 experts help you to choose the best ride for you in France : Anne, Claire, Dominique, Julie, Laurie, Mathilde, Sabine and Thomas!
|
Exceptional diversity on this horseback riding adventure in Provence!Experience a magnificent horseback journey from Giono’s Provence to Daudet’s Provence. Ride from the Luberon massif all the way to the Camargue coastline, crossing the limestone ridges of the Alpilles along the way. |
From village to village, this exceptional trail takes you all the way to the sea, winding through fragrant pine forests and wild marshlands. Immerse yourself in the heart of a unique wildlife haven, surrounded by herds of bulls, free-roaming horses and flocks of pink flamingos, before a spectacular finale: a full gallop along the Mediterranean beaches. |
Day 1 - Sunday: Immersion in the heart of Provence
Your equestrian journey begins with a personal welcome at the foot of the southern slopes of the Luberon, between 4 pm and 7 pm. Travellers arriving by public transport can enjoy a complimentary scheduled shuttle from Aix-en-Provence TGV station or Marseille-Provence Airport. After settling into your accommodation, you will share a welcome aperitif at 7:30 pm. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow riders and receive a detailed briefing on your riding holiday before enjoying a convivial dinner featuring local specialities and spending your first night in Provence.
Day 2 - Monday: Lauris - Mallemort, from the Luberon to the Durance Valley
After breakfast, you will meet your individually assigned horse. Your first ride takes you along the southern slopes of the Luberon, following fragrant trails through pine forests, olive groves and limestone cliffs. You then descend into the valley and follow the Durance River along wide, easy-going tracks. Depending on water levels and your guide’s assessment of the conditions, the river crossing will be made either at a ford or via a safe bridge. A generous Provençal buffet, prepared by your support team, awaits you in a shady spot by the water. In the afternoon, you follow paths alongside the irrigation canal, riding through the cultivated farmland of the plain until you reach the horses’ paddock, before a minibus transfer takes you back to Lauris for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 3 - Tuesday: Mallemort - Eygalières (Crossing the Alpilles)
After a short transfer, you meet your horses in Mallemort and set off straight away across the fertile plain and its fruit orchards, making your way towards Lamanon, where a generous southern French buffet awaits you. In the afternoon, you enter the Alpilles Regional Natural Park on horseback. This striking limestone mountain range offers a magnificent contrast between its brilliant white rock formations and the deep green of its pine forests. You ride along winding trails, passing close to the famous Saint-Sixte Chapel. Your day’s ride ends near the village of Eygalières, where your horses settle in for the night. You check into your guesthouse at the foot of the hills before enjoying a traditional dinner showcasing the region’s finest local cuisine.
Day 4 - Wednesday: In the footsteps of Van Gogh and the transition to the Camargue
This morning’s four-hour ride through the ridges of the Alpilles takes you into the landscapes immortalised by Vincent van Gogh. Your equestrian route leads you to the ancient site of Glanum, where you will enjoy a picnic among the archaeological ruins. The horses are then loaded onto the transport truck. You continue on foot for a self-guided cultural visit to the Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery before discovering the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence (entrance fees to the monuments are at your own expense). In the late afternoon, a minibus transfer takes you into the heart of the wild Camargue, where you settle into your hotel with a swimming pool (available subject to weather conditions and availability), before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Thursday: Astouin - Visit to a traditional bull ranch - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
An hour-long morning ride through the Camargue landscape takes you to a traditional bull ranch, known locally as a manade. A passionate gardian (Camargue cattle herder) welcomes you and introduces you to the ranch and its livestock. You accompany him on horseback to accamper the bulls, a traditional practice involving guiding and driving the herd through the marshes towards a sorting enclosure. You then enjoy an exclusive demonstration in which the manadier sorts several bulls in front of you, sharing the secrets of the course camarguaise and its customs. After a rustic lunch prepared by the support team at the ranch, you get back in the saddle for an hour-long ride to the horses’ overnight location. A minibus then takes you to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for a free afternoon, followed by dinner in the village and an evening in a lively local bodega.
Day 6 - Friday: Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer - Méjanes (Galloping along the beaches)
This day is dedicated to exhilarating long gallops along the Mediterranean beaches. Lunch is taken from your saddlebags and enjoyed beneath a laupio, a traditional Camargue shelter inaccessible to support vehicles. In the afternoon, you ride along the shores of the Étang de Vaccarès, immersed in the region’s wild landscapes, where flocks of pink flamingos take flight overhead. Your ride ends at Méjanes, where the horses are loaded onto the transport truck. Riders are then transferred by minibus to the accommodation in Lauris to enjoy one last convivial dinner together and spend their final night in Provence.
Day 7 - Saturday: End of the riding holiday in Provence and transfers
Your equestrian adventure comes to a gentle close after breakfast and check-out. A complimentary shared shuttle collects your luggage and departs at 9:30 am for Aix-en-Provence TGV station or Marseille-Provence Airport. You leave Provence with wonderful memories, from exhilarating gallops across the sandy beaches of the Camargue to the fragrant pine forests of the Luberon.
The itinerary is subject to change. Your guide reserves the right to adapt the route or the order of the stages in response to changing weather conditions, flood risks or local administrative restrictions.
| Luberon to Camargue Horse riding Trail - 2026 | ||
| October 18 to 24 | 2150 € |
|
| October 25 to 31 | 2150 € |
available > sign up |
| November 1st to 7 | 2150 € |
|
| Luberon to Camargue Horse riding Trail - 2027 | ||
| April 4 to 10 | 2500 € |
|
| April 11 to 17 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| April 18 to 24 | 2500 € |
|
| April 25 to May 1 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| May 2 to 8 | 2500 € |
|
| May 9 to 15 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| May 16 to 22 | 2500 € |
|
| May 23 to 29 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| May 30 to June 5 | 2500 € |
|
| June 6 to 12 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| June 13 to 19 | 2500 € |
|
| June 20 to 26 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| September 5 to 11 | 2500 € |
|
| September 12 to 18 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| September 19 to 25 | 2500 € |
|
| September 26 to October 2 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| October 3 to 9 | 2500 € |
|
| October 10 to 16 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| October 17 to 23 | 2500 € |
|
| October 24 to 30 | 2500 € |
available > sign up |
| Supplements - (to be paid on the spot) - 2026 | |
Single Room Supplement |
390 € |
| Supplements - (to be paid on the spot) - 2027 | |
Single Room Supplement |
400 € |
- The riding tour as described above on a full board basis
- Accomodation in rooms in guesthouse (double or triple)
- Possible transfers from / to Aix en Provence TGV train station or Marseille airport at indicated times
- Drinks during the meals
- The financial guarantee of funds deposited in Ride in France (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 to and from the venue
- Drinks outside meals and tastings
- Registration fee of 15€ per person
- All other services
- Entrance fees for any visits
- The single room supplement, payable on site, which is compulsory for anyone travelling alone. If you agree to share your room and we find someone to do so, this supplement will not be payable
- Personal expenses
- Optional travel insurance
Horses breeds
Our travel companions are Spanish or barb crossbreds, adapted to riding trail, well balanced and willing, they live in a herd, outdoors, and are only used for riding trail. They are our guarantee for a relaxing and safe ride.
Tack
Riding trail saddles.
Suitable riding ability
You must be at ease at the three gaits riding outdoor and already have a good experience riding. You also have to take care of your horse : groom, saddle and unsaddle.
Maximum rider’s weight: 90kg.
Children from 12 years old are accepted if accompanied by an adult and if they have the suitable riding ability.
Helmet can be lent by the equestrian centre but we recommend you to bring yours for more comfort.
To ensure your safety and a relaxed atmosphere on the trails, your support team consists of complementary professionals:
Your lead riding guide: A holder of a state-recognised qualification (Equestrian Tourism Guide or Riding Tour Leader), they have an in-depth knowledge of the region and its trails. Able to lead the ride in both French and English, they manage the horses in the field, anticipate weather-related risks and adapt the pace of the ride while maintaining a friendly and reassuring atmosphere.
The logistics and support assistant: Present at every key stage in their minibus, they transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next and organise the preparation of generous local buffets each lunchtime.
The Camargue manadier and gardian: An expert in local traditions, they welcome you to their ranch and guide you safely among the herds of wild bulls.
Our highly qualified guides assess each participant’s riding ability during the first ride and monitor the horses’ health, care and well-being on a daily basis.
| Accommodation | |
In guesthouse and simple hotels (equivalent to French standard 2* or 2 épis). All nights in shared rooms for 2 or 3 people (triple can be 1 double bed + 1 single bed some nights) or in single rooms with supplement. Most rooms have private sanitary facilities: 1 night may not have enough rooms with private sanitary facilities. For couples, we guarantee double rooms. Single rooms are compulsory for anyone travelling alone and must be paid for on site. If you agree to share your room and we find someone to do so, no supplement will be payable on site. |
|
| Meals | |
 |
Good food, conviviality and sharing local flavours are an integral part of your journey. Your meals are designed to help you recharge after your rides! |
Breakfasts: These are served directly at your accommodation. Enjoy a traditional French breakfast at the guesthouses, with hot drinks, fresh bread, pastries, local honey and jams, as well as more substantial breakfast options during your stays at hotels in the Camargue. Lunches (buffet lunches): Every lunchtime, our catering assistant meets the group by minibus to set up generous cold buffets. Expect grilled food by the water, colourful fresh salads, regional produce, Provençal specialities and local wine tastings. Please note: one lunchtime stop in the Camargue is inaccessible to vehicles, so your picnic will be happily taken from your saddlebags and enjoyed in the heart of the marshes. Dinners: Shared at the guest tables of your accommodation or in carefully selected local restaurants in the Camargue, dinners showcase refined yet generous Provençal home cooking. |
|
Languages spoken by the guide: English / French speaking guide.
Group size:
Arrival airport / train station:
For riding
-
Two pairs of fitted technical riding trousers (avoid jeans and jogging bottoms, which can cause chafing)
-
Lightweight waterproof clothing that can be worn over a T-shirt or fleece, depending on the temperature (such as a waterproof poncho)
-
Shirts, T-shirts or polo shirts, plus a lightweight jumper or fleece
-
Riding boots or lightweight walking shoes, paired with leather half-chaps (stiff riding boots are not recommended for walking during the visit to Les Baux-de-Provence)
-
A warm, waterproof and windproof jacket or parka
-
Riding gloves: recommended for long days in the saddle and handling the reins in the water
-
Riding helmet (helmets can be provided on site, but we recommend bringing your own)
-
A neck warmer or buff to protect yourself from mosquitoes around the Astouin marshes and from sand blown up by the Mistral wind
Clothing for evenings and sightseeing
- Comfortable clothing: lightweight trousers, cotton T-shirts, shorts for summer and a lightweight spare pair of shoes for the evening
-
A cap or hat
-
Swimwear
Personal hygiene and health
-
Toiletry bag
-
Towel
-
Lip balm
-
Sunscreen: minimum SPF 30–50+ (full protection recommended). Sun exposure is particularly intense and continuous while riding through the Alpilles and along the Camargue beaches, where sunlight is reflected by the sea.
-
Sunglasses
-
Insect repellent: a strong repellent suitable for humid areas is essential for evenings in the Camargue.
-
Personal medication, according to your needs and tolerance to certain medicines, plus a first-aid kit (pain-relief ointment for bumps and bruises, antiseptic)
Equipment
- Tissues
-
Pocketknife
-
Water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1 litre (disposable plastic bottles should be avoided to help protect the natural parks)
For extra comfort
-
A waist belt or multi-pocket vest to keep your camera within easy reach
-
Small plastic bags to store your personal belongings during the day
Documents
- Valid identity card or passport
-
Proof of emergency medical assistance and repatriation cover, if you have not taken out insurance with RANDOCHEVAL
Please do not bring
-
Sleeping bag
A relaxing itinerant ride across the typical landscapes of the Camargue region... |
"Super! A horse perfectly suited to my level and my desires! A nice guide and group. Fantastic Camargue with the guardian. Quality accommodation and food." - Camille I. (2025)
"We had a very warm welcome at the airport and at our first accommodation in Lauris by our hosts and guides Magali and Marie. Our guide Magali took rider and horse safety very seriously and was very clear on how to react in different situations. My horse Sentenza was the best riding horse you could wish for! He was confident and calm in all situations, always ready and moving forward. Absolutely wonderful! Magali and Marie checked the horses at every break and at the end of the day. We were very well informed about what was expected of us in terms of caring for our own horse. They always had time to help if necessary. Each accommodation was unique and we were treated to a surprise every night! I really liked the decor! Not to mention that the rooms were spotless and the owners/staff were welcoming and super friendly. This was one of the best horse riding holidays I've done so far, and I've done a lot of them in different countries in North America and Europe. I totally recommend this ride. The guides, the people we met in our accommodation, the horses, the varied landscape, everything was very magnificent!" - Anna-Katrina (2024)
"Very successful horse trip with an excellent guide, great horses, friendly riders, beautiful scenery and perfect weather. Great horses of different breeds, kept in a group, balanced and motivated. Riding knowledge and preferences were asked beforehand, so everyone was able to find the horse that suited them. A very good programme. Every day of riding was different, no day was boring. River crossings, magnificent views and beautiful gallops. Very varied landscapes, magnificent views and most of the time accompanied by the scent of different herbs. Riding in the Camargue with the bulls and on the beach was also a great experience. Accommodation: mostly good, often with swimming pools. Food: good and plentiful, always trouble free with an option for vegetarians." - Yvonne (2023)
"For my first equestrian trail experience, it will be an unforgettable moment. Breathtaking landscapes and time and peace to enjoy it, perfect horses, adapted material, really comfortable accomodations with welcoming and generous hosts... Everything was as described and more! I left with my head full of memories and one thought: when is the next time ? More than a sport adventure, I will keep the human adventure in my mind. I met humble people, true, who love their region and their horses and enjoy sharing everything. How can I thank Didier, Isa and Pierrot for all of these simple moments? Also a nice meeting with Alice and Nicky!" - Marion N. (2018)
7 days / 6 nights / 5 days on horseback.
AQUITAINEWine tasting ride in Bordeaux region. |
 |
+33 437 02 2000
