- An original program that allows you to discover the contrasting landscapes of Provence: the hills of the Luberon, the beaches and marshes of the Camargue!
This program is offered to replace the trip from the Luberon to the Camargue in summer. This trail ride will make you discover two contrasting aspects of Provence on horseback, in two protected Natural Parks: the Luberon hills and the Camargue beach and swamps.
In the Luberon, the 4 first days, you will ride our horses with our guide in hills to discover the protected nature of the natutal park with it's fauna and flora, fruit cultures (olive, peach, apricot, cherry, almond), wineyards. A day with a picnic on the banks of the Durance will introduce you to a wide variety of migratory birds including the superb gray heron, and perhaps the bee-eater or beaver ... and an optional day to the Luberon ridges.
In the Camargue, the 3 last days with a local guide, you will ride among flamingos, Camargue horses and bulls, to reach the Mediterranean beach for a great canter: a contrasting flat landscape with the Luberon hills !
INDICATIVE ITINERARY :
Monday: Meet at noon in Lauris. Welcome drinks and presentation of your hike, followed by lunch. First 2-hour introductory ride in the Luberon valleys.
Tuesday: A 2-3 hour ride in the morning and the afternoon. At midday: lunch at the guesthouse next to the swimming pool.
Wednesday: Full day horseback ride to the Luberon mountain ridges. Picnic in a beautiful cedar forest.
Thursday: Full day horseback ride to the Durance river banks. Picnic by the river.
Friday: Free morning to visit the listed village of Lourmarin and enjoy its superb weekly market. Lunch on your own (not included) at a village restaurant. At 1 p.m.: transfer by minivan or with your own car to the Camargue. Welcome and check-in at the Mas at 2 p.m. in the heart of the Camargue. Departure around 2:30 p.m. for a two-hour horseback ride in the traditional Camargue style, during which you can discover the rich inland landscape of the Camargue Regional Natural Park. Free evening. Dinner on your own (not included) in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer or at a restaurant 5 minutes from the Mas. If you do not have a vehicle, transfer by taxi (€50 per car round trip) to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Return to the Mas, overnight stay.
Saturday: Breakfast around 8:30 am. Departure on horseback around 9:30 am for a day of horseback riding in the heart of the Camargue. You will ride along the Petit Rhône river, which you will cross by ferry with your horse, then continue on horseback to the "Domaine du Grand Radeau," a property with restricted access. You will explore this wild place on horseback, reaching its beach and pine forest. Picnic lunch on the beach, with the possibility of swimming during the midday break if the weather is nice. Return to the Mas via the inland route. Aperitif, dinner, and overnight stay at the Mas.
Sunday: Breakfast around 8:30 am. Departure for the last day of horseback riding in the Camargue around 9:30 am. You ride towards Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Picnic at "Bouvao d'Aubanel", in the shade of the Laupio (a Camargue shelter)... Horseback riding on the beach of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and towards the Réserve des Impériaux in the afternoon... Landscapes of marshes and salt flats, rich Camargue flora and fauna... A multitude of birds can be seen depending on the season, including many pink flamingos. End of the horseback ride at "Pointe de Cacharel". Transfer by minibus back to the Mas. End of your stay in the Camargue around 5 pm.
* Indicative itinerary, may be changed if necessary.
Please note: in case of high level fire risk, some forest massifs may be prohibited from access overnight on the first part in the Luberon, implying possible changes to the itinerary, without financial compensation.
MEETING:
Monday at noon in Lauris. Free transfer from Marseille airport (10:30 am) or Aix en Provence TGV station (11 am) with SNCF or Trenitalia No transfer from Marseille center: take the bus shuttle to the airport. No transfer from Aix en Provence center: take the bus shuttle to Aix tgv station.
* Please note: the shuttle cannot keep groups waiting, especially if your train or plane is late: plan to arrive ahead of the meeting time to avoid having to take a taxi in the event of a delay.
DEPARTURE:
Sunday afternoon after the day ride at ±5pm. Free transfer to Pioch Badet bus stop. Bus to Arles train station see schedule.
Or taxi to Montpellier or Nimes train station or airport.
RIDING LEVEL:
To participate and enjoy this trip, you must be comfortable at the three paces (walk, trot, canter) outdoors on balanced horses.
GROUP SIZE:
4 to 8 riders (10-12 in Camargue) + the guide.
GUIDE & ASSISTANT:
1 qualified guide speaking French and English.
HORSES:
In the Luberon: Local crossings (Spanish, Arab, French breed), of medium size, selected for their character and adapted to the type of hike we offer. All of our horses are "professionals" in trail riding: they only do this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live in herds all year round. Out of season, from November to March, they leave in semi-freedom over more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are well balanced and willful. Horses are allocated after discussion with your guide according to your height, weight, level and experience.
In Camargue: Mostly Camargue horses, well balanced, trail ride professionals.
TACK:
Comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags. Trail ride saddles are especially designed for long rides as well as for the gaits employed on this type of terrain. The saddles are comfortable for both the horse and the rider.
ACCOMMODATION: 
4 nights in the Luberon:
Les Gargoulettes : Guesthouse near the equestrian center with indoor pool, hammam, and jacuzzi. Comfortable double room with indoor pool, jacuzzi, and sauna, next to the equestrian center at the foot of the Luberon mountains. 3 person bedrooms: 1 double bed + 1 single bed
2 nights in Camargue:
Mas Saint-Georges : Simple accommodation on the equestrian centre, in a typical Camargue house. No pool, but beaches are only 20mn drive !
MEALS:
Breakfasts are traditional French breakfasts: hot drinks with bread, butter, jam, honey, cereal, and fruit juice (no cheese, eggs, etc.).
Lunch is served on Monday and Tuesday at the guesthouse by the pool. On riding days, picnics are packed in saddlebags (mixed salads, local charcuterie, cheese, fruit, etc.). Lunch is not included in the price and is available in Lourmarin on Friday to explore the village.
Dinners are served at the accommodations (dinner is not included on Friday in the Camargue to enjoy Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer). The cuisine is local, varied, and refined. Special diets (vegetarian and medical requirements) can be accommodated. Wine is included with meals.
2026 PRICE / PER PERSON:
1850 € / person in 2-3 person bedrooms
Single bedroom supplement *: + 350 €
Booking fees: 15 €
* If you book in shared bedrooms and there is no one to share, the single bedroom supplement will be charged, refunded if a person wishing to share, subsequently registers.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Equipped horse, guide, picnics, accommodation, evening meals (unless 1 dinner in Camargue), free transfer from the Luberon to the Camargue, free arrival transfer from Marseille airport and Aix en Provence TGV train station at the fixed times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, 1 dinner in Camargue, 1 lunch in the Luberon, drinks out of meals, any visits, departure transfer, all that is not indicated in "THE PRICE INCLUDES".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices - See information
This trail ride is offered as a replacement for the Luberon - Alpilles - Camargue ride if the Alpilles are closed for exceptional fire risk in Summer.