INDICATIVE ITINERARIES *
BETWEEN THE DURANCE AND THE LUBERON - OVERNIGHT IN MERINDOL
Day 1: Meet at Lauris at 9am. Lauris - Merindol. Departure of the ride: immediately, we are in the middle of nature in the heart of the Petit Luberon. We ride up the Recaute track lined with holm oaks and pines. Above are the Luberon cliffs, then descend to the Tapi, a forest refuge. Picnic stop, then we continue to explore the Petit Luberon down to Merindol where we can make a short stop in the old village of the Vaudois. We leave the village to reach the Argiles campsite where the accommodation awaits us (a spacious dormitory with about twenty beds, showers nearby, swimming pool in summer). Isabelle joins us in the evening with the meal and we have dinner together.
Day 2: Merindol - Lauris. Around 9 am after breakfast and a presentation of the day's itinerary with the map, we will join the horses to prepare them. Return to Lauris by the Durance bank: we cross the village of Merindol to find the plain and go up the course of this very beautiful river. The ground is soft and allows us good canters. Picnic in the forest then ascent towards the foot of the Luberon through scrubland, vines, olive trees and truffle fields. End of the ride and separation around 5 p.m.
BETWEEN PETIT AND GRAND LUBERON - OVERNIGHT NEAR BUOUX
Day 1: Meeting at 9 am at Lauris Lauris - Buoux. Departure at 10 am. We cross the Petit Luberon towards the village of Bonnieux, a superb perched village typical of Provence where the houses built of local stone, some dating from the 16th century, merge with the hills. Then we descend into the Aiguebrun gorges, at the foot of superb climbing cliffs. The evening stay is planned in an inn in the heart of the Luberon. Swim in the spring-fed pool for those wishing to relax and refresh before dinner.
Day 2: Buoux - Lauris: We ride up to the ridges of the Luberon, from where we discover a superb view: on the Alpi peaks to the north, on the Mediterranean to the south ! Picnic near Lourmarin, a listed village in Provence where Albert Camus lived and is buried. Then we get our horses ready to return to Lauris along the foot of the Luberon. The trails are pleasant, in the pine forests, overlooking the Durance valley, with a beautiful view of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire dear to Cézanne. End of your horseback riding in the Luberon at the end of the afternoon in Lauris.
PETIT LUBERON - OVERNIGHT IN BONNIEUX
Day 1: Meeting at 9 am in Lauris. Lauris - Bonnieux: Departure at 10 am. Ascent and crossing of the Petit Luberon by the Valbigonce track and the old oak tree to reach the Cap de Serre: magnificent panorama over the Petit Luberon, the Durance valley, the Alpilles, the Sainte-Victoire. Picnic at the top. Descent on the other side by the mountain of Cadasses, the hamlet of Chambarelle, the village of the bories. Arrival at the Vallon de Bonnieux campsite Accommodation in a wooden chalet, chance for a walking visit of the village: the campsite is 10 minutes from the village centre.
Day 2: Bonnieux - Lauris: Return via the crests of the Petit Luberon and the Philippe tower: panorama over the Apt valley, the villages of Lacoste, Roussillon, Mont Ventoux, the lavender fields. Picnic in a cedar forest. Return by the descent of the Portalas: very beautiful view of the valleys and valleys of Luberon. With a bit of luck, we will see Egyptian vultures nesting nearby. Arrival in Lauris at about 5 pm.
* Indicative itineraries that can be modified if necessary: weather conditions, fire risks, accommodation availability in particular.
