A tour of the Luberon on horseback in Spring and Autumn. The Luberon: a natural park in the heart of Provence. An itinerant horseback ride in the colors and scents of Provence ! You will cross the perched villages of the Luberon, ride in the scented scrubland !
- Groups limited to 4 riders + the guide (except in Summer)
- Intimate ride from 1 or 2 riders (with supplement)
43.919910815293, 5.4990887
Horseback riding in the Luberon in spring and autumn under the Provence sun. A tour of the Luberon on horseback, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park: remarkable site in the heart of Provence. A ride plenty of colors, a ride of scents. You will ride in the oak forests and pine forests, in the scrubland with the scents of herbs of Provence, in valleys at the foot of superb cliffs, will cross the typical Provence perched villages of the Luberon.
HORSEBACK RIDING TRIP IN THE LUBERON
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 0: We suggest to arrive one day before and spend one night in Aix en Provence (bus shuttle from Marseille airport or Aix TGV), visit this cute city loved by Cezanne, and take the bus to Lauris on Monday. Recommended hotels: Hotel Cardinal ** - Hotel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hotel Mercure Paul Cezanne ***
Day 1: From Lauris to Buoux. Free transfer on Monday morning from Marseille airport (10:30 am), Aix en Provence tgv station (11 am), Aix en Provence center train station (11:15 am) to the Mas de Recaute and Cap Rando Equestrian Center. You will have an introduction to the trail ride and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to your horse and will start the trip through the Luberon rolling hills, towards the beautifull perched village of Bonnieux. The houses, all made with stones, form a striking harmony of earth-toned colours and shapes. After the picturesque village of Bonnieux, the trail goes down in the Valley of the Aiguebrun river down high cliffs famous for climbers. Overnight in a nice Auberge along the river. Depending on the date, exceptionally, you may be transfered to Lauris for the night.
Day 2: Buoux - Rustrel. The ride restarts on horseback, following the green valley of Aiguebrun on a pleasant trail. We head towards the very pretty perched village of Saignon, typical of Provence, then descend into the Calavon valley along the orchards of cherry, peach, apricot trees ... the garden of Provence. At noon, a hearty buffet awaits us (or we take the picnic out of our bags on certain dates). In the afternoon, we follow trails in the pine forests and the fragrant scrubland, to reach Rustrel. After the installation of the horses, then you can go visit the Colorado Provençal on foot. You join your accommodation for dinner in the heart of the village.
Day 3: Rustrel - Buoux. In the morning, departure on horseback overlooking the Provence Colorado. We are heading towards the very beautiful village of Saint-Martin-de-Castillon, another perched village in the Luberon. The picnic is taken out of the saddle bags at the edge of the Calavon river. We leave along the lavender fields, truffle oak plantations, at the foot of the Grand Luberon, to reach the Aiguebrun gorges: a pleasant shaded path by the stream, to reach the Auberge des Seguins, nestled at the foot of the impressive cliffs of Buoux famous worldwide for climbing. Dinner and overnight at the hostel. On certain dates, in case of unavailability of the inn: the horses stay at the inn and the riders are transferred to the gîte de Lauris
Day 4: Buoux - Lauris. On horseback, we leave the Aiguebrun gorges to ride up to the ridges from where we discover a superb point of view: on the alpine peaks in the north, to the Mediterranean in the south when the weather is clear ! Picnic near Lourmarin, a listed village where Albert Camus lived and is buried. The return to Lauris is done along the foot of the Luberon. The paths are pleasant, in the pine forests and along vineyards and orchards overlooking the Durance valley, with a beautiful view of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain dear to Cézanne. End of the ride if you have chosen the 4-night version and transfer to the bus stop in Lauris. If you stay one extra night, after leaving your horse for a few days of rest, you can go visit the village of Lourmarin, stroll through its alleys, stop at a café terrace, do some shopping for local products and discover its 12th century castle. End and departure or optional overnight.
* Indicative itinerary which may be subject to modifications if necessary, in particular in the event of an exceptional fire risk in summer.
MEETING:
On day 1 (Monday), meet at Lauris bus (coming from Aix-en-Provence) stop at 10:45 am. Check schedule. Or directly at Cap Rando at Mas de Recaute between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
DEPARTURE:
Day 4 (Thursday) afternoon around 5 p.m. Free transfer to La Roque d'Antheron bus stop.
Bus from La Roque d'Antheron (see schedule) to Aix en Provence centre. Shuttle bus (see prices and timetables) from Aix en Provence center to Aix en Provence TGV station (every 15 mins - 20 mins drive), Marseille airport (every 30 mins - 30 mins drive), Marseille Marseille Saint-Charles (every 5 mins - 30 to 50 min drive).
Additional night with half board on day 4: 40 € in a dormitory at Mas de Recaute, 55 € / person in a 2-3 person bedroom at Mas de Recaute, 85 € in a single bedroom at Mas de Recaute, 75 € / person in a 2-3 person bedroom at Les Gargoulettes, 125 € in a single bedroom at Les Gargoulettes.
INDICATIVE TAXI PRICES TO/FROM LAURIS:
Marseille airport: ± 150 €
Aix-en-Provence TGV: ± 130 €
Aix-en-Provence center: ± 100 €
RIDING LEVEL: 
To participate and enjoy this ride, you must be comfortable at the three gaits (walk, trot, canter) on balanced horses.
AGE & MAXIMUM WEIGHT:
From 12 years, 85 kg maximum.
RYTHM:
First day: 2-3 hours on horseback. Next 3 days: 5 hours on horseback per day on average: 2-3 hours in the morning, 2-3 hours in the afternoon. At the three gaits: mostly walk & trot, canter when the soil allows it.
GROUPS:
2 to 4 + the guide. In Summer: 4 to 8 + the guide.
GUIDE:
Licenced English speaking equestrian guide.
HORSES:
- On certain dates: with the horses of Cap Rando. Local crossings, of medium size, selected for their character and adapted to the type of hike we offer. All our horses are "professionals" of the ride: they only do this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live all year round in herds, out of season from November to March in semi-freedom on more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are balanced, kind and strong-willed. Horses are assigned after discussion with your guide based on your height, weight, level and experience.
- On other dates: cavalry from a Cap Rando partner: mostly of the Camargue breed. Your guide chooses your horse on the morning of departure based on your height, weight, level and experience. All our horses are trail riding "professionals". They only do this activity and live in herds all year round. For these reasons, they are weel balanced, kind and willful. Medium in size, we chose them because they are suitable for the type of riding we offer.
TACK:
- With Cap Rando horses: comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags.
- With our partner's horses: mostly western saddles equipped with saddlebags, that allow you to take the lunch picnic as well as some personal belongings. A saddlery adapted for the comfort of the horse, the comfort and the safety of the rider..
ACCOMMODATION: 
You can choose to book this ride in 2-3 person bedrooms, or in dormitories. Dormitories are mixt up to 6 person rooms, 2 nights in a 20 person room.
INDICATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS (depending on availabilities):
Les Seguins
Nights 1 & 3: All dates in dormitory, in bedroom on certain dates
Le Chateau
Night 2
Le Mas de Recaute
Optional night 4
Les Gargoulettes
Optional night 4
MEALS:
Dinners are taken at the inns. Local cuisine, varied and refined. Special diets are suitable. Wine is included with meals.
At lunchtime, hearty picnics (mixed salads, local charcuterie, cheese, fruit, etc.) are carried in saddlebags.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
Provided by the car assistance.
2022-2023 PRICE / PER PERSON:
Prices are calculated for a minimum of 3 riders. Possible departures for 1 or 2 riders with supplement.
In dormitories: 950 €
In 2-3 person bedroom: 1050 €
Single bedroom supplement: 150 € *
* The single supplement has to be added on the 2-3 person bedroom price. If you book in shared bedrooms and if there is no other rider to share, the single supplement will be applied.
1 rider departure: + 250 € - 2 riders departure: + 100 € / person
Additional night with half board on day 4: 50 € in a dormitory at Mas de Recaute, 60 € / person in a 2-3 person bedroom at Mas de Recaute, 80 € / person in a 2-3 person bedroom at Les Gargoulettes, Single bedroom supplement: 50 €
Departure taxi to Marseille airport: ±130 €, for Aix TGV: ±120 €, for Aix center: ±110 €
Booking fees: 15 €
PRICES INCLUDE:
Horse and tack rental, the guide, the luggage transfers, accommodation, evening meals in lodges and inns, picnics carried in saddlebags, drinks during meals (table water and 1/4 of wine), the guarantee of your payments by our travel agency guarantee.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals and not included during meals (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks), visits (Provence Colorado), transfers from/to Marseille airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV station , Aix-en-Provence center SNCF station, everything that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE (if you don’t already have one):
We offer to Europe Union citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
I had a wonderful time, Titeuf was a sweet horse, the ride was lovely, the group was fun, the dinners were delicious, and Didier the guide was so helpful and interesting. I hope to come back next year if my hip holds out.
"Amazing trip! Great horses and scenery." The horses were great - well suited to their riders and forward yet responsive. They work hard and are very fit, but never gave the impression they were jaded or bored. Some of the tack was a little tired and we were short of saddle bags, but little niggles only in a fabulous trip. A lot of the ride was slow due to the terrain, but that was specified in the trip description so I was happy with this
"5 days of wonderful trail riding" Lovely mix of horses (and riders) in the group - all well matched by our guide Didier Mejard. Mixture of conventional tack and trail riding/western - everyone learned some new skills of knot tying or girth lacing ! We were all amazed at just how fit and tough the horses were - it was very hot throughout - over 40C on one day - 6hrs plus in the saddle over 25km or so with a mix of paces - my lovely mare Carmen hardly breaking into a sweat !!! Got re-routed on one day because of the exceptional fire risk in the Grand Luberon - but Didier figured out a good alternative which meant trucking the horses back to Cap Rando one night and starting from there the next day - meant we got to ride down/in the Durance river - cool at last !
We were a nice group, from several countries. We became well known and had a nice time together. The horses were trained and safe. The guide was knowledgeable and clever. The food in the woods (lunch) was fresh and tasted delicious. The accommodation and food there were also very good.
"It was really exciting." The horses are very good and social. They fit for good for experienced and less experienced riders. At the beginning of your travel, they will give you a horse which you choose and which one you described.
We loved this ride. This is probably one of the most beautiful and scenic rides in Europe. The horses were well looked after and the tack fitted so that they were all comfortable. This is a knowledgeable place and the guide was excellent. There are so many great photo opportunities from horse back here that its hard to choose. We were a group of very experienced riders and whilst it is not a particularly fast ride, which we could cope with it didn't need to be as there was so much to see. Horses were great. Food is also excellent on this trip as is the accommodation. There is a choice of accommodation either hostel or more B&B auberge type. I would definitely pay the extra for the B&B type accommodation at Lauris because the beds are more comfortable but out on the trail all the beds were great. The back up vehicle is brilliant has everything you need both for you and your horse. I would do this trip again because it is amazing. Whilst I have had to tick a date we went here 3 years ago.
Beautiful villages and meals (but didn't see all the villages mentioned in the itinerary). Very nice people in the group. My horse was wonderful. Very careful and never stumbles; I felt very safe even being close to steep cliffs
All riders were experienced, friendly and considerate. Our guide was very knowledgeable and tried his best to please everyone. The scenery was varied and beautiful, and lunches on the trail were great. Loved riding into the villages ! Horses were well looked after. The trails were sometimes very rocky and steep, but the horses handled them well. I think the hours in the saddle some days were longer than represented in itinerary, but we all enjoyed it and had a good rest at lunch.
Tous les cavaliers étaient expérimentés, amicaux et agréables. Notre guide était très bien informé et fait de son mieux pour plaire à tout le monde. Les paysages étaientt variés et magnifiques, et les déjeuners sur la piste étaient super. J'ai adoré monter dans les villages! Les chevaux étaient bien soignés. Les sentiers étaient parfois très rocheux et escarpés, mais le
les chevaux évoluaient très bien. Je pense que les heures en selle certains jours étaient plus longues que présentées dans l'itinéraire, mais nous l'avons tous apprécié et nous nous sommes bien reposés au déjeuner.