INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
6 NIGHTS:
Sunday: After airport or train collection, riders will gather at the “Gargoulettes”, your lovely French guesthouse late in the afternoon. Introduction to your accommodation, an aperitive, and presentation of the ride will mark the start of your week in Provence before dinner at the host’s table.
Monday: In the morning, meet your equine partner and “get acquainted” on an introductory trail ride in the vineyards surrounding the farm. Enjoy a French lunch on the grounds of the farm. In the afternoon the group leaves for one hour and a half to ride the rolling hills of the Luberon Mountain range. You will see white oaks, olive trees and the great perfume filled countryside of Provence. A wonderful dinner and accommodation at your Fguesthouse ends your first full day in this wonderful area of France which was also the shooting place for two famous provencal movies, part of the French culture: “Jean de Florette” and “Manon des Sources”, movies adapted from the novels of famous writer Marcel Pagnol. These two movies can be shot for you in the evening.
Tuesday: This morning, transfer to Aix en Provence by minibus. Chance to visit Cezane's work studio. You will then spend the rest of your morning in the famous Aix-en-Provence street market: the best place to buy local products and handycrafts ! You will be free to have lunch in one of the numerous café or restaurant in Aix, before meeting everyone again and being driven back to the equestrian center. Optional ride in the afternoon, to keep exploring the surrounding area, among all the quintessential Provence herbs: thyme, rosemary, savoury, sage, wild lavender. Dinner and a restful evening at your guesthouse are the perfect ending to this day.
Wednesday: Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely picnic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, paella, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on its cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to get the best production of wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons ... the Provence treasures ! Taking care of the horses, and you will be able to taste olive oil and olives, honey, and, if you want, participate in preparing a good Provence dinner and making all together the famous truffle omelette that you will then taste, with local wine…! .
Thusday: This morning is dedicated to the discovery of the village of Roussillon, classified as one of the nicest villages in France, a typical perched village with its ocre carreers. The afternoon hosts a half day ride up to the crests of the Luberon with a very nice view on the surrounding hills and the valley. Beautiful limestone cliffs looking down on you, and hosting the plateau of the cedar forest, will follow you on your ride. You will get back to the the guesthouse in the afternoon and will be able to relax in the covered pool, jacuzzi or hammam before dinner.
Friday: This morning you will visit an other famous and classified Provencal village: Lourmarin, Cezanne’s local market and where Peter Mayle – the Author of “A Year in Provence”, used to live. Free lunch in Lourmarin. In the afternoon enjoy your last ride to a local cellar producing “Cotes du Luberon”. This cellar has been promoted by Robert Parker, the famous American Wine Writer. Don’t drink too much, just enjoy your taste, before riding through nice pine tree forests and bring your horse to the pasture, in the woods, where they will have a week-end rest. Last dinner in a Provencal friendly atmosphere.
Saturday: After breakfast, transportation to train station or airport is organized.
4 NIGHTS:
Monday: Meeting at Cap Rando in Lauris at 9 am. Meet your equine partner and “get acquainted” on an introductory trail ride in the vineyards surrounding the farm. Enjoy a French lunch on the grounds of the farm. In the afternoon the group leaves for one hour and a half to ride the rolling hills of the Luberon Mountain range. You will see white oaks, olive trees and the great perfume filled countryside of Provence. A wonderful dinner and accommodation at your Fguesthouse ends your first full day in this wonderful area of France which was also the shooting place for two famous provencal movies, part of the French culture: “Jean de Florette” and “Manon des Sources”, movies adapted from the novels of famous writer Marcel Pagnol. These two movies can be shot for you in the evening.
Tuesday: This morning, transfer to Aix en Provence by minibus. Chance to visit Cezane's work studio. You will then spend the rest of your morning in the famous Aix-en-Provence street market: the best place to buy local products and handycrafts ! You will be free to have lunch in one of the numerous café or restaurant in Aix, before meeting everyone again and being driven back to the equestrian center. Optional ride in the afternoon, to keep exploring the surrounding area, among all the quintessential Provence herbs: thyme, rosemary, savoury, sage, wild lavender. Dinner and a restful evening at your guesthouse are the perfect ending to this day.
Wednesday: Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely picnic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, paella, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on its cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to get the best production of wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons ... the Provence treasures ! Taking care of the horses, and you will be able to taste olive oil and olives, honey, and, if you want, participate in preparing a good Provence dinner and making all together the famous truffle omelette that you will then taste, with local wine…! .
Thursday: This morning is dedicated to the discovery of the village of Roussillon, classified as one of the nicest villages in France, a typical perched village with its ocre carreers. The afternoon hosts a half day ride up to the crests of the Luberon with a very nice view on the surrounding hills and the valley. Beautiful limestone cliffs looking down on you, and hosting the plateau of the cedar forest, will follow you on your ride. You will get back to the the guesthouse in the afternoon and will be able to relax in the covered pool, jacuzzi or hammam before dinner.
Friday: This morning you will visit an other famous and classified Provencal village: Lourmarin, Cezanne’s local market and where Peter Mayle – the Author of “A Year in Provence”, used to live. Free lunch in Lourmarin. In the afternoon enjoy your last ride to a local cellar producing “Cotes du Luberon”. This cellar has been promoted by Robert Parker, the famous American Wine Writer. Don’t drink too much, just enjoy your taste, before riding through nice pine tree forests and bring your horse to the pasture, in the woods, where they will have a week-end rest. Departure.
* The itineraries are indicative, may be changed if necessary.