A horseback trail ride in the heart of Provence, country of sun light and fragrances, at the time painters and all artists prefer. Come to discover all landscapes painted by Cezanne. A week dedicated to trail riding in Provence landscapes and villages, to taste the Mediterranean food ... when local people have more time to share with you. Total immersion in riding, language and culture with optional Provence cooking lessons ! Accommodation at Fontenille 4 star hotel with great Provence gastronomy dinners.
LUBERON STATIONARY RIDE
INDIATIVE ITINERARY *
Sunday: Meeting at tour hotel in Lauris in the Luberon from 6 p.m. Welcome drink, presentations. Dinner at the gourmet restaurant, night at hotel Fontenille.
Monday: Allocation of your horse with whom you will share this week. Horseback introduction ride in the Luberon along the vineyards. Lunch at the equestrian center. In the afternoon, you will ride in the hills, in the oak forests and in the perfumed scrubland of the Luberon. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Tuesday: Morning ride between the Luberon massif and the Durance river: along the vineyards, olive fields trees, almond trees, cherry trees, peach trees ... Lunch at the equestrian center. In the afternoon, you will leave for a ride in the fragrant valleys of the Luberon, among thyme, sage, rosemary. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Wednesday: Departure for a full day of horseback ride in the Luberon to the banks of the Durance river. By a mule track, you will descend into the valley, with superb views of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the Alpilles, the Luberon and its typical perched villages of Provence. At noon, a buffet will be waiting for you by the river before going back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Thursday: An other full day ride up to the crests of the Luberon. You will be able to enjoy breathtaking views to the South: the Durance valley and the Van Gogh Alpilles; to the North: up to the South Alps and the giant of Provence: the Mont Ventoux. Picnic in a cedar forest. Return to the equestrian centre. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Friday: In the morning, you can enjoy the Lourmarin local market, and you can take a tasting in a Côtes du Luberon wine cellar. Free lunch in Lourmarin. In the afternoon, last ride on horseback in the pine forests and along the olive groves, before returning your horse to its field. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Saturday: End after breakfast. Transfer to Aix-en-Provence TGV station or Marseille airport.
* This itinerary is indicative and may change if necessary. For private groups, it is flexible.
MEETING:
Day 1 (usually Sunday, check according to the dates) at 7pm in Lauris. Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence TGV station (5:30 pm), Aix en Provence center train station (5:45 pm).
DEPARTURE:
Day 6 morning after breakfast (usually Saturday, check according to the dates). At 9:30 am, departure of the free transfer to Aix-en-Provence center train station (10 am), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (10:30 am), Marseille airport (11 am).
RIDING LEVEL:
In order to make the most of this stay and for safety reasons, we ask: to be independent in driving the horse, to be comfortable walking, trotting, cantering. This stay is suitable for riders who do not dare to go on a progressive Inn to Inn horseback trip where it is necessary to be comfortable at the three gaits outdoors: it allows you to prepare to have the level required for progressive trips !
Possibility of stay for non riders.
GUIDE:
1 qualified English speaking guide + 1 assistant preparing lunches.
HORSES:
Essentially crosses of Spanish, Arab, French breed. Horses are allocated according to each rider weight, height, riding level and experience. All our horses are trail riding “professionals”. Living throughout the year in a herd, trail riding is their only work activity. For these reasons, they are well-balanced gentle, yet wilfully engaged.
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 star Fontenille hotel: see website. In 2-3 person bedroom, or single bedroom with supplement. The hotel is located on a wine estate, an 18th century residence sheltered by cedars and plane trees, surrounded by woods and vineyards in the heart of nature.
MEALS:
Dinners at the hotel restaurant, a gastronomic 1 star Michelin restaurant. A cuisine combining authenticity and highlighting regional products, fruits and vegetables from the organic vegetable patch. Wine is not included in the price to allow you to taste the varied production of the estate. At noon, an assistant prepares simple but hearty buffets. One lunch is free (not included) in Lourmarin where you can enjoy one of the numerous restaurants and cafes.
2023 INDICATIVE PRICE / PER PERSON:
In 2-3 person standard bedroom: 2500 €.Single bedroom supplement: 1700 €
This rate is indicative, it can be higher or lower, depending on the number of riders, the room standard, and dates: contact us.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
The equipped horse rental, the guide, the assistant ensuring the preparation of the lunch buffets (except1 lunch in Lourmarin), transfers from / to the Aix en Provence train stations and Marseille airport at fixed times, accommodation in standard bedroom in the 4 * hotel, financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, 1 midday meal, all dinners, possible visit fees, registration fees, tips, anything that is not indicated in "the price includes
INSURANCE (if you don’t already have one):
We offer to European citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
This program is offered all they year on request and quotation
WEATHER:
The Provence is the sunniest part of France with more than 300 sunny days per year !
Temperatures tend to be around 30 ° in summer and drop to an average of 15 ° in winter. The famous Mistral wind can have a great effect on temperatures, it is much less felt in the southern Luberon, often sheltered by the massif.
July and August are hot with little to no precipitation. Temperatures tend to climb during the day, when a nap becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. At night the temperatures drop considerably and are pleasant in the Luberon.
The months before and after the high season are the most pleasant, May, June, September, until the end of October.
Winters are generally sunny and dry. Freezing can occur overnight. there are many days in winter when the sun invites outside activities and lunches. February, in particular, can delight with mild days.