Horseback Riding Trip in PROVENCE : LUBERON TO CAMARGUE , MEDITERRANEAN RIDE

INDICATIVE ITINERARY *:

Day 1: Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence tgv train station (5:30 pm), Aix en Provence center train station (5:45 pm). Or meeting directly at Mas de Recaute in Lauris at 6 pm. Welcome aperitif and presentation of the trail ride. You will be introduced to your guide and spend a first friendly dinner at he «host’s table». Overnight at Mas de Recaute.

Day 2: From Lauris to Mallemort. Ride at the foot of the Luberon mountain in pine and oak forests to the Durance valley where we will cross the river.  Picnic brought by our assistant on the other side of the Durance river. In the afternoon, we will ride along the Alpilles canal to the farm where the horses will stay for the night. Transfer with minibus to our lodging Dinner at the host’s table. Overnight in a bed & breakfast in Merindol (on some dates, all dates in winter, return to Lauris in the minibus).

Day 3: From Mallemort to Eygalieres. In the garrigue of Provence , we will enter in the Alpilles Nature Park. You will then make your way out of the valley, towards Van Gogh’s country : the Alpilles. We will reach the Roman village of Eygalière late in the afternoon, and stop by the beautiful « Chapel St Sixte », to take pictures. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse near Eygalieres.

Day 4: From Eygalieres to Les Baux de Provence. A cultural day as you will ride in the landscape Van Gogh liked to paint. You will stop near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in front of the hospital in which Van Gogh stayed and made his most famous paintings. Admire beautiful Roman monuments, before you make your way towards lunch, by a gorgeous little lake, hidden in the hills. The afternoon ride will take you on the crests of the Alpilles: striking panorama on the surrounding area. We will even see the gleam of the Mediterranean sea in the distance. At the end of the trail, discover a breathtaking sight on the medieval village of «Les Baux-de-Provence ». Load the horses in the truck. You have the choice then between the visit of the village or the visit of the old quarries with exceptional multimedia projections. After this break, minibus transfer to Sylvereal, the gate of the Camargue. Night in a hotel: an old Abbaye and dinner at the hotel's typical Camargue auberge. At some dates, transfer to a hotel in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (mostly on the winter dates).

Day 5: From Astouin to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After breakfast, 5mn transfer to the horses. A stunning day ride to discover more of the Camargue. You will cross the « Small Rhône » river on a ferry boat to reach a very protected part of the Nature Park. The marsh land will slowly give way to sand dunes and pine forests as you ride towards wild beaches: unforgettable canters and gallops. You will feel lost in the wild, as you ride in this remote part of the Camargue, off the toursist track. Admire the rich wildlife among which the pink flamingoes and herons. End of the day at « Les Saintes Maries de la Mer », right by the sea. Time for a visit of the village and shopping. Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel near the village. 

Day 6: A morning ride on the beaches. Nice gallops and walk in the sea. The lunch will be prepared at the hotel by your assistant, and the afternoon you will ride along the Vacares lake: you will discover a lot of flamingos and wild birds on a pleasant trail. Transfer to Lauris, for a last dinner, share memories, pictures, addresses ...

Day 7: End of the trip after breakfast. Free transfer to Aix-en-Provence train stations and Marseille airport (departure at 9:30 am).

* Indicative program: may be subject to modifications if necessary (weather, floods, fire risks, ferry out of service in the Camargue, imponderables ...)