Horseback Trail Ride in Provence : PROVENCE HILLS & WINES ; FROM THE LUBERON NATURE PARK TO THE FOOT OF THE MONT VENTOUX

PROVENCE WINE TRAIL RIDE
INDICATIVE ITINERARY

Day 1: Meeting in Lauris at 7 p.m. 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).

Day 2: Lauris – Merindol. You will follow the vines, sheltered by the southern side of the Luberon. On the way, chance of a wine tasting visit in a “Cave de Vins”. Picnic in a pine grove: a copious buffet prepared by our assistant. In the evening, horses stay in Merindol, riders are transfered to the accommodation in Lauris. A pleasant meal accompanied by a “Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence”.

Day 3: Merindol – Oppède. After breakfast, transfer bach to the horses in Merindol. Ride through pine forests with wonderful views of the Durance valley with orchards, whose fruit you will taste at the picnic. In the afternoon, landscapes of cliffs where eagles and other birds of prey nest. Arrive at Oppède where the horses will stay for the night. For the riders transfer to Coustellet. Dinner at the restaurant and night at the hotel.

Day 4: Oppède – Venasque. Today, you enter into the “Côtes de Ventoux” producing area, via the Vaucluse mounts. You will reach the “mur du peste” a wall constructed in 1720 to protect the populations from the great epidemic that spread from Marseille. Night near Venasque, a historical village.

Day 5: Venasque – Crillon le Brave. Countryside of rolling hills, through pine forests and cherry trees, facing the “Mont Ventoux” called the "Giant of Provence". Before lunch wine taste at the Domaine des Anges. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the Moulin d'Antelon or other guesthouse near the village Crillon le Brave. The village takes its full name of Crillon-le-Brave from the most legendary of its dukes: Louis des Balbes de Berton de Crillon or "Le Brave Crillon" (1541–1615) was one of Henri IV's fiercest and most valiant generals during the French Wars of Religion in the late 16th century. The same Crillon family also gave its name to the famous Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. Before dinner you can enjoy the swimmig-pool.

Day 6: Crillon le Brave – Gigondas. You will ride through villages, with the “Mont Ventoux” in the background. Picnic near the Barroux village and chateau. In the afternoon you will discover the “Dentelles de Montmirail”, needle thin spikes and ridges (“dentelle” means lace).  Wine taste at Domaine de Cassan, in the heart of this beautifull range. End of the ride at Gigondas. Transfer to Lauris.

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

* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary.