A horseback journey that takes you from the foot of the southern slopes of the Luberon to the foot of the Mont Ventoux: the "Giant of Provence". A ride among the scents of Provence and the Upper Provence !
- An online trip for a greater variety of landscapes: from the Luberon to the foot of the Mount Ventoux
- A ride walking in Provence herbs
- Comfortable accommodation, most with swimming pool
44.00471321007, 5.56591955
Horseback ride in Provence and Upper Provence. All the landscapes described by Peter Mayle in his famous "A Year in Provence" novel and movie ! You will ride in the heart of Provence, from the Luberon Nature Park to the Mont Ventoux Nature Park, in Drome Provencale. Horseback riding of light and scents, halfway between the Alps and the Mediterranean. A horseback ride that allows you to discover a great diversity of landscapes, changing every half day !
SEE ALL OUR PROVENCE OFFER AND ALL OUR PROVENCE RIDES WITH OUR HORSES :
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE IN PROVENCE
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 0 - Sunday: We suggest to arrive on Sunday 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 our free transfer from Aix center train station at 11:15 am on Monday. Recommended hotels: Hotel Cardinal ** - Hotel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hotel Mercure Paul Cezanne ***
Day 1 - Monday: Lauris-Buoux. Meeting at noon at Lauris. Welcome aperitif and presentation of your ride and lunch. We start on horseback from the southern slope. We ride ut to the the crests of the Petit Luberon before descending the northern slope towards Bonnieux: a very beautiful perched village with stone houses. Then we head towards the Claparedes plateau and the first lavender fields. We then descend towards the Aiguebrun canyon which mark the boundary between Petit and Grand Luberon. We pass near the Priory of St Symphorien, then follow the Aiguebrun river to reach the first accommodation at the foot of the high climbing cliffs of Buoux. You can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner. On certain dates, if you have chosen bedroom accommodation, you will be transferred to the Lauris gîte, the horses remain at the inn. Dinner and night.
Day 2: Buoux – Cereste. Through the prehistoric sites of the “Gorges de l’Aigebrun”. Pass through a very pretty provincial village to offer the horses a drink at the fountain. Picnic under the oaks, then follow bridleways though the perfumed garrigues to reach Cereste. Night in an inn in the heart of the village.
Day 3: Cereste – Simiane-la-Rotonde. After a pause to discover the priory of Carluc dating from the 11th century, you will ride towards Oppedette. Cross the superb village, typical to Haute-Provence, perched on the cliff. Opportunities for some great gallops on the way to Simiane. Night in a “chambre d’hotes” (bed and breakfast).
Day 4: Simiane-la-Rotonde – Le Revest du Bion. After breakfast, chance to have walking tour in Simiane before leaving with your horse. Picnic under the chestnut trees, their leaves used to wrap the delicious goats cheese a speciality from Banon, which you shall taste accompanied with a “Cote de Luberon” wine. Ride through fields of lavender and sage, before arriving at the guesthouse. On your arrival, you can choose: swimming in the pool of the guesthouse or strolling and shopping in Sault, capital of lavender in Provence !
Day 5: Le Revest-du-Bion - Montbrun les Bains. Departure on horseback through moors and forests. Picnic near Sault. In the afternoon, we set off on horseback towards Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. This afternoon, the colors of the lavender (cutted in July), fields of cereals and the shadows of the foothills of Mont Ventoux will perhaps make you want to imitate the many painters who have fallen in love with this region. Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Montbrun-les-Bains, facing the Mont Ventoux, surrounded by green hills and dominating a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender: one of the most beautiful villages in France. Transfer of riders by minibus, horses by truck, to return to Lauris and spend the last evening.
Day 6: End of the ride after breakfast. At 9:30 am, free transfer to Aix en Provence tgv station or Marseille airport.
* Indicative itinerary: may be changed if necessary (weather, exceptional fire risk, accommodation availability, ...)
Please note: in case of high level fire risk, some forest massifs may be prohibited from access overnight on the first part in the Luberon, implying possible changes to the itinerary, without financial compensation.
MEETING:
Monday at noon in Lauris. Free tansfer from Marseille airport (10:30 am), Aix en Provence TGV station (11 am), Aix en Provence center train station (11:15 am). No transfer from Marseille center train station (take the bus shuttle to the airport).
We suggest to arrive on Sunday and spend one night in Aix en Provence (bus shuttle from Marseille airport or Aix TGV), visit this cute city, and take our free transfer from Aix center train station at 11:15 am on Monday.
Recommended hotels: Hotel Cardinal ** - Hotel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hotel Mercure Paul Cézanne ***
* Please note: the shuttle cannot keep groups waiting, especially if your train or plane is late: plan to arrive ahead of the meeting time to avoid having to take a taxi in the event of a delay.
DEPARTURE:
Saturday morning after breakfast. At 9:30 am, departure of the free transfer to Aix-en-Provence TGV station (±10:30 am), Marseille airport (±11 am). No transfer to Aix center (take the bus shuttle from Aix tgv) and Marseille center train station (take the bus shuttle from the airport).
* Please note: no departure possible before 9:30 am, plan a train or plane departure sufficiently after the scheduled arrival time to avoid having to take a taxi. Tgv train: not before 11 am, flight: not before 12:30 pm. Caution: tgv called “inoui” (low cost), require a registration 30 mn ahead at the train station.
LOW COST FLIGHTS TO MARSEILLE:
Many low cost companies serve Marseille airport: see the low cost companies and connections
RIDING LEVEL & CONDITIONS: 
To participate and enjoy this trip, you must be comfortable riding at the three paces (walk, trot, canter) outdoors on balanced horses. This ride requires a good equestrian level. Maximum weight: 90kg.
RYTHM:
About 3-4 hours riding the first day, 5 hours a day on horseback on average the following days: 2-3 hours in the morning, 2-3 hours in the afternoon, some days can go up to 7-8 hours riding. With a long break of around 2 hours at noon. You will ride the three paces: walk, trot, and canter when the terrain allows: slow the first days in the Luberon.
GROUP SIZE:
4 to 8 riders with the guide.
GUIDE & ASSISTANT:
1 qualified guide speaking French, English, German (on some departures) + 1 professional assistant ensuring luggage transports and preparing lunch buffets.
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.
CAVALERIE:Croisements locaux, de taille moyenne, sélectionnés pour leur caractère et adaptés au type de randonnée que nous proposons. Tous nos chevaux sont des «professionnels» de la randonnée: ils ne font que cette activité. Ils ne sont jamais enfermés en box, ils vivent toute l’année en troupeau, hors saison de novembre à mars en semi-liberté sur plus de 500 ha. Pour ces raisons, ils sont équilibrés, gentils et volontaires. Les chevaux sont attribués après discussion avec votre guide en fonction de votre taille, poids, niveau et expérience.
Our horses coming back from their winter field :
ACCOMMODATION: 
In simple but comfortable accommodation, in hotels and guesthouses, most with swimming pools and private bathrooms. In 2 to 3 person bedrooms, single bedrooms with supplement.
Progressive Inn to Inn trail rides rcan' guarantee the same level of comfort every night: one of the pleasures of traveling on horseback is the variety ! We have chosen the accommodations for their location on the route and for the quality of their welcome. More or less comfortable, you will always have a memory: a good meal, a particularly pleasant atmosphere, or an exceptional setting. The price is not justified by high comfort accommodation, but by the high logistical on an online horseback riding trip.
INDICATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS IN 2025 (subject to availability):
Night 1:
Les Seguins or: 
Les Gargoulettes
Night 2:
L'Aiguebelle
Night 3:
La Fontaine or: 
Le Petit Labouret
Night 4: Le Petit Labouret
Night 5:Les Gargoulettes
MEALS:
MEALS:
Breakfasts are traditional French breakfasts: hot drinks with bred, butter, marmelade, honey, cereals, fruit juice.
At noon, an assistant prepares hearty buffets (see photos). For small groups, some picnics can be taken in saddle bags.
Dinners at the host tables in the guesthouses, in local restaurants in the Camargue. Local cuisine, varied and refined.
Special diets can be adapted. Wine is included with meals.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS:
Provided by the assistant in a minibus.
2025 PRICE / PER PERSON:
In 2-3 person bedrooms: 1 800 €
Single bedroom supplement: 300 € *
* If you book in shared bedrooms and there is no one to share, the single bedroom supplement will be charged, refunded if a person wishing to share, subsequently registers.
Transfers from / to Aix center station, Aix tgv station, Marseille airport: free at fixed times.
Booking fees: 15 €
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Equipped horse, guide, assistant ensuring the preparation of the lunch buffets and the transport of luggage by minibus, full board accommodation from day 1 dinner until day 7 breakfast, drinks during meals (table water and wine), free transfer back to Lauris, free arrival transfer from Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence TGV or center train station at the fixed days & times, the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals and not included drinks (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks), any visits, personal expenses, tips, arrival and departure transfers from/to Marseille center, departure transfer to Aix-en-Provence center train station, transfers out of the fixed days & times, all that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
| Dates | From | Infos | Contact |
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| - | 1800€ | CONFIRMATION IN PROGRESS | Information request |
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Too bad we couldn't see each other again before returning to Carcassonne but we wanted to thank you for this magnificent week in Haute Provence. Nothing to say except that it was perfect, splendid weather and marvelous landscapes with nice willing horses and in great condition, without forgetting Magali, Pierrot and his daughter Violette who were guides and assitants as efficient as they were friendly. In addition the opportunity to get acquainted with four other charming riders. In short: nothing to regret except that this week passed so quickly but it makes you want to renew as soon as possible a ride with Cap rando
Thank you for everything, best regards
Patrick and Dominique