A horseback trip through the Provence and three natural parks: the Luberon, the Alpilles, the Camargue !
- Our most popular riding trip
- An online trip to discover a wide variety of landscapes
- Three natural parks: Luberon, Alpilles and Camargue
- Landscapes painted by Van Gogh
- Work with bulls accompanied by a local cowboy
- Gallop on the beach
- Free transfers from / to Aix-en-Provence TGV train station and Marseille airport
- Our German agency has ranked this trip as one of their best, based on their client reviews !
43.763790707751, 4.9553991
Horseback riding trip in Provence that will take you from the Luberon hills in the heart of Provence, across the Alpilles painted by Van Gogh, to the Mediterranean sea in the famous Camargue: the land of flamingoes, black bulls and white horses. A unique human and equestrian experience, a trip rich in history and culture, a week trail ride full of excitment as you will gallop on the long beautiful sand beaches of the Mediterranean coast. The variety of landscapes is the highlight of this unique horseback trip through the Provence and three natural parks. Participation on horseback in the work with Camargue bull with a local cowboy. Great final gallops on the Camargue beach. This trail ride is our most popular horse riding trip in Provence !
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *::
Day 1: Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence tgv train station (5:30 pm). Or meeting directly at the accomodation in Lauris at 7 pm. Welcome aperitif and presentation of the trail ride at 7:30 pm. You will be introduced to your guide and spend a first friendly dinner at he «host’s table». Overnight at Les Gargoulettes guesthouse.
Day 2: From Lauris to Mallemort. Transfer after breakfast to meet the horses, preparation and departure from the southern foot of the Luberon, its pine forests, its cliff landscapes, along orchards, olive groves and vineyards to the Durance river which we follow by pleasant trails, and cross (on a bridge in the event of a flooding river) before a pleasant shaded picnic 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 back to your accommodation, in Lauris, dinner at the Gargoulettes guesthouse in Lauris and overnight.
Day 3: From Mallemort to Eygalieres. After breakfast, transfer to the horses. We will ride in a rich valley among fruit trees to Lamanon where we will enjoy the lunch buffet, The afternoon, we will enter in the Alpilles Nature Park, Van Gogh’s country. We will ride in hiils and we will reach the Roman village of Eygalières late in the afternoon. 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. The afternoon ride will take you on the crests of the Alpilles: striking panorama on the surrounding area. At the end of the trail, we load the horses in the truck for a transfer to Camargue. You then have the choice between visiting the Baux de Provence medieval village. 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.
Day 5: Astouin - Bull cattle drive - Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. On horseback to a Camargue ranch. After an hour on horseback in the heart of the Camargue, we will arrive at a "manade", a bull and horse ranch in Camargue. Mathieu, a passionate "guardian", Camargue cow-boy, welcomes us in front of the enclosure of one of his bull herds. We accompany him on horseback to "grab" the bulls, that is to say push them through the marsh to a sorting enclosure. Then he tells us about the "Camargue bull and horse races", the breeding methods, the traditions linked to the Camargue bulls, then he sorts a few bulls in front of us and ends his performance. Picnic on the place, prepared by our assistant. Then we leave on horseback to the ranch where our horses will stay tonight. Transfrer to the hotel in Saintes-Maries-de--la-Mer. After your installation at the hotel, you can go for a walk in the the village streets and do some shopping, take a stroll to the beach, or enjoy the hotel swimming pool. Meeting for dinner in a lively bodega in the village. Night at the hotel.
Day 6: A morning ride on the beaches. Nice gallops and walk in the sea. The lunch will be prepared unde a laupio (traditional traditional shelter in Camargue) by your assistant, and the afternoon we 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. At 9:30 am: departure of the free transfer to Aix-en-Provence TGV station and Marseille airport .
* Indicative itinerary: may be subject to modifications without any compensation if necessary (weather, floods, fire risks, imponderables ...).
MEETING:
Sunday afternoon at your accommodation in Lauris between 4pm and 7pm. Free transfer from Marseille airport (5 pm), Aix en Provence TGV station (5:30 pm). No transfer from Marseille center: take the bus shuttle to the airport. No transfer from Aix en Provence center: take the bus shuttle to Aix tgv station.
* 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 Aix tgv shuttle bus), nor to Marseille center station (take the airport shuttle bus).
* 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, it is imperative to be comfortable riding at the three paces (walk, trot, gallop) outdoors on balanced horses. This ride requires a very good equestrian level, with gaits that can be fast on the Camargue beaches. Maximum weight: 90Kg. Wearing a helmet is mandatory.
RYTHM:
5 hours a day on horseback on average: 2-3 hours in the morning, 2-3 hours in the afternoon, with a long break of around 2 hours at noon. You will ride the three paces: mostly walk, trot and canter when the terrain allows. Nice canter on the Camargue beach.
GROUP SIZE:
4 to 7 riders + 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:
Varied local crossings, of medium size, selected for their character and adapted to the type of rides we offer. All our horses are trail riding "professionals": they only do this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live in herds all year round, out of season from November to March: in semi-freedom on more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are balanced, kind and willful. Horses are allocated after discussion with your guide, according to your height, weight, level and experience.
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: 
In simple guesthouses and hotels (equivalent 2 * French standard). All nights in shared 2-3 person bedrooms (triple may be 1 double bed + 1 single bed some nights) or single bedrooms with supplement. Most bedrooms are ensuite: 1 night can not have enough ensuite bedrooms for all guests.
Inn to Inn trips cannot guarantee the same level of comfort every night: one of the pleasures of a horseback riding trip is the variety ! We chose the accommodations for their location on the itinerary and for the quality of their welcome. With varying degrees of comfort, you will always have a memory: a good meal, a particularly pleasant atmosphere, or an exceptional setting. The price is not justified by luxury accommodation, but by the high logistical costs on an online horse riding trip.
INDICATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS (may change depending on availabilities):
Nights 1, 2 et 6 :
Les Gargoulettes
Night 3:
La Sarriette
Night 4:
Le Mas de Sylvéréal
Night 5:
MEALS:
Breakfasts in the guesthouses are traditional French breakfasts: hot drinks with bred, butter, marmelade, honey, cereals, fruit juice (no cheese, eggs, ...). More complete breakfasts in the Camargue hotels.
At noon, an assistant prepares hearty buffets (see photos).
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: 1 900 €
100 € discount to be deducted by registering before November 30, 2024
Single bedroom supplement: 360 € *
* 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 tgv station, Marseille airport: free at the 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), the bull activity with a local cowboy in Camargue, free transfer of horses and riders from Les Baux de Provence to the Camargue and return at the end of the ride to the starting point (online horse trip), free arrival transfer from Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence TGV 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, arrival and departure transfers from/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 - See information
THIS RIDING TRIP BEING VERY POPULAR: IT IS BETTER TO REGISTER EARLY !
CONFIRMATION IN PROGRESS = WE ALREADY HAVE BOOKING(S) BUT NOT 4 TO GUARANTY THE DEPARTURE YET
100 € discount to be deducted by registering before November 30, 2024
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WEATHER:
The Provence is the sunniest part of France with more than 300 sunny days !
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.
Source: https://fr.climate-data.org/europe/france/provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/aix-en-provence-358/
We had a very warm welcome at the airport and at our first accommodation in Lauris by our hosts and our guides Magali and Marie.
Our guide Magali took safety of us riders and horses very seriously and was very clear on how to deal in different situations. Even passing through and riding in heavy traffic felt safe with her guidance.
My horse Sentenza was the best trekking horse one could wish for! He was surefooted and calm in every situation, still willing and forward going. Absolutely wonderful!
Magali and Marie checked the horses at each break and at the end of the day. We were very well instructed what was expected of us in terms of caring for our own horse. They always had time to help, if needed.
Each place that we stayed at were very unique and we were in for a surprise every night! I really enjoyed the decor! Not to to mention that the rooms were spotless and the owners/staff were welcoming and super friendly.
This was one of the best riding holidays so far, and I have been on many in different countries in North America and Europe. I totally recommend this holiday. The guides, the people we met at our accommodations, the horses, the varied landscape, everything was Tres Magnifique!
Dearest Didier and Team,
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the fantastic week we had.
It was lovely to see your horses are still exceptionally well looked after and happy in their work.
The hotels and guest houses were perfect too
I might be able to visit again for the shorter rides and will always choose you and your company over others.
The guides Christina and Marie were a pleasure to be with and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable
Many thanks for all the lovely memories
Take care, much love
Rachael Messom
Very successful horseback riding trip with an excellent guide, great horses, friendly riders, beautiful scenery and perfect weather.
Superb horses of different breeds, kept in a group, balanced and motivated. Horse riding knowledge and preferences were asked beforehand, so everyone was able to find the horse that suited them.
Very good program. Every day of riding was different, no day was boring. River crossing, magnificent views and beautiful gallops. Very varied landscapes, magnificent views and most of the time accompanied by the scent of different herbs. The horse riding part in Camargue with the bulls and on the beach were also a great experience.
Accommodation: mostly good, often with swimming pool. Food: good and plentiful, always trouble free with an option for vegetarians.
Wow beautiful, safe and lovely horse. I loved him !
Me and my mom had a wonderful, beautiful, stunning trip.
Chrisitina is super nice and such a special loving person. My favorite experience was with the bulls, that was super cool !
I truly recommend this trip.
My favorite experience was with the bulls, it was super cool!
Christina, who was our guide: the most amazing and sweetest professional, she chose the perfect horse for me: Danube. I felt very safe and comfortable with him.
All the equipment was very good, the saddle was very comfortable.
I loved all the accommodations, they were all very clean, comfortable and stunning.
This was my fifth horseback riding trip abroad and it exceeded my expectations.
The horses were great, the trails beautiful, the accommodations and food were excellent.
My daughter Talia and I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and are looking forward to another destination with Cap Rando next year.
And a big thank you to our guide Christina who made this trip perfect, Christina was exceptional in every way!!!
Hi Didier,
We had the best time ever ! We met today for the first time since getting back (we did make it home by Sunday evening!) and we just kept talking about the whole week and how wonderful it all was !
Flora was such an awesome, inspiring leader. My skill set and confidence improved. Pierrot (happily?) tolerated all our singing in the car. He was great, tool The scenery, everything, could not have been better !
Every day was different, with even more eye-opening sites than the day before. The group cohesiveness was immediate making the trip even more fun. We felt well taken care of by Flora and Pierrot.
All horses are in great shape; proper tacking displayed with consistent, friendly checks by our guide. Happy to prepare the horses for the day with their care and tacking as well as at the end of the day.
Very helpful registration process with Didier guiding us along the way. Coming from the USA, Didier was quite helpful (and patient!) with the registration/payment process/contract, etc.
The ride was spectacular. The villages we visited along with the beautiful countryside were just wonderful to experience. (Flora also gave interesting historical references.) It was fun. Accommodations were fine. Private Inns had friendly welcoming staff and the hotels were fine as well. Pool in St. Maries de la Mer - especially nice to experience after a day's ride. And, the short walk into town. Food was awesome. Spirit, my horse, will always be with me !
I will never forget this trip, nor the people I met. It truly went beyond my expectations.
Thank you, hundred times over !
Warmest regards,
Cindy
Hey,
We just this minute finished the ride. It was amazing ! We had a wonderful time and loved our guide, Orane. She’s a gem. Loved our ride mates, too—all fast friends now. We’ll be happy to post a glowing review wherever you want us to.
Thank you for being patient with us over three years in booking this ride—and counseling is along the way. It was the most memorable vacation ever.
Thanks for reaching out !
It was perfect, we couldn't do better. Very well received, people of extra kindness, I spent one of the most beautiful weeks of my life !
My horse, Thunderson: I loved him. Very, very sure footed, voluntary and very well in his head. A very good mix of energy and coolness. Very comfortable touring saddle.
Idilly accommodation, very comfortable beds, attention to detail. Owl ! I was sleeping like a baby.
I'll be back ! I can't wait to experience a ride with Cap Rando.
Cap Rando services: Didier at the top!
I really have nothing to say for improvement. The stay exceeded my imaginations. Thank you
Return from an extraordinary week and a total change of scenery riding from the Luberon to the Camargue marshes via the Alpilles. A new approach to the horse, learning to team up with him and trust him to cover the different terrains and the kilometers 🤩😍🐴 Thanks to Orane for guiding us in this adventure and to Cap rando for the organization 🤩
A brilliant riding trip in Provence to the Camargue with Orane, our guide, and Pierrot, his assistant. I can only highly recommend ! Thank you Orane for getting back into the saddle to the top, Pierrot for the incredible picnics and assistance, and we look forward to riding with you again !
"Our trip was FANTASTIC!!
The guides, Pierrot and Didier, were very pleasant company, we were well taken care of. The picnics were always varied and plentiful, and during the ride there was absolutely everything we wanted. The trip went as we had hoped in advance, we are so happy to have done this trip on horseback. Can you give our sincere compliments to the organizer ? I can hardly express how much we enjoyed this week on horseback !"
« We just returned this week from a 5 day horse riding trip in France.
Have to say it was one of the most beautiful and fun trips we did as a family.
The Landscape, service, organization : Everything was perfect ! »
« I rode a lovely little horse called Carmen who was such a professional and gave me safe uncomplicated five days on the trail.The variety of the scenery from the Alpilles looking over to Les Baux in the evening sunshine to the uniqueness of the Camargue,,actually wading through the marshes is reason enough to go on this holiday. Plenty of forest trails,the rocky garrigue,fascinating apple orchards and flat marshland meant that there was so much to see. We had some really good gallops especially on the beach where the hard working horses found a speedy fifth gear. The hotels in the Camargue were fine, the chambres d'hotes were simple but all clean with comfy beds and more importantly a very high standard of food and hospitality. Great evening meals and good wine. Professional guide and backup driver, Didier and Pierrot. Made the week enjoyable,safe and fun. My dietary requests were met without fuss which was much appreciated. »
«Just wanted to send a huge thank you from myself and Nicky to Didier, Isabelle and Pierro for a fabulous weeks riding despite some unpleasant riders. We had a terrific time - enjoyed our horses and the wonderful and varied landscapes. The sunshine was rather lovely too. As the least experienced rider in the group I felt safe but challenged - which is just the way I like it.
The gourmet picnics were way above expectations- in the uk you get a bag of crisps and a sandwich! A little glass of rosé certainly helped with the afternoon rides. We also enjoyed the cooking at the chambres d’hôtes. Will certainly recommend you to my riding mates in the UK - If we wanted to make a private group what would be the minimum number?
So please pass on our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the team. Alice »
“Hello, We are returning with my wife from the “Luberon / Camargue” trail ride, nothing but happiness: very good management team: equestrian guide Didier Méjard with his sidekick Pierrot for assistance. And, and great real trail ride horses, as we like them: calm but present at the slightest request. Thank you all"
« "Absolutely wonderful in every way!" We rode for many hours each day through varied and beautiful countryside, mountains, marshlands and beach. Due to the trails and hills on the first few days, there is more walking than at the beach, however, we still found many places to trot and canter. I was never bored and enjoyed every minute of the riding. I am extremely fit, but I would say that due to the heat, the riding still required a fair amount of stamina. »
« "Magic Luberon and Camargue" Fantastic horses, surefooted in the mountains and across rivers and fantastic canters on the beaches. »
« "Transcendent!" I really appreciated how well cared for the horses were throughout our trip. The riding was perfect and met my expectations - exceeded them! There was the perfect mix of safety, adventure and I appreciated the fact that my horse was good "going forward" – an exciting but safe ride. »