A two-week horseback trip to discover all aspects of Provence: 1 week on horseback from the Luberon to the Upper Provence, 1 weekend resting and visiting Aix en Provence, 1 week on horseback from the Luberon to the Camargue.
- Two weeks of horseback riding
- 1 week-end to visit Aix-en-Provence or to enjoy the pool, hammam, jacuzzi and rest in Lauris.
- All aspects of the Provence: the Upper Provence and the Camargue
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A Two week horseback riding trip to discover all the landscapes of Provence: A first week from the Luberon to the Upper-Provence, through Provence villages with the scents of Provence herbs while walking through thyme, sage , rosemary, wild lavender. A weekend of rest to visit the beautiful city of Aix en Provence. Then a second week from the Luberon to the Camargue, from the hills to the marshes and beaches of the Camargue. The end in the Camargue: you discover working on horseback with the bulls in a herd, and have a nice gallop on the beach!
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. Or free transfer from Marseille airport at 10:30 am, Aix TGV at 11 am, AIx center train station at 11:45 am. 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 3: 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 2 - Tuesday: 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 - Wednsday: 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 -Thursday: 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 - Friday: 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.
Days 6-7 -Saturday-Sunday: Take advantage of the week-end to visit Aix-en-Provence (transfer at 9:30 am) or stay in Lauris and rest enjoying the hammam, pool and jacuzzi. If you go to Aix: meeting Sunday at 5:45 pm at Aix center train station and transfer to Lauris
Day 8 - Monday: From Lauris to Mallemort. Transfer after breakfast from your accommodation 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 9 - Tuesday: 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 10 - Wednesday: 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 11 - Thursday: 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 by offering us an aperitif "the friendship glass". Picnic on the place, prepared by our assistant. 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 12 - Friday: 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 13 - Saturday: 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:
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 ariport).
* 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:
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: walk, trot, and canter when the terrain allows.
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 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 (subject to availability):
Night 1:
Les Seguins or: 
Les Gargoulettes
Night 2:
L'Aiguebelle
Night 3:
La Fontaine
Night 4:
Le Petit Labouret
Night 5:Les Gargoulettes
Night 6 (not included to book and pay directly): Free in Aix -en-Provence, we recommend:
Or:Les Gargoulettes
Nights 7 & 8: Les Gargoulettes
Night 9:
La Sarriette
Night 10:
Le Mas de Sylvéréal
Night 11:
Le Maset
Night 12: Les Gargoulettes
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: 3300 €
Single bedroom supplement: 660 € *
* 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 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, drinks during meals (table water and wine), free transfer back to Lauris at the end of the 2 riding trips, free transfers from/to Aix-en-Provence for the free week-end, 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, 1 night (days 6-7) in Aix-en-Provence or in Lauris and meals to book and pay direcly, 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