France, Provence - Luberon and Lavender
The Provence lavender Inn to Inn trail ride ... a fragrant and colored equestrian trip across the Provence, from the south Luberon natural park to the highlights of lavender cultivation in Provence: Plateau Claparèdes north of Grand Luberon, Plateau d'Albion, the country of Banon and Sault: the lavender capital. A fragrances horseback trail ride in Provence herbs, lavender, sage ... A colored ride: the white limestone cliffs of the Luberon, the green of the "garrigue", pine and oak forests, the ocher of the Colorado Provençal, the blue sky and lavender. Breathtaking scenery from the Lower to the Upper Provence at the foot of the Giant of Provence: the Mont Ventoux.
Please only bring one piece of luggage maximum 15 kg that will be transported where you ride. If you bring several pieces, please inform us.
The peak of the lavender bloom is before July 15th ! Harvests generally start mid July. Later, this riding trip remains superb, but with less and less blooming lavender fields as the summer progresses.
The information on this page is for this ride specifically. Click here for more information >>.
The Program
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 TGV train station at 11:00 am on Monday (bus shuttle from Aix center). Recommended hotels: Hotel Cardinal ** - Hotel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hotel Mercure Paul Cezanne *** (not included)
Day 1 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 - Rustrel.
This morning you are riding up on the Plateau of Claparèdes, follow lavender fields, dry stone walls and " bories " (small shepherds' pen). This morning you are riding up on the Plateau of Claparèdes, follow lavender fields, dry stone walls and "bories" (small shepherds' pen). You will cross the cute perched village of Saignon where horses will be able to dring at the fountain in the center of the village. You will then ride down towards the Valley of Apt on ancient paved trails. After lunch, you will ride down in the valley and in ochres before reaching Rustrel. You will leave your horse in a field before going to your accommodation in the center of the village.
Day 3 Rustrel - Revest-du-Bion.
You quietly get into a valley shaded by oak trees, onto the Albion Plateau, high spot for lavender. Picnic near a chapel before browsing the plateau, former nuclear missiles site for the French nuclear force from 1971 to 1996. Ride among the lavender and sage fields. Arrival at the guesthouse where you can relax and take a swim in the pool before visiting the village of Sault, lavender capital, do some shopping, or visit a lavender distillery.
Day 4 Revest-du-Bion - Montbrun-les-Bains.
This morning, you will ride in direction of Saint-Trinit. The lunch will wait for you in the shade near Sault. In the afternoon, you will leave in the direction of Aurel, charming medieval village at the foot of the Mount Ventoux. In the afternoon, the colors of lavenders, fields of cereal and the shadows of the Mount Ventoux may tempt you to imitate the numerous painters who felt in love with this region. You will arrive the afternoon near Montbrun-les-Bains, surrounded with green hills and dominating a plain of perfumed lavenders: one of the most beautiful villages of France.
Day 5 Montbrun les Bains - Mevouillon.
This morning, the ride passes at the foot of the Giant of Provence: Mont Ventoux. We follow the Toulourenc, a pleasant refreshing stream, cross some typical villages, and enter the Drôme Provencale: an alternation of wooded hills and lavender fields. In the afternoon, we head to Mévouillon, where the truck and minibus await us, for the horse and rider transfer back to Lauris, in the Luberon.
Day 6
After breakfast, transfer to Aix-en-Provence train station or Marseille airport.
You will ride 5-6 hours of day.
We reserve the right to make any changes to riding program, including the cancellation or changing of hotels.
The program is subject to change due to local circumstances beyond our control.