France, Provence - Luberon & Colorado Provencale
The Luberon hills, one of the most exquisite place in Provence, a Regional Nature Park. With its forest of green and white oaks, its cliffs of limestone, and its typical drystone villages, the Luberon displays an authentic and picturesque landscape well described in the famous A Year in Provence Peter Mayles ’ novel. Over the hills and through the villages, come to discover the mysterious “Provence Colorado”, fill up your senses with the fragrance of lavender and unique “Provence herbs”, be enchanted by the savour of Provencal cuisine. In the evenings, Didier has chosen charming guesthouses, many of them with a swimming pool, where you can dine and enjoy your evening.
The information on this page is for this ride specifically. Click here more information >>.
The Program
Apart from the first day you will ride about 4-6 hours per day. It is important that you can control a horse in walk, trot and gallop.
Day 1 Lauris - Buoux
Arrival at the Equestrian Center at lunchtime. You will receive information about the week's ride and have lunch. You will then meet your horse and you begin then ride west through the rolling hills of Luberon towards the beautiful village of Bonnieux. The houses are all made of stone and are in perfect harmony with earth-colored tones and shapes of the landscape. Many houses are from the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries and are reminders that Bonnieux was once a very wealthy village when the region of Comtat Venaissin belonged to the Pope. You can also see Lacoste, the village where the Marquis de Sade had his residence. After the picturesque village of Bonnieux, you continue the ride down into the "Valley of Aigebrun River”. You will stay overnight at a guesthouse on the river.
Day 2 Buoux - Rustrel
The ride crosses the rolling mountains covered with pine trees to the Calavon Valley. Your assistant will meet you for a good picnic lunch in the pine forest. The ride then continues towards Rustrel through a lush river bed. You will spend the night in a hotel in Rustrel and the horses will stay near the village.
Day 3 Rustrel - Cereste
Rustrel is the gateway to Provence Colorado. You will ride along the stunning red-colored cliffs and rock formations. A really fascinating and colorful morning ride! The ride then returns to the foot of the Luberon Mountains and on to the beautiful village of Viens. Then down to Calavon river. You will spend the night in a guesthouse or hotel in Cereste.
Day 4 Cereste - Buoux. After breakfast, chance to have a tour at the local street market. After preparing your horse, you will follow the foot of the Luberon, ride along vineyards, and all kind of froot trees: cherry, apricot, peaches all blooming in April and May. You will arrive at the Auberge des Seguins where you will able to enjoy the pool befor dinner (transfer to the riding centre at some dates).
Day 5 Saignon - Lauris. You will ride up to the crests of the Luberon to discover an exceptional landscape on all the Provence and a view on the Alps to the North, on the Mediterranean to the South. Then, you will ride down to Lourmarin. Picnic and visit the village and its 12th century castle, a charming Provencal village that inspired the famous English writer, Peter Mayle, who is now living near the village. You will then ride back to the riding centre through the olive trees and cherry orchards, with nice views on the Sainte Victoire mountain, “Cezanne’s mountain”. Dinner and overnight at the riding centre or in a nearby hotel.
Day 6
After breakfast, transfer to Aix-en-Provence train station or Marseille airport.
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.
Travel Information
The following information applies specifically to this ride.
Accommodation: On the last night you stay in simple lodgings at the equestrian center. Other nights you will stay in double or triple rooms at guesthouses and country hotels.
Travel:
1. If you are flying: pickup Monday at Marseille airport at 10.30am. Drop off Saturday, Marseille airport at 11:00am.
2. You can also take the train to Avignon and Marseille. After the train, take the bus to Lauris. In Lauris, you will be picked up by minibus and driven to the equestrian centre.
You can also order the transfer from Aix-en-Provence TGV station Monday at 11.00 am or 11.15am at the SNCF Train Station. If you would like to order a transfer, you may do so through HorseXplore.
We reserve the right to make schedule changes.