Horseback Riding in France
THE SOUL OF PROVENCE |
Provence is renowned for its natural beauty and the happy way its architecture blends with nature. It is an area which Van Gogh and Cezanne loved to paint. The landscape is full of flowers in the spring and golden fields of grain in the fall. You will ride through olive and almond groves, wild flowers, lavender and thyme. Ancient walled villages perch on hilltops. Historical remains date back to times long before the Romans.
This ride is totally in beautiful country and very little time was spent on paved roads. The gallops and long canters were exciting and something that I personally don't have the opportunity to do at home in San Francisco.
- Dennis Fluet
Christian was a wonderful guide - very flexible and willing to shape our tour to our group. We wanted to ride by the light of the full moon, and he adjusted our itinerary so we could! Our horses were not fancy, but sturdy, sound, well-fed and good a their jobs. Our meals were good country fare, always comfortable surroundings with lots of good conversation. We particularly enjoyed sampling several delicious goat cheeses of varying ages at one of the farmhouses and then visiting the goat herd the next morning! The weather couldn't have been more perfect during our journey, or the lavender fields more stunning. The views of the Alps from the ridge that we rode along in the Luberon were spectacular.
- Carmin Reiss June 2007
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met at Avignon railway station or airport and transferred to Apt for dinner and overnight, or if driving, meet at the lodging in the late afternoon.
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| Day 2: | A short transfer to the stable, then get to know your horse while riding through the Calavon valley, discovering medieval hilltop villages. In the afternoon ride on to the ancient village of Viens for dinner and overnight nearby.
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| Day 3: | Crossing the hills known as "Colorado Provencal", named for the unusual ochre colored rock formations, climb to about 3,300 feet where you will have wonderful views of the Apt valley. After long canters through lavender fields in the Sault valley you will reach St. Trinit for dinner and overnight in a local farmhouse.
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| Day 4: | Today ride along the sides of "Giant de Provence", le Mont Ventoux, with amazing rocky landscapes of the Dròme and long canters in the forests, returning in the afternoon to the farmhouse in St. Trinit.
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| Day 5: | Ride across the crests of the Montagne de Lure at about 3,500 feet, where in good weather there are wonderful views of the Alps snowy peaks to the north, and the Mediterranean to the south. Overnight in a Dròme farmhouse with a superb panoramic view.
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| Day 6: | Meander over hills and valleys along shepherds' paths and traces of old Roman roads to the dramatic Montagne de Lure, the Giono heartland. The hills offer riders their upland pastures for good canters. Overnight in Banon.
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| Day 7: | Leaving the haute Provence, ride this final day to the Calavon 'gorges', returning again to the welcoming Lubéron mountains for one last, long canter, then crossing the river to the end of your journey. Overnight and a final dinner at the auberge in Apt.
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| Day 8: | Departure after breakfast to Avignon railway station or airport. Departure time depends on train or flight schedules.
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| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Avignon |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 6 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-6 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Spanish, Arab and Barb |
| Weight Limit | 190 lbs |
| 2009 Dates | May 9-16, May 23-30, June 6-13, June 20-27, *July 4-11, *July 18-25, Sept 5-12, Oct 3-10
*Lavender season with minimum of 3 riders required |
| 2009 Price | $2,130
*$3,110 Lavender season weeks |
| Single Supplement | $335, $555 Lavender season weeks |
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