Provence Lavender

Introduction
Provence France
A Unique Trail in Provence - On the Road of Lavender

A trip itinerary rich in fragrance and color, from the South Luberon to Provencal areas famous for their production of lavender: Plateau of Claparèdes, Plateau of Albion, the Country of Banon, and the foothills of the Lure Mountain.
A perfumed trail ride among the lavender, but also sage, widely cultivated in the region. We will ride in the garrigue filled with herbs of Provence. This is a colorful horse riding trip: the white limestone cliffs of the Luberon, the greenery of the pine and oak forests, the ochres of the Provence Colorado, the blue of the sky and lavender... Varied landscapes from Mediterranean Provence to the upper Provence, as far as the foot of the Giant of Provence: the Mont Ventoux.

Please, note that the peak of the lavender bloom is around mid-July. Harvests generally start mid July. Later, this riding trip remains beautiful, but with less and less blooming lavender fields as the summer progresses.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so you will be staying in different locations during the trip. You will be staying in 4 different locations total.

Description
Accommodations during the trail will be in guesthouses and country inns. They are basic, but clean.  We select our accommodation according to its beautiful setting and friendly atmosphere, for riders to enjoy a pleasant stay. There are no laundry facilities while on trail. All accommodations have WIFI.

If you choose to sleep in dorms, you will spend 1 night in a large dormitory up to twenty people, three nights in 6-people dorms and 2 nights in shared bedrooms.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Auberge des Seguins in Buoux   
Night 2: Auberge de Rustreou or Le Chateau in Rustrel 
Night 3: Le Petit Labouret in Revest du Bion 
Night 4: Le Mas de Reilhanette in Reilhanette
Night 5: Les Gargoulettes in Lauris  

Auberge des Seguins in Buoux
This 16th-century stone house building offers a total of 27 rooms plus a dormitory that can host up to 20 people. The rooms are simple but comfortable and all come equipped with heating and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms can be private or shared depending on the room. There is a garden and an outdoor pool where guests can relax and enjoy the view. There is no cellphone coverage here.
Because of the limited number of rooms, in case this accommodation is not available, you will be transfered to Lauris instead.

Auberge de Rustreou in Rustrel
This old relay station dating back to the 18th century now offers 7 bedrooms equipped with a TV, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. Guests can also relax on the outdoor patio.

Gite Le Chateau in Rustrel
This beautiful 17th-century castle has recently been renovated to offer dormitory style bedrooms (2, 5 and 6 beds in each dormitory) with shared bathrooms. There is free Wi-Fi access in some parts of the Gite.

Le Petit Labouret in Revest du Bion
This guesthouse provides accommodation in private bedrooms featuring antique furniture and private bathrooms. There is a garden and an outdoor swimming pool where guest can relax and free Wi-Fi access is available anywhere on the property.

Le Mas de Reilhanette in Reilhanette
This charming stonewall farmhouse offers 5 recently renovated bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, air conditioning, a TV and free Wi-Fi access. There is a beautiful garden with some trees, providing the perfect environment to relax.

Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Your host welcome you in their lovely country house. Each room has its own theme and decor with air-conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and ensuite facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and a sauna that guests are welcome to use.


Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is available at most accommodations. If not available, we can book one double and a single without the supplement.
If traveling as a single rider willing to share and we don't find anyone to share, then the single supplement will apply.



Meals
All meals are included in your package and typical Provençal meals are on the menu.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations we stay in. It features hot drinks with bread, butter, jam and honey.
At lunch, our assistant will prepare a substantial buffet. A “pastis”, a glass of red wine, a barbecue by a mountain stream, a refreshing salad, a nap before leaving again : many small pleasures which will add to the enjoyment of our rides.
In the evening everyone meets around the table, to discover local food - or should we say "cuisine" - don't count on losing any weight.

Wine is included with lunch and dinner for the standard accommodations.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Riding Level
In order to make the most of the ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in outdoor riding.

Pace
This program includes 2/3/5 riding days depending on the option you choose. You will ride an average of 5 hours every day (about 2-3 hours in the morning and again 2-3 hours in the afternoon). The pace will vary according to the terrain.

Horses
Most of our horses are Barb and Spanish crosses. They have been trained for trail riding and are sure-footed. They live together as a herd, all year long.
During the ride, we advise you to take care of your horse, in order to get to know him better, and to create a special relationship with him.

Riding Group
Groups are made out of 5 to 8 riders. This limited amount of riders, often including several nationalities, allows each person to make the most of the trip.

Staff
Two members of staff will accompany you on your trip: 1 guide on horseback who speaks English and French and 1 person in charge of transporting luggage and setting up the lunch buffets.
Guides are certified, and friendly. They made a job out of their passion and enjoy sharing their passion with guests. Whether on the Alpes or on the beaches of Camargue, amongst odorant thym, rosmary and lavander, our guides are here to keep riders safe. All guides speak English.

Itinerary


Please, note that the peak of the lavender bloom is around mid-July. Harvests generally start mid July. Later, this riding trip remains beautiful, but with less and less blooming lavender fields as the summer progresses.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Monday): Lauris to Buoux
Meet in Lauris at 12 pm (noon). You will have an introduction to the trail ride and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to your horse and will start the trip through the Luberon rolling hills, towards the beautifull perched village of Bonnieux. Some superb residences dating back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th century serve as a reminder that Bonnieux was a wealthy village when this region, the Comtat Venaissin, belonged to the Popes. Several bishops also chose to live here and as you ride through the village streets you will no doubt marvel at the architecture and history on display. After crossing the picturesque village of Bonnieux, the trail goes down in the Valley of the Aiguebrun.
Overnight in a nice Auberge along the river. Depending on the date, exceptionally, you may be transfered to Lauris for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Auberge in Buoux

Day 2 (Tuesday): Buoux to Rustrel
This morning you are riding up on the Plateau of Claparèdes, follow lavender fields, dry stone walls and " bories " (small shepherds' pen). You will ride down towards the Valley of Apt on ancient paved trails. After lunch, you will ride down to the "Colorado Provençal" old ocher mines. You will visit on horseback this exceptional site before leaving your horse and reach your hotel in the village of Rustrel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Auberge in Rustrel

Day 3 (Wednesday): Rustrel to 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. We leave the Luberon narural park end enter in the Ventoux natural park, riding among the lavender and sage fields with a break at a distillery where your guide will explain the production of basis for the perfume manufactures.
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 and visit the lavender distillery.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse near Revest du Bion

Day 4 (Thursday): Revest du Bion to 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.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Reilhanette

Day 5 (Friday): Montbrun-les-Bains to Mévouillon
This morning, you will follow the foot of the Giant of Provence: the Mount Ventoux. We follow the Toulourenc, a pleasant refreshing stream, cross some typical villages, and enter the Drôme Provencale (wooded hills and lavender fields). In the afternoon, we head to Mévouillon, where the truck and minibus await us, for the transfer back to Lauris.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris  

Day 6 (Saturday): Departure
End of the trip after breakfast. Transfers to Aix-en-Provence train stations and Marseille airport.
Meals included: Breakfast




Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

Rates and Dates for Provence Lavender

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Lauris
Airport: Marseille
Transfer: Marseille

Climate:
                                                Lourmarin area