Provence Explorer Ride Provence France We are happy to offer several new itineraries in Provence this year. Ride along ancient Roman roads, into villages where the horses drink from the fountain and chat with the locals. Then canter through fields of lavender, gaze at the snow-topped Alps and the ink-blue Mediterranean at the same time! With the horses tethered nearby, we picnic on French bread, cheese and local wines - this is what our rides in Provence are all about. The rides begin at Mas de Recaute, located in the heart of Provence, in the Regional Natural Park of the Luberon and at the foot of the south side of the massif. From here we will take you through Luberon into the Upper Provence. From the Luberon to Upper Provence: From Luberon Nature Park to the foot of Mount Ventoux, discover the heart of Provence. A trail ride filled with the enchanting lights and scents between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Along the way, you will travel through ancient villages and along the fields of lavender. This ride deserves a special mention for the quality of the cuisine and lodging! Progressive Ride (no camping) Short Getaway Meeting: Mas de Recaute Airport: Marseille Transfer: Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence Train Station Riders: Min 5 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Rates Note:

** For 1 pax booking as willing to share: half single supplement rate will be applied if we don't have anybody to share with you

Transfer and Other Charges:

Arrival: Transfer from Marseille airport (5 p.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (5:30 p.m.) ou Aix-en-Provence central station (5:45 p.m.)

NOTE: PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST AN HOUR EARLIER TO THE TRAIN STATIONS THAN THE SET PICK UP TIMES TO ACCOUNT FOR ANY TRAIN DELAYS.

Departure: Drop off in Aix-en-Provence central station (10:15 a.m., Aix-en-Provence TGV station (10:30 a.m.) or Marseille airport (11:00 a.m.).

Day 4 Wednesday: Cereste – Simiane.
After a pause to discover the priory of Carluc dating from the XI century, you will ride towards Oppedette. Cross the superb village, typical of Haute-Provence, perched on the cliff. Opportunities for some great gallops on the way to Simiane. Overnight in a “chambre d’hotes” (bed and breakfast).

Day 5 Thursday: Simiane – Saint-Trinit.
Picnic under the chestnut trees, their leaves used to wrap the delicious goat cheese, a specialty from Banon, which you shall taste accompanied with a “Cote de Luberon” wine. Ride through fields of lavender and sage, before arriving at the “gîte”.

Day 6  Friday: Saint-Trinit – Le Contadour - Lauris.
The Lure Mountain. The morning ride is your introduction to the Alpine views of Haute-Provence. The change in the landscape is subtle and refreshing. From your horse, enjoy the sumptuous views over the Luberon Mountain Range and the Southern Alps, an area covered with Chestnut trees often used in local goat cheese recipes. Riders will appreciate their horses’ stamina and surefootedness as the horses climb to the Pas de Redortiers (alt. 3,800 feet). From there, appreciate a great view of the pre-Alps. The weather is cooler, the view outstanding and there is grass for your horse. You will ride along the ridges of the Lure Moutain and discover the “Jas” and “bories”, dry-stone constructions used by shepherds and travelers. You will end up the ride on the hillside of the Moutain, in Le Contadour where Jean Giono famous Provence writer used to live. Transfer to Mas de Recaute with minibus. Dinner and night at the Mas de Recaute.

Day 7 Saturday: Departure. Transfer to the airport and train station.

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Sample Itinerary - 3-day trip (Part 1)- Subject to changes

Day 1 Sunday: Arrival
Pick-up from Marseille Airport (5:00 PM), Aix-en-Provence TGV Station (5:30 PM), or Center Station (5:45 PM) and drive to Mas Recaute for overnight.

Day 2 Monday: Lauris - Buoux.
Following the foothills of the southern side of the Luberon mountain range, you will reach Lourmarin, a famous village where Albert Camus the French novelist once lived and where his body now lies. Picnic near to the village, before mounting the crests of the Luberon to discover a wonderful view: the peaks of the Alps to the north and the Mediterranean sea to the south. Night in a stoneauberge, lost in the heart of the Luberon.

Day 3 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 4 Wednesday: Cereste – Simiane-la-Rotonde.
After a pause to discover the priory of Carluc dating from the XI century, you will ride towards Oppedette. The ride will stop near Simiane la Rotonde, typical Provence village, perched on the cliff. Opportunities for some great gallops on the way to Simiane. Rides finishes around 6:00pm.

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Sample Itinerary - 3-day trip (Part 2)- Subject to changes

Day 1 Wednesday: Arrival
Meeting in Lauris at Mas de Recaute at 5 pm. Transfer to Simiane la Rotonde. Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

Day 2 Thursday: Simiane-la-Rotonde – Saint-Trinit.
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 “gîte”.

Day 3 Friday: Saint-Trinit – Le Contadour - Lauris.
The Lure Mountain. The morning ride is your introduction to the Alpine views of Haute Provence. The change in the landscape is subtle and refreshing. From your horse, enjoy the sumptuous views over the Luberon Mountain Range and the Southern Alps, an area covered with Chestnut trees often used in local goat cheese recipes. Riders will appreciate their horses’ stamina and surefootedness as horses climb to the Pas de Redortiers (alt. 3,800 feet). From there - appreciate a great view of the pre-Alps. The weather is cooler, the view outstanding and there is grass for your horse. You will ride along the ridges of the Lure Moutain and discover the “Jas” and “bories”, dry-stone constructions used by shepherds and travelers. You will end up the ride on the hillside of the Moutain, in Le Contadour where Jean Giono famous Provence writer used to leave. Minibus transfer to Mas de Recaute. End of the ride. Overnight at Mas de Recaute.

Day 4: Departure
Transfer to the airport or train station.

                                                Lourmarin area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	50	52	59	64	72	80	85	83	77	68	57	51
Average Low Temperature (°F)	32	33	37	42	49	56	61	60	54	48	39	33
Average High Temperature (°C)	10	11	15	18	22	26	29	29	25	20	14	11
Average Low Temperature (°C)	0	0	3	6	10	13	16	16	12	9	4	1
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	5	4	4	5	4	2	1	2	4	5	5	4

Source: NOAA
 

Seasons
Thanks to its position in the South of France, the Provence region enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. The region benefits from warm summers and mild winters.

Summer
The hot summer days are broken up by the evening sea breezes which provide a cooling break from heat and create an ideal atmosphere to enjoy what this alluring picturesque area has to offer. Along the coast, summers are hot, with scarce rain for a 3 month period in the midst of summer. However, when it rains – it pours and often the rain is associated with thunder. Sunshine is plentiful - up to 11/12 hours a day in summer and around 5 in midwinter.

Winter
Winters in the region are generally mild and sunny but this pleasant weather is often interrupted by very unsettled cold and squally weather brought in by the famous northerly ‘mistral’ wind. The mistral blows with particular strength through around Marseille and through the Rhône Valley.

 

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Jodhpurs or comfortable jeans (used if possible!)

Riding boots and mini chaps

Riding helmet

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Lightweight Waterproof

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Jacket

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and extra batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Average ratings from 5 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date yui wang 9/30/2018 anne simon 9/23/2013 lisa troutman 10/17/2009 pamela van horn-beagle 7/5/2009 joy paterson 5/9/2009

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so you will be staying in different locations during the trip. You will be staying in 5 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.

Room Options

Standard
Night 1 & 6: Le Mas de Recaute  https://www.masderecaute.fr/
    -Total of 5 rooms accommodating 1-3 people per room
    -1 dorm room accommodating 20 people
    -Double or single beds
    -Shared bathrooms
Night 2: Auberge des Seguins    www.aubergedesseguins.com
Night 3: La Florentine    www.laflorentine.fr or Hostellerie L'Aaiguebelle www.hotel-luberon-aiguebelle.com
Night 4: La Fontaine    www.gite-la-fontaine.com
Night 5: Le Petit Labouret    www.petit-labouret.com

Upgrade first and last night
Night 1 & 6: Les Gargoulettes www.chambres-hotes-vaucluse-gargoulettes.fr/
    -5 rooms total accommodating 1-2 people per room
    -Double or queen beds
    -Private bathrooms
    -Air conditioning, WIFI, TV, kettle
    -Pool, Jacuzzi, sauna

Please note that hotels and guesthouses are subject to change!

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: half single supplement rate will be applied if we don't find anyone to share.


Meals
Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations we stay in. 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 at lunch and dinner.

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

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

Tack:		Trail Saddles
Horses:		Spanish or barb mix
Pace:		Moderate - with walk, trot, canter and gallop, 5 riding hours per day | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 80
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 8 riders

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.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.