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Provence Lavender Road
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. At the end of the third day, you will leave the scented lavender country to discover the historical forest surrounding Peyruis and its two chapels, “Sainte Magdeleine” and “Saint Donat”. The ride will end on the Plateau of Ganagobie and the charming village of Lurs, dominating the Country of Forcalquier and the Durance Valley, the gateway to the Plateau of Valensole, another important place for lavender, to be discovered next time!
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Progressive Ride (no camping)
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Meeting:
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Mas de Recaute
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Airport:
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Marseille
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Transfer:
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Marseille
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Riders:
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Min
5 riders
Max
10 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
6 nights accommodations in guesthouses and inns with private bathrooms, meals, 5 riding days
| A | 2012 | 7 day trip, AP Lavender Road | 7d / 6n | €1250 | $1675 |
| Single supplement | €250 | $335 |
| Non Rider rate | €650 | $875 |
Group Leader: 50% OFF with group of 6+. FREE with group of 10.
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence Train Station included at set times
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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.)
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.).
Rates do not include:
Beverages outside of mealtimes, gratuities
HTML clipboard
Lavender Road and
Wine Trail Route
Lavender Road
Day 1: Transfer to Mas de
Recaute in the afternoon. Meet your guide and assistant who will tell you
about the ride around a welcome drink.
Day 2: Lauris – Buoux. The ride
starts on the southern side of the small Luberon. A small rocky trail will
take you up on the hills of the Luberon. Nice view on the Monts Ventoux (localy
called “the giant of Provence”) and the Lure Mountain. A dense green oak
forest will then guide you towards the Plateau of Claparèdes, famous for its
production of lavender. Lunch in the hills. On the afternoon, you will ride
down to the Aiguebrun Gorges, the border between Small Luberon and Big
Luberon.
Day 3: Buoux – Simiane la
Rotonde. This morning you are riding back up on the Plateau of Claparèdes
and follow lavender fields and dry stone walls and « bories » (small
shepherds’ pen). You will stop in the perched village of Saignon to water
the horses at the fountain. Ride down towards the Valley of Apt on ancient
paved trails. After lunch you will follow a forest trail above the ochres of
Rustrel and Gignac, before climbing the Vaucluse Mounds, across a dense
forest of white oaks. Beautiful view on the perched village of Simiane la
Rotonde and its fields of lavender. Dinner and night in a guesthouse.
Day 4: Simiane la Rotonde –
Montlaux. A long ride today ! From Simiane, you will head north to the
border of the Plateau of Albion, a high spot for lavender. You will ride by
the ruins of the village of Monsallier, onto Banon, famous for its
production of goat cheese. Hills of oak trees will then take you near St
Etienne les Orgues, on the foothill of the Lure Mountain. Dinner and night
in a guesthouse, looking onto a nice lavender field.
Day 5: Montlaux – Peyruis. This
morning you will visit a distillery of lavender. You will then get your
horse ready for a short morning ride to Cruis and Malefougasse. Nice canters
after lunch. Discover the chapel “Sainte Magdeleine”, before making your way
towards Peyruis and the Durance Valley. Before arriving to the guesthouse,
you will stop by the chapel “Saint Donat”, a jewel of romanesque art. From
the horses paddock you will admire strange rock formations and discover the
legend of the “pénitants des Mées”…
Day 6: Peyruis – Lurs. This
morning, you are riding in the forest of Ganagobie, a fragrant Mediterranean
forest which will take you up on the mystical plateau of Ganagobie. Lunch on
the plateau close to the priory, founded in the 12th century. On the
afternoon, small forest trails will take you to the historical path called
“the bishops’walk”, over-looking the beautiful village of Lurs as well as
the whole country of Forcalquier. Minibus transfer back to Lauris.
Day 7: End of the ride after breakfast. Transfer to airport or train
station.
Wine Trail Route
Day 1: Transfer to Mas de Recaute in the afternoon. Meet your guide and
assistant who will tell you about the ride around a welcome drink.
Day 2 : Lauris – Merindol. You
will follow the vines, sheltered by the southern side of the Luberon. On the
way, a wine tasting visit in a “Cave de Vins”. Picnic in a pine grove: a
copious buffet prepared by our assistant. In the evening, dinner and night
spent in an auberge, or return to the “Mas de Recaute” in the minibus (on
certain dates). A pleasant meal accompanied by a “Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence”.
Day 3 : Merindol – Maubec. Ride through pine forests with wonderful
views of the Durance valley with orchards, whose fruit you will taste at the
picnic. In the afternoon, landscapes of cliffs where eagles and other birds
of prey nest. Arrive at Maubec at Collette’s place. The choice is yours: a
dip in the swimming pool, or a visit to Gordes and the Sénanque abbey.
Dinner prepared by Colette, accompanied with her home produced wine.
Day 4 : Maubec – Venasque. Today, you enter into the “Côtes de
Ventoux” producing area, via the Vaucluse mounts. You will reach the “mur du
peste” a wall constructed in 1720 to protect the populations from the great
epidemic that spread from Marseille. Night at Vénasque a historical village.
Day 5 :
Venasque – Bedoin. Countryside of
rolling hills, through pine forests and cherry trees, facing the “Mont
Ventoux” called the "Giant of Provence". In the late afternoon, you will
arrive at the inn where you will have an other good dinner.
Day 6 : Bedoin – Beaumes-de-Venise. Cross through villages, with the
“Mont Ventoux” in the background. Picnic near the Barroux village and
chateau. In the afternoon you will discover the “Dentelles de Montmirail”,
needle thin spikes and ridges (“dentelle” means lace). You will end at
Beaumes-de-Venise, famous for it's red wine and aperitive. Transfer back to
Lauris.
Day 7: End of the ride after breakfast. Transfer to airport or train
station.
Meeting:
Mas de Recaute
Airport:
Marseille
Train station:
Aix-en-Provence
Transfer:
Marseille
Distance:
45 miles
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.)
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.).
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Tack:
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Trail Saddles
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Horses:
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Arab/Spanish cross
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Pace:
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Moderate - with walk, trot and canters, 5 riding hours per day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
12
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Max
80
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
5 riders
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Max
10 riders
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You will ride an average of five
hours everyday. The pace will vary according to the terrain. In order to make the most of the
ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in
outdoor riding. Groups are made out of 5 to 12 riders. This limited
amount of riders – often rich of several nationalities – allows each
person to make the most of the trip.
Guides are certified, and are friends
who made a job of their passion. They apply themselves to share this
passion and the pleasure of trail riding. Whether on the Alpes or on
the beaches of Camargue, amongst odorant thym, rosmary and lavander,
our guides insure riders safety in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
All the guides speak English.
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.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 NoteFranc. more
A Mediterranean climate is witnessed
in the Rhône valley south of Valence and the coastal areas of Languedoc
and Provence at the foot of the southern Alps. The glamour, class and fame of this region is accompanied by a glorious
typical climate of warm summers and mild winters. The hottest
summer days are broken up by the evening sea breezes which waft over
the cities and provide a cooling break from the heat and creating an ideal
atmosphere to enjoy what this alluring picturesque region 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
associated with thunder. Sunshine is plentiful - up to eleven to twelve
hours a day in summer and around five in midwinter. 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 |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Accommodations during the trail will be in guesthouses
and country inns. They are basic, but clean and with character and charm. We select our
accommodations according to the beautiful settings and friendly
atmosphere and ambiance for riders to enjoy a most pleasant and authentic stay.
For lunch, the
assistant will prepare a substantial buffet. A “pastis”, a glass of red
wine, a barbecue by a mountain stream, a refreshing salad, and then have a quick nap before
leaving again! The many small pleasures which will add to the enjoyment of
our rides. In the evening everyone meets
around the table to discover the delicious local foods - or we should say "cuisine" -
don't count on losing any weight!
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
|
|
Trail Saddles
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Arab/Spanish cross
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate - with walk, trot and canters, 5 riding hours per day
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
Max
80
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
220 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
5 riders
|
Max
10 riders
|
|
You will ride an average of five
hours everyday. The pace will vary according to the terrain. In order to make the most of the
ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in
outdoor riding. Groups are made out of 5 to 12 riders. This limited
amount of riders – often rich of several nationalities – allows each
person to make the most of the trip.
Guides are certified, and are friends
who made a job of their passion. They apply themselves to share this
passion and the pleasure of trail riding. Whether on the Alpes or on
the beaches of Camargue, amongst odorant thym, rosmary and lavander,
our guides insure riders safety in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
All the guides speak English.
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.
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.
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Provence Lavender Road
Tour Code:
IT-FRPV04
7 days /
6 nights
~$1,675.00
Dates :
June-July, Sept-Oct
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :

Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Trail Saddles
Horses:
Arab/Spanish cross
Pace:
Moderate - with walk, trot and canters...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Airport:
Marseille
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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