Horseback riding from the Luberon to the Camargue

Introduction to your horse, preparation, and departure from the southern slopes of the Luberon: its pine forests and cliff landscapes, riding alongside orchards, olive groves, and vineyards, until we reach the Durance River. We follow pleasant trails and cross the river (via a bridge in case of flooding) before a delightful shaded picnic by the river. In the afternoon, we ride along a canal irrigating the valley's many crops and return to the paddock where our horses will stay overnight. Riders are then transferred by minibus to their bed and breakfasts in Lauris.

After breakfast, we'll transfer to Mallemort to meet the horses. We'll set off across the plains and through their orchards towards Lamanon, where a hearty picnic awaits. In the afternoon, we'll ride towards the Alpilles, a magnificent limestone mountain range where the white cliffs contrast with the green pine forests. We'll arrive near Eygalières. Overnight stay in a bed and breakfast at the foot of the Alpilles.

The Alpilles. Horseback riding through the Alpilles mountains, on superb trails through pine forests. We discover the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh, passing by the Saint-Paul monastery where he was interned, then the Roman arch of Glanum. Picnic lunch by a lake. In the afternoon, a superb ride with views of the Alpilles peaks before discovering the silhouette of Les Baux-de-Provence. Visit to the village followed by a minibus transfer to the heart of the Camargue. Overnight stay in a hotel, a building some four hundred years old, built on the remains of a 12th-century abbey.

Horseback riding to a Camargue ranch. After an hour's ride through the heart of the Camargue, you arrive at a Camargue ranch. Mathieu, a passionate herdsman, welcomes us in front of the enclosure of one of his bull herds. We accompany him on horseback to "accamp" the bulls, that is, to drive them through the marsh to a sorting pen. Then he tells us about the "Camargue bullfighting," the breeding methods, and the traditions associated with Camargue bulls. Afterward, he sorts a few bulls in front of us. Picnic lunch prepared by our assistant at the ranch. Then we set off again for another hour's ride to the ranch where the horses are kept for the night. Transfer to your hotel in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After settling into your hotel, you can stroll through the village streets and do some shopping, take a walk on the beach, or enjoy the hotel pool, before dinner at a local restaurant and an evening out at a lively bodega. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning spent on the beach enjoying a picnic lunch (cars not allowed) under a laupio (a typical Camargue shelter). In the afternoon, we set off for Méjanes, riding along the Vacarès lagoon: stunning scenery in the heart of the Camargue, with its many pink flamingos. The ride ends in Méjanes, where the horses are loaded into the truck and the riders are transferred to Lauris for their final meal and night's stay.

Your horseback riding tour in Provence ends after breakfast. At 9:30 am, depart for the free transfer to Aix-en-Provence TGV train station or Marseille airport.