Horseback riding in the Luberon and the lavender fields of Provence
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationFrance / Luberon
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions194.7 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
At the pace of a horse , explore a Provence bursting with color and fragrance , from the southern Luberon to the iconic lavender fields. This horseback riding tour takes you through the contrasting landscapes of the Petit and Grand Luberon , to the Albion and Claparèdes plateaus , passing through the charming villages of Banon and Sault , the true capital of lavender. In the saddle, you'll ride through vibrant nature, amidst fragrant garrigue , wild sage , Provençal herbs , and seemingly endless lavender fields. The journey continues towards the foothills of Mont Ventoux , in a wilder Provence, with its shaded oak and pine forests. Each stage reveals a new palette of colors: white cliffs , intense greens , lavender blue , and the dazzling light of the Mediterranean sky. An immersive and sensory itinerary, blending unspoiled nature , Provençal culture , and a warm atmosphere , ideal for riders seeking freedom and a break from it all.
The highlights
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Horseback riding in the heart of the Luberon and the iconic lavender fields
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Varied landscapes including scrubland, oak forests and lavender fields stretching as far as the eye can see
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Passing through typical Provençal villages like Banon and Sault, the lavender capital
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
Maximum weight: 90 kg
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 4h
Management
French
English
Program
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Arrival and Lauris-Buoux
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet at noon in Lauris. Welcome drinks and a presentation of your ride, followed by lunch. We begin this horseback riding tour in the Luberon, starting on the southern slope. We climb to the ridges of the Petit Luberon before descending the northern slope towards Bonnieux: a beautiful hilltop village with stone houses. Then we head towards the Claparèdes plateau and the first lavender fields. We then descend towards the Aiguebrun gorges, which mark the boundary between the Petit and Grand Luberon. We pass near the Priory of St. Symphorien, then follow the Aiguebrun river to reach our first accommodation at the foot of the impressive climbing cliffs of Buoux. You can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner. On certain dates, if you have chosen room accommodation, you will be transferred to the gîte in Lauris; the horses will remain at the inn.
Day 1 -
Buoux - Céreste on horseback
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day 2 - Tuesday: Buoux - Céreste. We'll begin the day exploring the prehistoric sites of the Aiguebrun Gorges. Then we'll reach a charming Provençal village and stop at the village fountain to water the horses. Lunch break under the oak trees. In the afternoon, we'll ride along trails through fragrant garrigue before arriving in Céreste, gateway to Haute Provence. Dinner and overnight stay in an inn in the heart of the village.
Day 2 -
Cérest - Simiane la Rotonde
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day 3 - Wednesday: Céreste – Simiane-la-Rotonde. After a break to explore the 11th-century Priory of Carluc, we'll resume our horseback ride, leaving the Luberon region for Oppedette. We'll ride through the Provençal hills and along fields of sage and wheat, some of which are carpeted with poppies. Our assistant will be waiting for us with a delicious buffet lunch in the shade of truffle oaks, on the edge of the Oppedette Canyon. We'll enjoy a stroll through this typical Haute-Provence village before setting off again on horseback in the shade of holm oaks. We'll arrive at our bed and breakfast at the foot of the perched village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, in time to enjoy the swimming pool before dinner.
Day 3 -
Simiane La Rotonde - Le Revest du Bion on horseback
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off on horseback through moors and forests. We'll have a picnic lunch near Sault. In the afternoon, we'll ride again towards Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of Mont Ventoux. This afternoon, the colors of the lavender fields, the cereal crops, and the shadows cast by the foothills of Mont Ventoux might inspire you to emulate the many painters who have fallen in love with this region. We'll arrive in the late afternoon at Montbrun-les-Bains, perched opposite Mont Ventoux, surrounded by verdant hills and overlooking a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender: one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Day 4 -
Le Revest du Bion - Montbrun les Bains on horseback
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 100km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day 5 - Friday: Transfer after breakfast to the horses. Le Revest-du-Bion - Montbrun-les-Bains. Departure on horseback through moors and forests. Picnic lunch near Sault. In the afternoon, we set off again on horseback towards Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of Mont Ventoux, surrounded by verdant hills and overlooking a pretty little plain planted with fragrant lavender. The lavender is harvested at the end of July; in August, a few fields remain, and the fragrance continues to delight riders. Arrival in the late afternoon in Montbrun-les-Bains, perched opposite Mont Ventoux, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Transfer of riders by minibus, of horses by truck, back to Lauris for our last evening.
Day 5 -
Departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Your horseback riding tour ends after breakfast. Free transfer available to Aix-en-Provence TGV train station or Marseille Provence Airport.
Day 6
Note
Indicative program subject to change if necessary: weather, exceptional risk of fire, availability of accommodation, other unforeseen circumstances.
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Free transfer from Aix-en-Provence TGV station (11am)
We suggest you arrive on Sunday and spend a night in Aix-en-Provence, explore this lovely city, and then take our free transfer from Aix TGV train station at 11:00 AM on Monday (shuttle bus from Aix city center to Aix TGV station). Please note: the shuttle cannot hold groups, especially in case of train or flight delays. Therefore, please arrive early to avoid having to take a taxi if your train or flight is delayed.
Monday at 12pm in Lauris in the Luberon at Cap Rando. Free transfer from Marseille Provence Airport (10:30am)
* Attention: the shuttle cannot hold groups, especially in case of delay of your train or plane: plan to arrive in advance of the meeting time to avoid having to take a taxi in case of delay.
Price details
The price includes
- Horse rental with equipment
- The guide
- The assistant responsible for preparing the lunch buffets and transporting luggage by minibus
- Accommodation, meals
- Drinks during meals (table water and 1/4 bottle of wine)
- Return transfer at the end of the ride to the starting point (online horseback riding trip )
- Free arrival transfers from Marseille airport or Aix-en-Provence TGV train station or city center
- On the days and at the times specified
- Free departure transfer to Aix-en-Provence TGV train station or Marseille airport on the days and times specified.
- The financial guarantee of your payments through our travel operator guarantee
The price does not include
- Individual insurance
- The supplement for single rooms
- Drinks outside of meals and not included during meals (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks )
- Possible visits
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Arrival/departure transfers to/from Marseille city center
- The departure transfer to Aix-en-Provence city center
- Transfers outside of scheduled hours
- Anything not listed under "price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Riding gaiters (highly recommended)
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Flashlight
- Tissues and wipes
- 1-liter water bottle
- Mosquito repellent product
- Small individual first aid kit
Clothing to bring
- Waterproof poncho and waterproof trousers (recommended)
- Riding clothes
