Horseback Riding
in France
THE SOUL OF PROVENCE
|
Provence is renowned
for its natural beauty and the happy way its
architecture blends with nature. It is an area
which Van Gogh and Cezanne loved to paint. The
landscape is full of flowers in the spring and
golden fields of grain in the fall. You will
ride through olive and almond groves, wild
flowers, lavender and thyme. Ancient walled
villages perch on hilltops. Historical remains
date back to times long before the Romans.
|
|
Itinerary |
|
Day 1: |
You will
be met at Avignon railway station or
airport and transferred to Apt for
dinner and overnight, or if driving,
meet at the lodging in the late
afternoon.
|
|
Day 2: |
A short
transfer to the stable, then get to know
your horse while riding through the
Calavon valley, discovering medieval
hilltop villages. In the afternoon ride
on to the ancient village of Viens for
dinner and overnight nearby.
|
|
Day 3: |
Crossing
the hills known as "Colorado Provencal",
named for the unusual ochre colored rock
formations, climb to about 3,300 feet
where you will have wonderful views of
the Apt valley. After long canters
through lavender fields in the Sault
valley you will reach St. Trinit for
dinner and overnight in a local
farmhouse.
|
|
Day 4: |
Today
ride along the sides of "Giant de
Provence", le Mont Ventoux, with amazing
rocky landscapes of the Dròme and long
canters in the forests, returning in the
afternoon to the farmhouse in St. Trinit.
|
|
Day 5: |
Ride
across the crests of the Montagne de
Lure at about 3,500 feet, where in good
weather there are wonderful views of the
Alps snowy peaks to the north, and the
Mediterranean to the south. Overnight in
a Dròme farmhouse with a superb
panoramic view.
|
|
Day 6: |
Meander
over hills and valleys along shepherds'
paths and traces of old Roman roads to
the dramatic Montagne de Lure, the Giono
heartland. The hills offer riders their
upland pastures for good canters.
Overnight in Banon.
|
|
Day 7: |
Leaving
the haute Provence, ride this final day
to the Calavon 'gorges', returning again
to the welcoming Lubéron mountains for
one last, long canter, then crossing the
river to the end of your journey.
Overnight and a final dinner at the
auberge in Apt.
|
|
Day 8: |
Departure after breakfast to Avignon
railway station or airport. Departure
time depends on train or flight
schedules.
|
|
THIS
ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR
DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN
CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
|
Pricing and
Dates |
|
Meeting Point |
Avignon |
|
Length of Ride |
8 days, 7
nights and 6 days riding. |
|
Riding Ability |
Strong
Intermediate |
|
Group Size |
Minimum-2
Maximum-6 |
|
Riding Per Day |
5-6 hours |
|
Pace |
moderate
|
|
Tack |
English |
|
Horses |
Spanish,
Arab and Barb |
|
Weight Limit |
190 lbs |
|
2009 Dates |
May 9-16, May 23-30, June
6-13, June 20-27, *July 4-11, *July
18-25, Sept 5-12, Oct 3-10
*Lavender season
|
|
2009 Price |
$2,330,
$3,400 lavender season |
|
Single Supplement |
$365, $610 Lavender
season weeks |
|
|
|
|
