The Lavender Trail

7 Daysย  |ย  From ยฃ1399pp

France ( Best airport: Marseille)

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Discover one of the most beautiful regions of France on this varied trail, beginning in the Luberon natural regional park before reaching the Colorado Provencal and the lavender fields. Enjoy the scents and colours of Drรดme Provence and ride through stunning and varied landscapes to the sound of cicadas.

The Riding

The trail takes you through various landscapes from Mediterranean Provence to Haute Provence and across the high plateau of lavender and the charming old French villages, as well as the stunning park of Provencal Colorado.

Although forbidden for riders, your host Didier, has a special licence to take you onto this unique park. The “Colorado Provenรงal” is the most spectacular of the ocher sites. For miles, in the heart of Provence, cliffs of gold and blood unfold with canyon-like quarries, succession of fairy chimneys and valleys with surprising contours.

Level of Riding and Fitness

The trail is suitable for intermediate and experienced riders. All participants must be confident and in control at all paces and in open spaces (walk, trot, canter). A reasonable level of current riding fitness is required as youโ€™ll be spending 4-6 hours in the saddle each day and enjoy a 2 hour lunch break everyday.

The weight limit is 90 kg / 14,2 stones.

Guides and Group Size

All guides are bilingual french/english, they are experienced and qualified.

Group size is 4-8.

Any questions?

Contact us now on WhatsApp with any queries you have about this trail.

The Horses

The horses are from the region, and of medium size selected for their character: kind, responsive and easy to ride. They live outside and in a herd all year around. They work from April till November and enjoy a well deserved holiday in a 5000 ha field in the winter.

Horses are assigned to their riders onsite after a discussion with your guide and based on your height, weight, level and experience.

You will ride in comfortable trail-riding saddles with saddle bags and simple bridles.

lavender-trail-5

Accommodation and Dining

On this trail riding expedition you will be staying in comfortable, simple and welcoming inns and hotels along the trail and will spend each night in a different location. You can expect a hearty meal at each destination. Some hotels have pools.

For your holidays you will be able to choose to share a room of 2 – 3 people with other riders, or book your own room for a supplement.

The meals are shared together, and youโ€™ll enjoy local and refined cuisine. Special diets can be accommodated. Wine is included with meals. Your lunch will be taken on the trail and prepared by one of your guides. Enjoy copious and hearty buffets every day.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Lauris between 6 pm and 7 pm, or get transferred from Marseille airport (5 pm), the Aix-en-Provence TGV (5.30 pm), the Aix-en-Provence station (5.45 pm). Meet your guides for a drink and discuss your week. Spend the night in Lauris.
Day 2 Your ride starts about two hours south of the Luberon at the crest of the little Luberon. Enjoy the beautiful view of Mont Ventoux, also called "the giant of Provence" and the mountain of Lure. Enjoy a picnic in a cedar forest after 2-3 hours on the road. In the afternoon, you will descend the north side towards Bonnieux, a beautiful stone village, and then up to the Claparedes plateau. Enjoy the beautiful lavender fields and go down to the Aiguebrun Gorges, on the border between Petit Luberon and Grand Luberon. Your night's accommodation will either be at a charming Inn is at the bottom of the cliff, or you will be transferred back to last night's accommodation.
Day 3 This morning you'll ride on the Claparรจdes plateau and will follow the lavender fields and dry stone wall lanes. Then ride down to the Apt valley on ancient cobblestone paths. After lunch, head towards the Colorado Provenรงal park. You will visit on horseback this exceptional site before leaving your horse for the night. Spend the night at your hotel in Rustrel.
Day 4 Today youโ€™ll slowly get into a valley shaded by oak trees and onto the Albion plateau. Enjoy a picnic near a chapel before travelling through the plateau who ussed to be an old nuclear missile site for the French nuclear force from 1971 to 1996. Ride across the lavender and sage fields with a break at a distillery. Arrive at the guesthouse where you can relax and take a swim before visiting the village of Sault, the capital of lavender, and visit a lavender distillery.
Day 5 This morning youโ€™ll ride towards Saint-Trinit where your lunch will wait for you near Sault. In the afternoon, ride to Aurel, a charming mediaeval village at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Ride through the lavender fields in the afternoon and enjoy the views of Mount Ventoux. Arrive in the afternoon near Montbrun-les-Bains, a beautiful village surrounded by lush green hills and lavender plateau.
Day 6 This morning, your ride will take you to the foot of the Giant of Provence: Mont Ventoux and follow the Toulourenc stream along a typical French village. Enter the Drรดme Provenรงale and ride along wooded hills and lavender fields. In the afternoon, head to Mรฉvouillon, where the truck and minibus await you to transfer you back to Lauris in the Luberon.
Day 7 Enjoy your breakfast before being transferred at 9:30 am to Marseille airport or Aix en Provence train stations.

The Lavender Trail

7 days / 6 nights / 5 riding days
ยฃ1399pp

ยฃ1299pp sharing

ยฃ259 single supplement

International flights & Airport transfers

Transfers are included at set times from and to:

Marseille Airport 5 pm
Aix-en-Provence TGV 5.30 pm
Aix-en-Provence station 5.45 pm

On the last day, transfers leave at 9:30 am for Aix en Provence centre (after 10am), Aix en Provence train station (after 10am) and Marseille Airport (after 11am).

No transfer is possible before 9:30 am, plan your trip according to the fixed free transfer to avoid booking a taxi.

Price Includes
  • Five days of riding
  • Six nights of shared accommodation
  • All arrangements for the duration of the holiday
  • Trail riding horse, tack & saddlebags
  • Breakfasts
  • Packed Lunches
  • Evening Meals
  • Transfer from/ to airport or train stations
Price Excludes
  • Other drinks not included (mineral water, sodas, hot drinks)
  • Visits
  • Tips

Join a ride - Select your date:

3rd July 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - ยฃ1305pp
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10th July 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - ยฃ1305pp
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17th July 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - ยฃ1305pp
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24th July 2023 - 1 Saddle Available - ยฃ1305pp
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