France: Provence - summer scents of provence

Day 1: Buoux

ITALY / BUOUX (-/-/D)
On horseback to discover Haute-Provence!
We will find ourselves immersed in the landscapes described by Jean Giono, a French writer of Italian origin, known for his incredibly realistic portrayals of this region. We are in the heart of Provence, in the area known as Drôme Provençale: from the Luberon Regional Natural Park, offering nature lovers trails shaped by geological heritage and five distinct ecosystems, to the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park, the main peak of the range that reaches nearly 2,000 meters and is nicknamed “The Giant of Provence.”
We’ll ride between the Alps and the Mediterranean, surrounded by the scents of Provençal herbs—thyme, sage, rosemary, wild lavender—and accompanied by the ever-present sound of cicadas.

Meeting point at 12:00 PM at Mas de Recaute in Lauris, in the heart of Provence (transfers available on request, included at the following times: Marseille Airport – 10:30 AM, Aix-en-Provence TGV Station – 11:00 AM, Aix-en-Provence City Station – 11:15 AM). After lunch, we assign horses and begin our ride along the southern slopes of the Luberon. We’ll head towards the Claparèdes Plateau and pass the first lavender fields. We then descend into the Aiguebrun Gorges, which separate the Petit from the Grand Luberon. We ride past the Priory of St. Symphorien, then follow the Aiguebrun River to our first accommodation at the foot of the great cliffs of Buoux. Guests can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner.

Day 2:

BUOUX / CERESTE (B/L/D)
We start the day exploring the prehistoric sites of the Aiguebrun Gorges. 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 ride through the fragrant scrubland before arriving in Céreste, gateway to Haute-Provence. Dinner and overnight in a cozy guesthouse in the heart of the village.

Day 3:

CERESTE / SIMIANE-LA-ROTONDE (B/L/D)
We ride to discover the 11th-century Priory of Carluc, then leave the Luberon behind and head toward Oppedette, crossing Provençal hills and fields of sage and wheat dotted with poppies. Our assistant awaits us with a lovely buffet lunch under the truffle oaks on the edge of the Oppedette Canyon. After a stroll through this typical Haute-Provence village, we continue riding under the shade of holm oaks. Arrival at a bed & breakfast at the foot of the perched village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, just in time to enjoy the swimming pool before dinner.

Day 4:

SIMIANE-LA-ROTONDE / LE REVEST DU BION (B/L/D)
We start the day with a walking tour of Simiane before setting out on horseback across the Vaucluse Mountains. Picnic lunch under chestnut trees. In the afternoon, we reach the small guesthouse of Le Revest riding through lavender and sage fields.

Day 5:

LE REVEST DU BION / MONTBRUN-LES-BAINS / LAURIS (B/L/D)
Departure on horseback through moorlands and woods. Picnic near Sault. In the afternoon, we ride toward Aurel, a charming medieval village at the foot of Mont Ventoux, surrounded by green hills and lavender fields. Although lavender is harvested in late July, the scent lingers even into August. We arrive in the late afternoon at Montbrun-les-Bains, one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France,” facing Mont Ventoux. Riders are transferred by minibus (horses by truck) back to Lauris for the final evening together.

Day 6:

LAURIS / AIX-EN-PROVENCE or MARSEILLE / ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast and departure at 9:30 AM with included transfer to:

Aix-en-Provence City Station – 10:00 AM
Aix-en-Provence TGV Station – 10:30 AM
Marseille Airport – 11:00 AM
Note: The above itinerary is indicative and may be subject to change due to weather or circumstances beyond our control.

Key Info
(B/L/D): B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: from ° to °°°°°

DURATION: 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (Intermediate)
ACCOMMODATION: Guesthouses
EQUIPMENT: Trekking saddles
HORSES: Calm and well-trained Arab and Arab-Berber horses
PACE: Around 5 hours per day in the saddle – riders must be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter
WHAT TO BRING: Riding clothes, protective helmet, water bottle
TYPE: Itinerant trek with overnights in guesthouses

ACCOMMODATION:
Simple yet comfortable lodgings along the route, selected for their food quality and warm atmosphere. Some have pools and Wi-Fi.

Nights 1 & 5: Guest House Les Gargoulettes (or similar)
Night 2: Hotel L’Aiguebelle
Night 3: Hotel La Fontaine or Le Petit Labouret (or similar)
Night 4: Le Petit Labouret