Hills and Springs of Provence

arrival to Mas de Recaute in Lauris, on the foot of the Luberon hills. Dinner and night at the Mas.

Lauris –Lauris. This morning will be dedicated to the introduction of horses to their riders. After getting your horse ready, you will leave for an hour and a half ride in the surrounding country side. You will be back to the Mas for a pic-nic lunch made out of fresh local food. This afternoon, you will spend some time with the Mas’ Chef, Gaël, who will introduce you to the local cooking tradition. Together, you will prepare tonight’s dinner, before going out again for a short ride in the surrounding hills. After taking care of your horses, you will quickly get changed and meet up again with Gaël for the final preparations and table setting. And after a well deserved aperitif… you will taste together your own home made dinner !

Lauris – Vaugines. A half-day ride which will take you through famous Lourmarin and onto the small village of Vaugines, first village of the eastern side of the Luberon. Lunch near Vaugines. On the afternoon, your guide will take you for a walk through this tiny provencal village to show you its history. This village was also the shooting place for two famous provencal movies, part of the french culture : “Jean de Florette” and “Manon des Sources”, movies adapted from the novels of famous writer Marcel Pagnol. These two movies will be shot for you in the evening at Mas de Recaute, just before dinner.

Vaugines – Villelaure. A one-day ride which will take you to the local lake called « l’étang de la Bonde » where you will have lunch, and a refreshing swim ! A brand new itinerary which will take through the village of Cucuron, and then down towards the Durance Valley, to Villelaure. Shooting of the second movie in the evening, dinner and night at the Mas.

Villelaure – Lauris. A totally new route again today : you will follow the Durance river banks towards Cadenet. Lunch and dip in the river, maybe with the horses ! Back to Mas de Recaute still following the river bank. Dinner and night at Mas de Recaute.

Lauris – Lauris. A morning break after the last two day adventurous rides. You will be taken to the village of Lourmarin to visit the local street’s market, the village itself and its 12th century castle. Lourmarin is also the village of famous Peter Mayle, who wrote “A Year in Provence”. In the afternoon, you will ride to a local wine producer for a taste of the local Luberon Wine, a Robert Parker selection ! Dinner and night at Mas de Recaute.

End of the ride after breakfast.

In 2-3 person bedrooms. Single bedrooms option. Or in comfortable dormitories.

Spanish Barb mixed or other mix. Local horses, fit and wilful, adapted to trail riding. French trail riding saddles.

Intermediate level. You must have already practiced the 3 different paces (Walk, Trot and Canter) and to have some experience in horse riding.

Rendez-vous on Sunday evening at Mas de Recaute equestrian center at 6 p.m. Optional transfer from Marseille airport (5 p.m.), Aix-en-Provence TGV station (5:30 p.m.) or Aix-en-Provence central train station (5:45 p.m.).