A Taste of Provence

After airport or train collection, riders will gather at the “Mas de Recaute” your lovely French Farm Home late in the afternoon. Introduction to your accommodation, an aperitif in front of the fire place, and presentation of the ride and French lesson program will mark the start of your week in Provence. Dinner at the host’s table begins with learning a French toast.

In the morning, meet your equine partner and “get acquainted” on an introductory trail ride in the vineyards surrounding the Farm. Enjoy a French lunch on the grounds of the Farm. In the afternoon the group leaves for one hour and a half to ride the rolling hills of the Luberon Mountain range. You will see White Oaks, olive trees and the great perfume filled countryside of Provence. Two hours of French lessons follow your ride, in main dining room. A wonderful dinner and accommodation at your French Farm Home end your first full day in this wonderful area of France.

This morning you will follow in the footsteps of Cezanne by minibus. You will discover the most famous places painted by Cezanne in the Montagne Sainte-Victoire and around the great city of Aix-en-Provence, and visit his work studio (http://www.atelier-cezanne.com/aix-en-provence.html). You will then spend the rest of your morning in the famous Aix-en-Provence street market : the best place to buy local products and handycrafts ! You will be free to have lunch in one of the numerous caf. or restaurant in Aix, before meeting everyone again and being driven back to the Mas. Optional ride in the afternoon, to keep exploring the surrounding area, among all the quintessential Provence herbs: thyme, rosemary, savoury, sage, wild lavender. Return for your next French lessons. Dinner and a restful evening at your French Farm Home are the perfect ending to this day.

Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely pic-nic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on its cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to get the best production of : wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons, ... the Provence treasures ! French lesson after the ride and taking care of the horses, and another wonderful Provencal dinner.

This morning is dedicated to the discovery of all the famous local products. You will thus exercise your palate at the Mas, around a good fire. You will taste olive oil and olives, honey, grilled chestnuts in the fireplace, everyone will be able to participate in preparing a good Provence lunch and making all together the famous truffle omelette that you will then taste for lunch, with local wine…! The afternoon hosts a half day ride up to Ride, Cook and learn French in Lovely Cezanne & Peter Mayle’s Provence: “One Week in Provence” you will then taste for lunch, with local wine…! The afternoon hosts a half day ride up to the crests of the Luberon with a very nice view on the surrounding hills and the Valley. Beautiful limestone cliffs looking down on you, and hosting the plateau of the cedar forest, will follow you on your ride. You will get back to the Mas late in the afternoon, in time for your 4th French lesson of the week.

This morning you will visit Provencal villages such as Lauris and Lourmarin, Cezanne’s local market and where Peter Mayle – the Author of “A Year in Provence”, is now living. There is an opportunity for optional cooking classes with famous French chef…see the website: http://www.chateau-de-clapier.com/index.asp . In the afternoon enjoy your last ride to a local cellar producing “Cotes du Luberon”. This little family cellar has been promoted by Robert Parker, the famous American Wine Writer. Don’t drink too much, just enjoy your taste, before riding through nice pine tree forests and bring your horse to the pasture, in the woods, where they will have a week-end rest. Last French lesson, and last dinner in Provencal friendly atmosphere.

After breakfast, transportation to train station or airport.

2 options : in 2-3 person bedrooms or in dormitories. Single bedrooms option.

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

Coming by car: Meeting at the Mas de Recaute (phone of the accommodation: 04 90 08 29 58). Lauris is located on the D 973, between Cavaillon (26 km) and Pertuis (18 km). Highway A 7 Paris - Marseille: exit : Sénas. Highway A 51 Nice - Aix-en-Provence - Sisteron: exit Pertuis (from the North) or Le Puy Sainte Reparade (number 14) from the South. Your car will stay at the Mas de Recaute for the duration of the ride. No reception before 6 p.m. Coming by train: Avignon TGV station – Schuttle to the Avignon center bus station – Then bus from Avignon to Lauris. Avignon: 5:55 p.m. – Lauris: 7:05 p.m. Pick up at Lauris bus stop. We offer following transfers at preset times: - Aix TGV station (in Zola hall): meeting at 5:30 p.m. - Aix center station (in front of the station): meeting at 5:45 p.m. Transfer to Mas de Recaute. Coming by plane: Meeting at Marseille airport, hall 4, “meeting point”, in front of the information desk at 5 p.m. Transfer to Mas de Recaute.