France Horseback Riding Vacation

The Luberon region of Provence is a part of France that is friendly, sun-drenched and a culinary treasure while being virtually undiscovered by tourists. It is a fertile land of vineyards, olive groves and fields of lavender which fill the air with a sweet scent.

Your ride begins at the base of the Luberon Mountain Range and travels higher each day. You will travel along ancient Roman roads built over 2000 years ago and along trails long forgotten. On the top, if the day is clear, you will see the Mediterranean Sea on one side, the snow capped Alps on the other and Provence below you. Along the way, you will travel through ancient villages, along fields of lavender and the deep yellow of thousands of sunflowers bending in unison towards the sun.

Each day, you will ride a Camargue or Selle Francais horse lead by an English speaking guide. Around midday, you will stop for a picnic lunch. As everyone knows, the French take mealtime seriously. Expect a great lunch. After lunch, and possibly a short nap, it is back in the saddle on your way to the nights destination. Each night you will find your luggage, another meal, a relaxing bath or shower and a comfortable bed.

This Inn-to-Inn horseback riding vacation is six nights and five days of riding, taking you through the lower part of the French Alps and along part of the ancient pilgrimage road to Lourdes. It is one of the most special and unspoiled areas of France. This is the France of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gaugin and more recently, the setting of Peter Mayles famous novel, "A Year in Provence."