Provence Escape Ride

Riding getaway in Southern France

Open vistas above valley of olive trees fields, forest of old oaks and fragrance of rosemary bushes make this ride unforgettable. After a first night at our “bastide”, we start our 3 day trek through vineyards, oak forests, fields of olive trees and on crests overlooking green valleys. Every evening, we go back to the country estate by horse or minibus (when the horses stay at the stage) for a gourmet dinner and a peaceful night in our wonderful Provencal bastide.  This is a shorter version of our Discover Provence ride.

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2008 Rates include accommodations, meals, wine with dinner - Tue 6 PM to Sat 9:30 AM
5 days/ 4 nights - 3 riding days
High Season          $ 1,345   
-- based on € 945
Mid Season           $ 1,125  
 -- based on € 785
Low Season           $ 925   
-- based on  € 645

2007 Dates:    $ 925   -- based on  € 680
10/23-10/27    10/30-11/03   
11/06-11/10    11/13-11/17
2008 Dates:  
03/25-03/29    04/01-04/05    04/08-04/12
04/15-04/19    04/22-04/26    04/29-05/03
05/06-05/10    05/13-05/17    05/20-05/24
05/27-05/31    06/03-06/07    06/10-06/14
07/22-07/26    07/29-08/02    08/05-08/09
08/12-08/16    08/19-08/23    08/26-08/30
09/02-09/06    09/09-09/13    09/15-09/19
09/23-09/27    09/30-10/04    10/07-10/11
10/14-10/18    10/21-10/25    10/28-11/01
11/04-11/08    11/11-11/15

Single room if requested:  +$ 255   -- € 180
Upgrade to Mediterranee Room:  $145 (Euro 100)
Non-Riders:  -$325 lodging,  breakfast & dinner

see availability

Itinerary
Day 1 : Tuesday
If you arrive on your own, meeting time is 6 PM for an afternoon ride. If you have booked a transfer, we pick you up at Nice Côte d’Azur international airport at 4 PM or at “Les Arcs Draguignan” TGV train station at 5 PM. Dinner is on the terrace near the swimming pool or in the magnificent arched stone walled room to taste the homemade Provencal cuisine. Day 2 : Wednesday
French buffet breakfast, with homemade jam, warm croissants and tasty “baguette” bread. Today our ride leads us to an old village nested at the foot of a cliff and overlooked by two Middle Age towers. In the cliff flows a spring between old cave-dwellers’ houses and caves. We have picnic near a spring, close to a small basin under the shadow of the trees. In the afternoon, we return to our home cantering on pleasant forest trails and in the vineyards. You will have time to relax or to swim in our heated swimming pool (May to September) before dinner at our home.
Day 3 : Thursday
After breakfast we drive you to the village to visit a typical Provencal market. You will find in the market and in the shops around all the Provencal products, from fabrics to olive oil, and you will be surprised by all the fresh products we have in this beautiful area. Late morning, we meet our horses and we ride in the forest where we can canter on some nice sandy trails before stopping for lunch under very tall old oaks. During the season when the lavender fields are in flower (part of June and July), we will have the opportunity to ride through the lavender fields in flower.
We will be back late afternoon for a relaxing evening, dinner and night. Today is a special dinner as we will taste several local olive oils.
Day 4 : Friday
After our traditional buffet breakfast, we go for a special day with a lot of impressive views over the Provencal countryside. After a ride through vineyards, we arrive at our picnic place, close to an old village famous for its overlooking view and its numerous fountains where we take the horses to drink. After lunch, we ride in olive trees fields to return for a relaxing end of afternoon and why not a cocktail near the pond or the swimming pool before dinner and night.
Day 5 : Saturday
End of the stay after breakfast, the last opportunity to taste our warm croissants and homemade jams.
Check out time is 9.30 AM.

Minimum riding ability required
 Riders must be able :
* to trot and canter on trails
* to stay in the saddle up to 6 hours per day for several consecutive days
* to walk beside the horse when needed
* to mount and dismount unassisted
* to tack and groom the horse (with our help the first days)

View Slide Show:     Horseback
View Slide Show:     Lodging  & Interiors
View Slide Show:     Scenery