Cezanne Ride

Introduction
Provence France
Montagne Sainte-Victoire: The Provence of Cezanne

This ride traverses around the infamous Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a limestone mountain that extends over 18 kms between the regions of Bouches-du-Rhone and Var. You will discover why famous painters, such as Cezanne and Picasso, who both once lived in the area, fell in love with this contrasting landscape. The bright white cliffs, the blue of the sky, the green of pine forests and the red clay at the foot of the mountain offer a mosaic nature where exist 900 different families of plants, 27 types of mammals and over 100 species of birds.

Nestled between the Durance in the north and the Etoile range and Olympe and Aurelien mountains in the south, the Aix region is unforgettable and holds plentiful treasure for you to discover off the beaten track. Here, it is always spring; this verdant jewel casket contains many treasures of architecture, the country houses of the Aix Region reflecting both the Provençal art de vivre and the richness of the land.

We highly suggest to spend at least one night in Aix-en-Provence; from the Celto-Ligurian Oppidum of Entremont to the new Sextius-Mirabeau Quarter, with the City of Counts and the many mansions of the Mazarin Quarter, Aix-en-Provence is a living history book. Rich and alive with a heritage thousands of years old, the Capital of Provence combines elements from all times. We can help you book hotels in this historical city along with bus shuttles to Aix center to TGV train station and Marseille airport every 20 minutes.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so you will be staying in different locations during the trip. 

Description
Accommodations during the trail will be in guesthouses and country inns with 2 or 3 pax per room. The rooms are basic, but clean and most of them have ensuite bathrooms. We select our accommodation according to its beautiful setting and friendly atmosphere, for riders to enjoy a pleasant stay. There are no laundry facilities while on trail. All accommodations have WIFI.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Les Gargoulettes in Lauris 
Night 2 & 3: Le Catalan in Jouques  
Night 4: Hotel L’Esplanade in Rians
Night 5: La Desirade near Beaurecueil
Night 6: Les Gargoulettes in Lauris 

Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Your host welcome you in their lovely country house. Each room has its own theme and decor with air-conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and ensuite facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and a sauna that guests are welcome to use.

Le Catalan in Jouques  
This beautiful property dates back to the 17th century and offers charming bedrooms, each uniquely decorated and with a private bathroom. There are common areas where guests can watch TV, chat by the fireplace or surf the free Wi-Fi. There is also an outdoor pool, a lovely garden with a sitting area and a small lavender field.

Hostellerie de l’Esplanade in Rians
This cozy hotel originally opened in 1941 and offers simply decorated bedrooms in the heart of Rians. All rooms are fitted with a TV and an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer and toiletries. Wi-Fi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Room Occupancy
Triple rooms are usually available. In case there is no room available with 3 beds, we will book you in a room with 1 double +1 single bed.
If you book in shared bedrooms and if there is no other rider to share with you, the single supplement fee will be applied.



Meals
All meals are included in your package and typical Provençal meals are on the menu.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations we stay in. It usualy consist of a typical French breakfast with hot drinks, bread, butter, marmelade, honey and cereals, (no cheese, eggs...).
At lunch, our assistant will prepare a substantial buffet. A “pastis”, a glass of red wine, a barbecue by a mountain stream, a refreshing salad, a nap before leaving again : many small pleasures which will add to the enjoyment of our rides.
In the evening everyone meets around the table, to discover local food - or should we say "cuisine" - don't count on losing any weight.

Wine is included with lunch and dinner.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Riding Level
In order to make the most of the ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in outdoor riding.

Pace
This program includes 4.5 riding days. You will ride an average of 5 hours every day (about 2-3 hours in the morning and again 2-3 hours in the afternoon). The pace will vary according to the terrain.

Horses
Most of our horses are Barb and Spanish crosses. They have been trained for trail riding and are sure-footed. They live together as a herd, all year long.
During the ride, we advise you to take care of your horse, in order to get to know him better, and to create a special relationship with him.

Riding Group
Groups are made out of 5 to 8 riders. This limited amount of riders, often including several nationalities, allows each person to make the most of the trip.

Staff
Two members of staff will accompany you on your trip: 1 guide on horseback who speaks English and French and 1 person in charge of transporting luggage and setting up the lunch buffets.
Guides are certified, and friendly. They made a job out of their passion and enjoy sharing their passion with guests. Whether on the Alpes or on the beaches of Camargue, amongst odorant thym, rosmary and lavander, our guides are here to keep riders safe. All guides speak English.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to change

Please, note that this is an indicative itinerary: may be subject to changes if necessary (weather, flood of the Durance, fire risks, ...)

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Transfer from Aix-en-Provence train stations or Marseille airport, or meeting directly at your accommodation in Lauris. Welcome aperitif with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris 

Day 2 (Monday): Saint-Paul-lez-Durance to Jouques
Ride in the Luberon nature park to try your horse. After lunch you will load your horse in the truck and you will be transferred with our minibus to Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, an old Roman fluvial harbour used to transport wood and many goods from the Alps to Marseille and the Mediterranean coast. You will start your ride on pleasant trails in woods and alongside vineyards to arrive in Jouques. After riding through the village we will reach our accommodation.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at B&B near Jouques

Day 3 (Tuesday): Jouques to Vauvenargues
You will ride in the typical Mediterranean forest. Pine trees, green oaks, and many herbs such as rosmary and thyme will perfume your ride. You will follow the old Verdon canal, built in 1865 to bring the Alps water to Aix-en-Provence and it’s numerous fountains. Riding to the North of the Sainte-Victoire, you will discover many sheepfolds and Roman ruins. A copious lunch prepared by our assistant will wait for you under pine trees shade. The afternoon, you will ride among brooms to the Bimont lake. Overnight near the village of Vauvenargues, famous for its castle, bought in 1958 by Picasso, where he used to live until 1962, he is lying in the park of the castle. Bus transfer to the same accommodation as yesterday.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at B&B near Jouques

Day 4 (Wednesday): Vauvenargues to Rians
After breakfast transfer to Vauvenargues where the horses are waiting for us. You will start your ride on the North of Mount Sainte-Victoire, to reach the Sinne pilgrim oratory, now a sheep pasture. You will follow the Gardiol forest and ride along the Vacon stream toward Rians, important crossroads between the Alps and the coast. The tradition says that Hannibal took this road to pass the Alps before his Rome conquest. Dinner at the restaurant and night at the hotel in the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Rians

Day 5 (Thursday): Rians to Beaurecueil
You will leave the vineyards and ride toward the South sunny side of the Sainte-Victoire. You will discover high white limestone cliffs contrasting with the green forests, and you will imagine Cezanne walking on these perfumed trails before arriving to the village of Beaurecueil.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at La Desirade near Beaurecueil

Day 6 (Friday): Beaurecueil to Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde
You will end your ride around this fascinating Sainte-Victoire mountain on the west. Spectacular point of view while riding on the Bimont barrage, retaining the Verdon river. Then, you will ride near a Roman aqueduct. A trail will lead you to the Bibemus stone quarry. From the antiquity until the 18th century, monuments in Aix-en-Provence were built with these red stones. Cezanne fell in love with  this mixture of mineral and vegetal landscapes, he made 11 oil paintings and 16 aquarelles of this place. The ride will finish near Aix-en-Provence at Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde where you will enjoy the last lunch in an auberge. The afternoon, we will drive you to Aix-en-Provence with our minibus to visit Cezanne’s workshop, walk in the town and enjoy some shopping. At the end of the afternoon, you will be transferred to Mas de Recaute if you left your car, or to the train station or airport.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

Rates and Dates for Cezanne Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Lauris
Airport: Marseille
Transfer: Marseille

Climate:
                                            Aix-en-Provence area