Our Destinations

Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

FRANCE - HIGH PROVENCE : TRAIL RIDE ON JEAN GIONO's TRACKS..

During this horseback trail, you will discover the high places of Provence celebrated by Jean Giono. The pleasant climate all the year round allows you to appreciate this country of thousand and one landscapes...   The crossing of the valley of Banon and its fields of lavenders as far as the eye can see, the Roman ways and the perched hamlets, the river of Lauzon and its "bathing" places, the Mountain of Lure, the remarkable architecture of the villages we come through (Forcalquier, Lurs, Sigonce), the geologic site of Mourres...   A ride absolutely to be discovered!

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Sunday

Welcome of the riders at about 7 pm at the riding centre, or transfer at 6:45 pm from the station of Brillanne - lines TER Marseille / Briançon-(approximately 30 minutes drive).
Our first meeting allows us to get acquainted with the other riders and also to receive more precise explanations concerning the program of the week and the horses. Meal and evening at the riding centre, night in the dormitory.

Day 2 : Monday

Today, we leave for a beautiful day around the riding centre to get acquainted with our horses. Along the roman track we come through the village of Banon, built in the mountains and overlooking the valley. We will have picnic at the Spring of Oboeuf and in the afternoon  the forest paths and between the lavender fields will  give us nice occasions for a canter.

Tonight, we have dinner and night at the riding centre.

Day 3 : Tuesday

This morning we leave in the direction of Seigne forest and its nice tracks, riding through villages and hamlets with a remarkable architecture. After lunch break on a usually sunny spot on the hills, we arrive in Forcalquier bu the Zinzine hill and then its historical center. We spend the evening in the guest house "La Parise" in a comfortable dormitory.

In summer, this stop can be replaced by an itinerary higher up in the mountains where we appreciate the coolness of beech groves. The evening is planned in that case in a pastoral sheepbarn.

Day 4 : Wednesday

Today we go to the stunning geological site of the Mourres, with its rocks shaped like human faces or like mushrooms… not yet Cappadocia, but there is a resemblance... We continue through the valley of Pierrerue where we can do some canters. The place where we picnic today is magic, as we will stop by the falls of Menyssargue (swimming possible in late summer).

During our afternoon ride, we pass by the famous village of Lurs, where we make a small, well deserved break.

We spend the evening with our friends the goat breeders at the Pré Giraud, who will make us taste some of the home-made goat cheese.

Accomodation in comfortable rooms of 3 and 5 beds (possibility to upgrade to a single room with 10 € supplement to pay directly, depending on availability).

Day 5 : Thursday

After breakfast we leave for a lovely route high up from where we can admire views on all Provence. Our steps then lead us to Sainte Etienne les Orgues, famous village for its numerous herbalists. In the afternoon we will ride in the Lure Mountains where we will discover the 12th century chapel just before arriving at the mountain refuge where we will spend the night at 1500 m.

Day 6 : Friday

Today we continue on the crests and through mountain pastures and with a bit of luck we can maybe see a flock of chamois or even a golden eagle.

After a small deviation on the peak of the Pré de Fau at 1700 m, we go back down to the valley through the Combe de la Sapiée and its magnificent beech wood.

Picnic will be at the sheep barn of the Gros Chêne (big oak tree) and we will have a siesta under a majestic tree. On our way back we come through the valley of Lardiers and its lavender fields.

Dinner and night at the riding centre.

Day 7 : Saturday

Breakfast at the riding centre and possible departure from 09:00 am.

The riders travelling by train will be transferred to the train station of Brillanne for the train of 10:42 am (arriving at Aix in Provence Centre at 11:45 am (bus of connection for the station TGV(HST) at 12:15 am arriving at 12:30 am) and in Marseille at 12:51 am).

This itineray is communicated as a rough guide. According to the season and the weather conditions during the ride, we can take a different circuit in the same regions. From May till September, we take a route a little higher up in the mountains to find some coolness, with certain nights of bivouac, in a sheepbarn or mountain refuge. At the beginning and at the end of season, we privilege more valley sites and some nigths can be replaced by guesthouse accommodation.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Please consult us for any extra stay in France !

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
Our horses are issued from varied bred crossing. They are used to live and make the trails together and perfectly adapted to the ground and the climate.

Tack
English or trail tack.

Required riding level

We ride about 5 hours everyday, so you should be comfortable at all paces and have a good stamina to ride 25 to 30km a day.

We will ask you to take care of your horse : brush, saddle, unsaddle.

Minimum age is 12 years if accompanied by an adult.

The minimum age to participate in this trail without an accompanying adult is 14 years.
Maximum weight : 95 kg

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation
On the 6 nights included on that trail, we spend 4 nights in guesthouse in small dormitories and 2 nights in refuge or under tent depending of the season.

Possibility to have a hot shower 4 days only.

Food
Picnic lunch will be taken from the saddlebags.

For dinner, our support vehicule will join us with the luggage and a hot meal.

DATES AND RATES

- transportation from and to the meeting point,
- extra drinks,

- any other service,

- tips,

- personal expenses,
- optional insurance : more information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Please, contact Anne for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Provence enjoys a clement temperature, rains are there rare and the exceptional luminosity. The climatic conditions are not less irregular there from one year to the next. The influence of the relief and the sea plays an important role. Maritime Provence benefits from a climate more pleasant than internal Provence where the temperatures are less sweet. At the beginning and at the end of season, the snow is exceptional in no way.

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..

CH145-Haute-Provence