Provence Riding Vacation- Perched Villages Inn-to-Inn Part 2

My adventures horse riding inn-to-inn to Provence's Perched Villages on a France riding vacation.

By: Emily Mitchell, Bella Remy Photography
Part 2. Read Part 1.

Awakening to the sounds of the countryside along the Luberon Mountains, a quiet morning stroll around the farm was treated by the arrival of fresh French bread for the day. Breakfast along the trail is simple with coffee, juices, yogurt and fresh bread. After all, the lunches and dinners are elaborate affairs.

Continuing on our week long inn-to-inn trail ride, we are to return to where we left our horses at the cherry farm outside of Bonnieux. Today was to be one of our longer days of trail riding. Visiting the medieval villages dotted along the Luberon Mountains, our route is to take us through the undulating hills of the Calavon Valley and through the mountains. The wide and various terrains continuously amazed us as the topography would completely change before we knew it.

The valley is filled with fields and farms, lush with the richness of Provence. Lavender fields growing for their summer bloom, grape vineyards waiting for their fall harvest, and cherry orchards ripe for the picking. There is nothing like grasping juicy cherries from a tree branch that just happens to be at a rider’s height to enjoy along the trail.

Wild poppies were blooming profusely and shared their bright red, offsetting the brilliant blue skies for which Provence is known. While the mornings are cool, the days quickly warm up under the Provencal sun.

The natural scenery along the trail is breathtaking. Each turn in the trail brings a new visual delight. The routes we rode changed from foot paths to paved roads that romantically hugged the countryside.

When on the trail, you have little but the horse and yourself. All of your belongings are transferred from inn-to-inn by van along with food for the horses on this France riding vacation. Locating water along the trail for the horses proved to be an adventure. There is nothing like riding into a medieval town like Villars and reaching the main square so that the horses may drink from the village water fountain.

The villagers look forward to “Horse Day” when the riders come into town to water their horses. These young boys looked on with great envy as we quietly smiled to them. Many villagers peep out their windows, or step out onto their front porch to watch us ride by.

The southern France sun shines brightly mid-day and lunch is always situated in a grove of trees so that both horse and rider can cool off. There is nothing like a Provencal picnic that is cooked in the back of a van. Providing a several course meal for lunch seems easy by our trail chef, Pierre.

Lunch time in Provence is a special time where one gets to relax and enjoy a lovely meal while visiting with friends. Leisurely enjoying the afternoon, ample time is allowed for both lunch and a nice nap afterward on this Provence riding holiday.

As a rider on these trails, the relationship with your horse is a partnership. In exchange for being such a sure and steady steed on the trail, helping feeding and watering your horse reminds one of how both are dependent on each other.

After a long eight hour day of riding, we arrived to the outskirts of Rustrel and had our first view of the Colorado Provencal. These Ochre colored cliffs were to be the start of our third day on the trail.

 

Learn more about Provence riding vacations, including this Provence Perched Villages Ride and horse riding in Provence on a France riding vacation.

About the Author: Emily Mitchell is a freelance photojournalist specializing in travel and outdoor adventure. Author and producer of the blog Hoof Beats & Foot Prints, she shares her travel and adventure experiences on foot and by horseback. Every part of the world mixes the past with the present. Appreciating the local culture with its historical roots, but yet with a fresh eye for adventure, the best of each destination is showcased. Emily is well-seasoned traveler, with visits to over 20 countries, and career experience in the travel and hospitality industry.