Photo Journey of a Provence Riding Vacation- Perched Villages Trek
A photo journey through Provence's Perched Villages on an Inn-to-Inn Riding Vacation in France.
By Emily Mitchell, Bella Remy Photography
Waking up early to enjoy the peaceful medieval village of Rustrel, I thought of how beautiful the previous day was horse riding through grape vineyards, ripe cherry orchards and medieval villages.
Located on the southern side of the Vaucluse Mountains, we spent the night in the town’s only inn, the Auberge de Rustrel, where locals were playing Petanque in the evening light on our Provence riding vacation.
Auberge de Rustrel Inn with curved road.
Two men playing Penque in Provence.
Rustrel is the secret gem of the journey on the Perched Villages Inn-to-Inn ride through the Luberon Mountains. Quickly adjusting to the culture and lifestyle of a medieval village, I began walking through the narrow cobblestoned streets. Just over 600 residents live in this charming village that is complete with its own castle.
A castle in the trees in Provence.
Traveling in the beginning of May, the roses were in full bloom throughout the village, beautifully decorating the mountains and villages with their scents and colors.
Blue shutter with red roses.
Pink roses juxtaposed with the mountains.
Throughout the streets I continued to be in awe with Rustrel’s Provencal charm. With ease, the residents have made this a true community and anyone walking the streets can feel the village’s warm spirit.
Provence architecture. Blue shutters with ochre walls and lamp.
A Provence Village Street.
With each twist and turn, new delights awaited discovery. Walking behind the castle up the hill the road turned and, lo and behold, I saw a Picasso sketch on the side of a wall!
Picasso window Poem side angle.
Picasso sketch in Rustrel, Provence.
Restored in 2007, Picasso originally placed this sketch on February 19, 1966. Along with a poem written by Jacques Louchard, my only guess is that these two artists spent plenty of time in this home creating masterpieces.
Poem and Picasso sketch in Rustrel.
But Rustrel is full of surprises. One of the rituals of Provence is to rise early and head to the local bakery to purchase freshly baked bread for the day. Cheerfully greeting locals passing by with their baguettes, I started to want my own fresh bread. Rustrel appreciates the traditional art of baking and their bakery specializes in baking delicious breads in a wood-fire oven.
Bakery goods in Rustrel in Provence, France.
Bakery building in Rustrel, Provence.
When returning to the inn for breakfast, I shared my wonderful discoveries with my riding vacation group. The bread was the most incredible bread I’ve ever had, and the chocolate croissants disappeared quicker than the blink of an eye. Only I had discovered the Picasso, and even our guide Jeff had been unaware of this priceless masterpiece in the village.
But this is not what Rustrel is known for as just outside of the village is Les Colorado Provencal de Rustrel. These Ochre colored cliffs magically appear in the middle of the Luberon and were mined for their natural pigments from 1871 until 1992 when chemical dyes replaced Ochre. Now protected, the Colorado of Rustrel is visited by hikers, campers and horse riders with campgrounds close by.
Riding into the cliffs in Provence.
Riding through the cliffs and ochre colored sand dunes, the brightness of Provence shined through. Each sand dune and cliff offered its own personality and the scenery was spectacular.
Paint Horse on sand dune.
Riders heading down sand dunes in Provence.
Two riders in the background of the dunes.
I could have easily spent all day playing in the sand dunes and ochre colored cliffs, but the riding day had just begun. Today was to be another long riding day on my France equestrian vacation and we had only just gotten into the saddle. Our route was to take us through Viens and on to Cereste for an overnight at a horse farm.
Rustrel Map.
Take the Provence Perched Villages Ride. More information rates and upcoming departures for this France riding vacation and more great riding holidays at EquitrekkingTravel.com. For more equestrian travel resrouces, check out the Equitrekking Vacation Guide to great dude ranches, guest ranches and worldwide riding holidays. Read more great stories like this one in Equitrekking's free monthly newsletter.
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.
