Gardians Heritage & Beaches of Camargue
- Experience a tri Camarguais, or bull sorting, along with a third-generation Gardian and learn about the century-old traditions of the Manade and its horsemen.
- Gallop with free-spirited, white Camargue horses across wild beaches and wide-open marshlands, as flamingos, great egrets, and avocets grace the landscape.
- Stay in a beautifully renovated 17th-century Mas, nestled in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, and discover its Chef’s refined take on Provençal cuisine.
Centrally located in Camargue, the Mas de Peint is easily accessible by plane or train from Paris, to the cities of Arles, Montpellier, and Marseille.
On your arrival day, your driver will meet you at Arles train station and transport you to the heart of Camargue, where your accommodation awaits. The journey to the Mas de Peint typically takes 35-minutes from Arles. Transfers from Montpellier or Marseille can also be arranged upon inquiry.
Throughout your journey, a private chauffeur will accompany you between the different sites, accommodations, and riding locations, for you to enjoy a relaxed horse riding tour in Camargue.
The Gardians Heritage & Beaches of Camargue is a private ride designed to welcome intermediate to experienced riders; comfortable riding at all 3 paces and cantering in open nature.
You will spend between 2 to 4 hours in the saddle each day, with the native and free-spirited Camargue horses.
If you are a beginner rider, we are happy to craft a tailor-made itinerary according to your riding background.
Non-riders are also welcome to join the journey : While equestrians explore the trails in the morning, we offer tailored alternative experiences including 4x4 safaris, birdwatching, and more - ensuring every participant enjoys a memorable and personalized experience.
Contact us to design your ideal Camargue riding escape.
When you reach out through our booking or contact form, our team will provide you with a comprehensive brochure of your chosen journey. This booklet includes the full itinerary, details about accommodations, rates, and available departure dates (along with many pictures to give you a glimpse of the ride!).
If this horseback riding in Camargue adventure aligns with your wishes and you would like to join, we will send you a detailed form to complete. This helps us understand your riding level, background, and experience, ensuring you meet the required skill level for the ride. This step not only prioritizes safety but also guarantees an enjoyable experience for the entire riding group.
Once our team and riding guide confirm your suitability, you can secure your saddle by paying a 50% deposit. For your convenience, this can be easily completed via our secure payment link or through a traditional bank transfer.
One of France’s most distinctive regions, the Camargue is renowned for its free-spirited white horses, powerful black bulls as well as its untouched nature reserve, home to an extraordinary variety of birdlife. At the heart of the Delta Rhône, the Gardians carry on a rich equestrian heritage, which has been preserved through the centuries, and shapes a unique way of life that still thrives today.
Ride between land and sea with the Camargue emblematic white horses, galloping freely along the endless Mediterranean beaches as flamingos and herons rise above the surrounding marshes. Discover a traditional manade, where Gardians breed and work with their herds of horses and black bulls, maintaining a remarkable bond that has been passed down through generations.
Stay in a beautifully restored 17th-century Mas, nestled in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, and discover the region through its flavours - from gourmet lunches paired with local wines to a Roman-inspired brunch in Arles and memorable candle-lit Chef dinners.
A unique experience within Camargue’s one-of-a-kind natural, cultural, and equestrian heritage.
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Accommodations
Nestled in the heart of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, Le Mas de Peint is a 12,000-acre estate that has been home to the Bon family, renowned Camargue horsemen, for several generations. Dating back to the 17th century, the Mas has been beautifully restored, offering a subtle blend of comfort and refinement while preserving the Camargue’s heritage and attachment to horses.
Surrounded by gardens, marshlands, and open fields where mares graze freely with their foals, the estate offers an idyllic setting to slow down and embrace the peaceful rhythm of the countryside. The swimming pool and sun-drenched terrace provide the perfect setting to unwind, whether with a refreshing swim or a sundowner overlooking the surrounding landscape. Each evening, the estate’s Chef welcomes guests for a gastronomic immersion to celebrate the flavors of the Camargue and fresh produce from the garden, served in an intimate and elegant setting.
Just a few meters from the estate lies the renowned Manade Jacques Bon, where horses and bulls roam across the domain. Here, third-generation Gardian Frédéric Bon continues the traditions of the Manade, preserving the unique relationship between the horsemen, their horses, and the iconic black bulls of the Camargue.
LE MAS DE PEINT
Historic, Intimate & Peaceful
THE CAMARGUE:
The Camargue is a unique natural and cultural region in the South of France, formed some 6,000 years ago in the delta of the Rhône River. Set between the river and the Mediterranean Sea, this extraordinary landscape of marshes, lagoons, salt flats, and open plains has developed into one of Europe’s most remarkable natural environments.
Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1977, it is home to an exceptional diversity of wildlife, including flamingos, herons, and the emblematic white horses and black bulls of the Camargue. The region has also developed a strong identity influenced by its landscapes and the people who have lived and worked here for generations. Camargue red rice cultivation, salt production, and the breeding of Camargue bulls and horses have all played an important role in its history and way of life.
The Gardians, the traditional horsemen of the Camargue, continue to work with the region’s bulls and horses at manades across the delta. Their traditions are celebrated through local festivals and equestrian events, keeping alive a distinctive way of life that has become one of the defining symbols of the Camargue.
THE CAMARGUE HORSE, MADE OF SALT, MISTRAL & COURAGE
The Camargue horse is one of the region’s most iconic symbols, and a source of great pride for the Camarguais (inhabitants of Camargue). Considered one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, its origins remain for now unknown. Small, hardy, and remarkably sure-footed, the Camargue horse was traditionally used for agricultural and pastoral work, especially for harvesting. Over the centuries, the breed adapted to the extreme conditions of the Mediterranean climate, developing exceptional strength, agility, courage and resilience, hence the poetic expression to describe the Camargue horse as “made of mistral, salt, and courage.”
These outstanding qualities have made the Camargue horse the ideal working companion for the Gardians (cowboys of Camargue), allowing them to navigate the marshes safely while managing herds of powerful black bulls. Nowadays, most Camargue horses are raised in semi-freedom within manades - traditional estates where herds of bulls and horses roam freely across the wetlands and pastures of the Camargue. They still remain loyal partners for the Gardians, as well as wonderful companions for exploring the wild landscapes of the Camargue on horseback.
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A glimpse into the Gardians Heritage & Beaches of Camargue Ride
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