The scenery is
best explored atop a gentle horse !
Located in the beautiful Alpilles Natural Park of
Provence, France, LE PETIT ROMAN Ranch offers a truly unique experience.
LE PETIT ROMAN is a working ranch where
you can experience :
- Horse Rides to discover nature, provençal landscapes and secret places in
Alpilles Natural Park
- Working Cows to discover the daily ranch
activities such as cattle-drive, ranch sorting or
roping…etc…
Want to go horseback riding but have a young cowpoke who’s hesitant to
ride a full-sized steed? Don’t fret. At Le Petit Roman, a youngin’ can
saddle up on a gentle horse, which is led by someone holding a leadline.
About us
At our family-operated 165.56-acre ranch, we breed horses and cattle, and farm 3000 olive trees to make olive oil. Sébastien, the
founder of Le Petit Roman Ranch, from just a boy was a natural born cowboy ("gardian"
in Provence) spending the summer in cow camps and skipping school to take his horses out for
a ride. He is fond of Team Roping and competing everywhere in France and Europe. The natural
beauty of our place and the typical warm-heartedness of the cowboys and
cowgirls will make you feel right at home.
At Le Petit
Roman Ranch, we don’t define “guests” in the typical manner, but we consider
each and every guest a friend and part of the ranch crew. Like we say at the
ranch – you may come as a guest but you will leave as a life-long friend.
At
LE PETIT ROMAN RANCH
Come as a Guest, Leave as a Friend !
LE PETIT ROMAN
offers a family owned and operated guest ranch where you can enjoy
home-cooked meals, horseback riding, friendly staff, great facilities, and lots
of peace and quite. You will enjoy our 12x6 swimming pool amongst olives groves
and pine forest…
HORSE RIDES : 1:30 hour,
half day, full day, week-end or 3, 4 days outings
At horse’s pace
you will discover the richness of Alpilles Natural Park and travel around the
authentic Provence.
The
scenery changes constantly throughout the ride. We pass under limestone cliffs,
through ancient olive groves, under tall Aleppo pines, along canals and over
ridges. The perfumes of the Provencale garrigue is ever present as the horses
crush rosemary, thyme and cistus under hoof. At one perfect moment on the
summit of a ridge, a bird of prey, perhaps a rare Bonelli eagle, soares
overhead. There is no better way to explore the Alpilles hills, admiring the
view while the horse does all the work.
Le Petit Roman will
match your riding level to a suitable group. If you want to canter and gallop,
make sure you state this when you book, or you can ask for a private
outing.
SEVERAL DAYS
OUTINGS
During those
rides, you will take different itineraries depending on your guide’s mood,
the composition of the group or the season. There is always a unique ride
waiting just for you !
|
Day 1
Meeting
point at the stables around 9:30 am. You will be explained your itinerary for
the day and will get on your horse to start the ride. We will stop for lunch
outside on the way, where a nice home-cooked meal would have been prepared.
Dinner and night at
the guesthouse.
Day 2-3
We ride around 5 or 6 hours.
Our guide will choose our itinerary depending
on the conditions of the trail to make sure you have the best time possible.
Day 4
We take the road towards Maussane les Alpilles, this charming typical village is nestled in the heart of
the Alpilles hills. We pass through olive groves and near a beautiful traditional mill and head to the Servanes waterfalls before arriving to the stables. Lunch under the pine trees or at the saloon.
End of the ride, individual
departure of the riders around 5pm.
Meet the family
As soon as you arrive at Le Petit Roman Ranch, you become part of the family. Here are a few of the faces you will get to know during your stay :
The owner and founder of Le Petit Roman Ranch, Sébastien, is a true cowboy and man of “ranch wisdom”. At the ranch, he’s known as The Boss.
JC and Christine are Sébastien’s parents and run the guest ranch. In her kitchen, Christine is THE boss ! She will delight you with typical provençal cuisine and exquisite home-cooked meals ! JC takes care of the olive groves and will tell you everything about olive trees ...
Horses and
riding level
Horses
We have different types of
horses. Criollos, Quarter horses, Paints, Appaloosas or Spanish Pure Breeds,
Merens, Camargues...
Tack
We use australians, Mac lellan
or western saddles. Saddlebags are not provided but you can bring yours to
carry your personal belongings during the day.
Recommended riding ability
To join this trail, you have
to be comfortable at all paces in open spaces, to ride outdoors in various
grounds.
It can be your first time outdoor riding over several days but novice riders
could not be accepted.
We ride 5 to 6 hours per day.
Useful informations
Each rider is responsible for
his horse : feet, detection of small scratches, brushing, and tack.
Accompanied children are allowed from 10 years old if they are good riders and
from 12 years old if they are by themselves.
Maximum weight : 100kg
Maximum size : 1m90
The team
This trail is guided by
experienced and skilled guides. Sebastien, the main guide is two-time Team Roping CHAMPION of France and Europe
and will propose an introduction to his passion over the week-end.
ACCOMODATION
You will be accommodated in a
typical Provencal Estate dating back from the 18th century. Each apartment can accommodate
4 people and has a double room + a bunk bed in the living room.
For couples, we propose a
lovely and original stay in our gipsy caravan !
Nestled in a garden
opening over olive groves in the Alpilles wooded hollow, our caravan offers a
romantic experience. Cosy and bohemian inspired, it provides the necessary
comfort and a direct contact with Nature.
Our guest house has been awarded the "Alpilles Natural Park" ecolabel, a symbol of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices.
MEALS
Everyday you will have hot or
cold lunch brought by a logistic car.
Breakfast and dinner are taken
at the guest house and cooked with our organic olive oil.
Christine will delight you
with typical provençal cuisine and exquisite home-cooked meals.
OUR LABELS
LABEL “Valeurs Alpilles Nature Park" reflects environmentally responsible and sustainable practices, which means
we commit to :
-
respect guidelines for environmental, social and economic issues
-
make you
discover the treasures of our territory
-
improve our
commitments and services
-
welcome you in a personalized and warm way
LABEL "Bienvenue
à la ferme" is an agritourism network uniting Farmers, Horse Farms, Breeders who propose to meet local farmers, see and experience life on the farm, and
find out how local food is produced.
LABEL “Cheval Etape” identifies stables which can accomodate horses at least one night as a
stopping place during horse rides, competitions, long lasting transport …etc…
Stables certified “Cheval Etape » offer :
-
indoor or outdoor accomodations for the horses
- facilities to take care of the horses and store the
equipment
- accomodation and catering solutions over an aera of 3kms
- the quality of natural environnement
- a direct access to riding itineraries
- Touristic informations, topo-guides and maps
