> Sport & leisure

Within easy reach of Le Mas d’Arvieux there is plenty to interest our guests of all ages.

Spend your days discovering the historic sites at Avignon, Arles, Nimes and the Pont du Gard. Wander through the charming towns and villages of Saint Remy, Les Baux, Gordes  and Tarascon. Experience the daily Provencal markets, shopping for souvenirs and antiques, whilst tasting the fresh local produce, and not to be missed…

a visit to the Camargue with its sandy beaches, famous pink flamingos, wild horses and bulls.

In the evenings dine out at fabulous gourmet restaurants or sample more simple Provencal cuisine, suitable for all tastes and budgets.

If you would rather stay in the relaxed atmosphere of our Mas, if requested in advance, we can prepare a tasty dinner for you or feel free to enjoy your evening picnic on the terrace.

For sport and other activities, you can choose amongst others between golf, walking, horse riding, cycling, and canoeing. For those who prefer something less energetic, why not try a cookery course, wine appreciation or French lessons; or for an unforgettable experience: ballooning over the Luberon.

The following pages will give you an idea of the variety of visits available in our region and perhaps help you to plan your holiday.

If all this sounds too energetic simply relax, enjoy the sunshine, cool off in our beautiful pool or spend a peaceful moment in our shaded gardens.

Which ever you choose, Carolyn and Alex are always on hand to ensure you enjoy a truly memorable holiday.

Sport and Leisure Activities :

Golf – Set within the beautiful and often stunning Provencal countryside, within one hours drive of Le Mas D’Arvieux, there are 15 golf courses which have been designed and maintained to a very high standard, the closest being just 20 minute drive away.  Most are 18 hole courses, with buggy and club hire available and golf lessons and tee times can usually be arranged in advance. So if you fancy a week or a weekend of golf, let us tailor a package for you, perhaps to include evening meals at our home after a hard day on the course! For partners or friends of golfers, there is plenty to do during the day and we are always pleased to offer some advice if required. If you would like further details, please telephone or send us an email.

Walking – Don’t forget to pack your comfortable walking shoes, as on foot is probably the best way to experience the beautiful Provencal countryside. Walks of all levels are accessible either directly from Le Mas D’Arvieux or from a short drive away. Guides and maps to some of the best walks in the local area are available for you to borrow.

Horse Riding – The people of Provence have a long and affectionate relationship with the horse, epitomized by the famous and beautiful white horses of the Camargue. If you wish to be part of this tradition, why not spend a morning or a day riding through the beautiful Provencal landscape. Close to Le Mas D’Arvieux there are a number of equestrian facilities catering for all ages and abilities. Riding lessons are also available. So saddle up and become one of Les Gardiens (Camargue cowboys) for a day.

Polo – For those who love horses and sport and wish to try something different, why not spend a morning or a few days mastering the basics of playing polo. Polo ponies are specially trained from an early age and the riding techniques are slightly different to normal riding. Some riding ability, whilst not necessary would be beneficial.

The polo school is 10 minutes drive from our house. Try this new riding experience; it may be the sport for you!

Canoeing – A fun day out for all the family, canoe downriver along Les gorges du Gardon, a UNESCO conservation area. You will be able to canoe under the Pont du Gard and have picnic and swimming stops along the way. The company that we recommend is fully licenced and approved by the French Ministry of Youth and Sports and they offer a mini bus service to take you back to your start point and car.

Hot Air ballooning - Flying over the Luberon in a hot-air balloon, leaving from Roussillon, gives you a completely different vision of Provence. Treat yourself to a flight, which is ideal for that special occasion. The company we recommend is registered with Civil Aviation for the Public Transport of Passengers.

Cycling, VTT ( Mountain Biking) and Quad biking – If you wish to see the sights of Provence in a more leisurely fashion, renting a bicycle for a day or a week is the ideal choice. Great for all the family to enjoy, professional bike / VTT and Quad rental is available in the village of Graveson, 5 minutes drive from Le Mas D’Arvieux. For cycling, we can provide you with some route suggestions for visiting the main towns and villages, taking in the beautiful Provence countryside, whilst avoiding all the main roads where possible.

For those wanting more excitement, Quad or mountain biking is a great alternative. Guided tours from 1 hour to a whole day can be arranged on specially prepared tracks and trails, taking in the local sights and history of the region.

French Lessons - If you need to brush up your French or even learn from the beginning we can arrange French lessons for a few hours, a few days or even a week. Please contact us for further details.

Cookery Courses - Learn to cook the traditional food of Provence. Our local chef will take you to the market in the morning where the fresh local ingredients are purchased, then its back to Le Mas d’Arvieux for the cooking lesson. You will be able to enjoy your all your hard work for lunch. Please contact us for further details.

French lessons / cookery course combined - We can arrange a combined course to suit you, please contact us for further details.

Yoga - If you enjoy yoga or would like to learn more about this discipline, we can arrange private yoga lessons at the Mas d’Arvieux..

Art Lessons - Drawing and Painting course, 9th - 12th October 2009. Please send an email for full details and prices.