Lavender field Provence France. Lavender fields in the province of Provence, France. Where are the lavender fields?
Picturesque landscapes that will take your breath away, hearty dinners and delicious wines, the polyphonic chirping of cicadas and birdsong - this is what I primarily associate with Provence and France. And of course, Provence for me is the same lavender, photographs of which are exactly the same symbol of France as the Eiffel Tower.
But traveling on your own to find blooming lavender in Provence has many nuances that you should be aware of if, like me, you dream of seeing this lavender sea and the rural side of France with your own eyes.
Could it be possible to come up with a better advertisement for Provence than the paintings of famous artists? For whom Provence has always been a source of inspiration and actually showed the world such names as Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso and many others.
The pastoral landscapes of Provence are an invariable part of many French films and famous literary works. I saw, read and heard so much about Provence that traveling there was (and remains, because I haven’t seen everything there 8) a great tourist dream
Well, after reading “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mile, my decision to go to Provence for at least a week became decisive and so we began preparing for the trip.
Surprisingly, there is not much information about traveling to Provence on your own to look for lavender fields. (especially without a car).
I will share the basic information that all travelers who want to include a visit to lavender fields in their travel program in France should know.
From mid-June until almost the end of August, the lavender fields of Provence bloom.
In the Luberon region and the Rhone Valley, lavender blooms in mid-June. On the plateau of Valensole and Drome Provençal - in early July.
The Sault area blooms in mid-July.
The peak of lavender flowering in Provence is July-August. The lavender harvest occurs from July to September.
Welcome to Provence or watch out for snakes!
Looking at all these breathtaking photos of lavender on stock photo sites, where girls with carefree faces are running through lavender fields, I could not imagine how unsafe this activity is.
Our guide immediately warned - do not lean towards the lavender bushes and do not go too deep, here vipers really like to hide in the shade of lavender. So, after this warning, I would not even run through these fields at gunpoint, feigning incredible pleasure from being in such beauty.
The most prudent thing was to listen to the words of the guide, because in the first couple of days in Provence I had already encountered several rather large snakes and regretted that I had not brought wading boots on the trip.
To be honest, in tropical Thailand I saw snakes much less frequently, even on excursions through the jungle, than in the courtyard of our Provençal estate where we were staying.
So, already on the first day, these meetings discouraged me from not only walking here, but also riding a rented bicycle, as we had originally planned. After all, snakes often crawl out to warm themselves on the hot asphalt of roads. A car can run over a snake without any damage, but on a bicycle it’s not so safe. Who knows how to go around a snake - from the front or the back? Perhaps she will crawl away when she sees me, or maybe she will be angry that I am disturbing her peace and will overtake me? In general, fear and horror are continuous and completely unexpected.
So if you are planning a romantic photo shoot in the fields of Provence, take waist-high rubber boots. Now I definitely won’t go there without the swampers)))
Territories with lavender fields
The lavender fields of Provence occupy several districts (pays)
— Pays d’Apt - Luberon (where I ended up going)
— Pays de Buech - Baronnies
—Pays de Digne
— Pays de Forcalquier et Montagne de Lure
— Pays de Sault et du Ventoux
— Pays de Valensole et du Verdon
—Drome Provençale
— Vallée de la Drôme - Diois
Driving routes with blooming lavender fields along the road:
Car rental in Provence:
I found the best deals for car rental in Marseille, in the cities of the Cote d'Azur (Nice, Cannes, etc. a car costs much more)
Important lavender addresses in Provence on the map
You can choose the most interesting ones to visit, or those that will be located near your accommodation:
The largest lavender farms in Provence
La Ferme de Gerbaud
The farm is not only about lavender, there is also a whole farm with horses, cows and donkeys.
The farm is open to tourists from April to October on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 pm, in November and March on Saturdays at 3 pm.
The tour takes 90 minutes and is conducted in English or French.
Farm address:
La Ferme de Gerbaud, Lourmarin 84160 France
http://www.plantes-aromatiques-provence.com
Tel: 04 90 68 11 83
Ho! Bouquet de lavender
The farm is open to visitors from late April to mid-November. Here you can buy essential oils and various lavender products.
Address:
Ferrassieres 26570 France
http://www.hobouquetdelavande.com/
0475288752
Les Lavandes du Gaec Champelle
The farm is open to tour groups by appointment. There is also a shop selling lavender souvenirs, which is open from April to October.
Address:
Sault France
http://www.gaec-champelle.fr
04 90 64 01 50
Lavender processing plants
GAEC Aroma'Plantes
Farm with lavender processing plant, operating since 1978. Here you can buy dried lavender, essential oils, aromatic water, alcoholic drinks and syrup.
It is open all year round and here you can walk around the farm and taste the distillery’s distillery products for free
Address:
GAEC Aroma'Plantes
Route du Ventoux "La Parente"
Sault 84390 France
http://www.distillerie-aromaplantes.com/
Tel: 04 90 64 04 02 / 04 90 64 14 73
Distillerie les Coulets
Traditional lavender distillery, open all year round to sell lavender souvenirs.
Visits to the plant in July-August from 9-12.00 and 14-16.00 are free.
Address:
Distillerie les Coulets
Hameau les Coulets Route de Rustrel
Apt 84400 France
Tel: 04 90 74 07 55
Distillerie du Vallon
Free visits to the plant from July 25 to August 25.
Address:
Distillerie du Vallon
Le Vallon Route des Michouilles
Sault 84390 France
Tel: 04 90 64 14 83
Distillerie Les Agnels
The Lavender Distillery is open all year, selling organic essential oils. What’s noteworthy is that there is a healing pool with lavender water.
Address:
route de Buoux Apt France
http://www.lesagnels.com/
04 90 04 77 00
Lavender Museum in Provence Musée de la Lavande
Here you will see the history of lavender processing from the 16th century to the present day, and in general you will learn everything you wanted to know about lavender, but were afraid to ask.
Address:
Musée de la Lavande
276 Route de Gordes
CS50016 - D2
84220 COUSTELLET
Tel: 04 90 76 91 23
http://www.museedelalavande.com/en/
For individual visits to the museum the following conditions apply:
Ticket adult: 6.80 €, children under 15 years old accompanied by parents free. The last ticket is sold half an hour before closing.
Free audio guides in 10 languages, incl. in Russian
Guided tours run from 13.30-17.00 daily from May to September.
The museum itself is open 7 days a week from February 1 to December 31 (closed at Christmas - December 25)
Opening hours:
February-April and from October to December from 9.00 to 12.15 and from 14.00 to 18.00
May-September from 9.00-19.00 non-stop9 to 7 non-stop
The museum is closed in January.
Schedule of lavender festivals in Provence
Riez: last days of July - Lavender fete
Valensole: Lavender fête. Annual lavender festival in the second half of July (usually the third Sunday of July)
Digne: Lavender Parade, every year in early August. At the end of August is Lavender Day.
Thorame-Haute: Lavender fête: 2nd weekend of August
Esparron sur Verdon: lavender festival in mid-August
Sault: mid-August (August 14 - 15) - lavender festival, lavender picking competitions, flower crews
Valreas: lavender parade, flower carriages, folk performances. Every year on the first weekend of August.
Festivals and Corsos de Lavande
July 14 Apt- Fête de la lavender
July - 2nd half of Riez- Fête de la lavender
July -2nd half of Valensole- Fête de la lavender
August, 1st weekend Valré s - Corso de la lavande.
August, beginning of Digne-les-Bains- Corso de la lavender
August, mid Esparron-sur-Verdon- Fête de la lavender
August, mid Riez- Journée du miel et de la lavande (honey and lavender)
August, mid Sault- Fête de la lavande.
Buy air tickets to Provence
Book hotels in Provence
Well, that’s it, I think I told you some useful information, and now I can talk about my adventures in Provence with peace of mind. 8) If you have any questions, be sure to ask, I know, I’ll definitely tell you more.
- For those who want to see cherry blossoms or walk through a purple lavender field, Skyscanner talks about the best places in the world where you can admire the flowers, and advises when and how best to get there:
And subscribe to my blog updates so you don’t miss the continuation of my Provençal photo stories.
My current Provencal route included very interesting and picturesque places - an ancient town Apt, where delicious confits are made from fruits, the medieval residence of the popes - the city Avignon, village Roussillon, famous for its ocher rocks and similar to its big brother from America - the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and another village Proud, located on a high cliff.
About mine from the year before last trip to France and about a thousand-year history from my recent trip, I have already written my posts, and you can even read and watch them 8)
Inspiring with their wonderful aroma, lavender fields excite romantics and painters with their blooms. Lilac and blue bushes , planted exactly in a row, amaze with their natural perfection. The lavender flower itself is not very noticeable, but when the even bushes of a lilac shade are covered with flowers, bees from all over the area flock to this smell. But not only insects have chosen these plants.
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When does lavender bloom?
Every year, tourists, photographers and painters visit the lavender fields, hoping to remember this mesmerizing moment. The flowering time of lavender in Provence begins in mid-June, in some places it can bloom until the end of August. It depends on the area, climate and plant variety. But if you want to see this magnificent spectacle while visiting France, then it is better to come to the province by the end of June. The most beautiful flowering in mid-July. The plant begins to be collected at this time.
Where are the lavender fields?
Lavender fields can be found not only in France. This plant grows in Latvia. But the most extensive and picturesque fields are located in the province of Provence in the south of France. It is there that 80% of the world's lavender harvest is harvested.
For that, to find lavender fields in Provence in France it is necessary to figure out where this plant is most often found. In the province of Provence, this plant can be found in many places. It is the official symbol of the region. Farmers plant it on their plots. It is also grown in fields of various sizes. But the most picturesque and endless fields can be found in three regions of Provence:
- Alps of Haute Provence.
- Drôme-Provençal.
- Vaucluse.
What tours are there for lavender blossoms?
To enjoy the sight and aroma of blooming lavender, you can go on a sightseeing tour from Nice or Marseille, as well as other cities in the south of France. The excursion program usually includes a visit to the largest Valensole valley with blooming lavender. A variety of plant known as lavender is grown here.
It's more fragrant and has large flowers. You don't need to climb high to see it. But such a plant does not have the healing properties that mountain lavender has. Lavender is used only in the production of cosmetics. It is against the background of such bright fields that excellent and mesmerizing shots are obtained. Very often, plans made in this area are used to produce postcards.
Lavender field tours often include visits to farms where you can learn about the process of producing lavender oil and growing the plant. Another place to visit is the Lavender Museum, located in the small town of Custelle. There you can get acquainted with the flower itself, its types and learn how the essence is extracted from it. The extracted essence is used in cosmetic production. There is also a small shop where you can buy products using lavender. In the store you can even buy honey collected by bees from these fields.
In addition, fairs and festivals dedicated to this plant are held every year. One of these festivals takes place in the town of Soult. A huge lavender field stretched out in front of him.
The following products can be purchased at the fair:
- Lavender honey
- Ice cream.
- Soap with lavender.
- Cosmetics based on lavender oil.
At each fair, various shows dedicated to this plant are held. Competitions are held among festival guests. Everyone has the opportunity not only to buy lavender and products based on it, but also to collect it with their own hands. The festival is held on August 15 and is dedicated to the harvest of the plant. But if you arrive in this area earlier, you can visit the lavender fields while hiking. There are walking routes everywhere that will allow you to enjoy all the beauty of the fields with these flowers.
Lavender looks incredibly beautiful in photographs taken at the time of flowering.
How to get to Provence
The most convenient way to get to the lavender fields is by car. There is no railway transport to the fields. It is better to start your trip from or Marseille. The path can be laid using the route map to search for fields. If you don't have a car, you can get to the lavender fields by train, reaching Carpentrass, and then by bus going to the ancient city of Seau, passing lavender fields along the way. If you are in good physical condition, you can go explore the lavender fields on a bicycle. But you just need to remember that the road will not be easy. Along the way you will have to overcome hills and mountains at temperatures of 30-35 degrees Celsius.
Routes in Provence
On a trip to Provence It's better to go by car. This will guarantee that you will be able to visit beautiful and interesting places. Public transport is not available everywhere. The most interesting places located in Provence:
- Plateau de Valensole. There are quite a few lavender fields located in a small area. To see them all, you need to take the D6 highway towards the north. You can return along the D8 highway.
- Mont ven Toux. In this area, the fields are located in the vicinity of the settlements of So, Gord and Apt. But one, but quite large, lavender field is located in the Senangue Abbey.
- Verdon Gorge. 45 kilometers from Castellane towards the west, there are lavender fields. In order to get to them, you need to drive through the beautiful village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Right from the village you can see lavender fields.
The most beautiful and memorable photographs of lavender fields are taken by tourists who are lucky enough to go on such a trip.
Lavender fields are another of the natural wonders of France, a true global brand and an integral part of Provence. I have been planning a trip here for several years, and once I saw this splendor, I already want to come back here again. Lavender blooms between mid-June and late August in different areas of Provence, but the canton of Valensole is considered one of the most famous places. I checked into a campsite called Lavender on the outskirts of the town of Valensole and set off to discover this tempting region.
The long road from Paris (more than 800 km) at the entrance to Valensole pleases with mountains, hills, vineyards and cypress trees, and in the last kilometers dark purple spots of lavender fields suddenly appear in the summer haze.
On the main road there are these funny posters warning drivers about tourists who have lost their heads. Here you can really forget about the most basic things from the incredible landscapes and floral honey aromas.
The air is filled with the constant buzz of bees collecting nectar and pollen. You have to put up with these numerous, noisy, but peaceful neighbors in the fields.
This is what the photographer sees through the lens.
The reality is somewhat different. There are quite a lot of tourists and, naturally, no one wants to miss their chance to take a photo for social networks in such an incredible place. The unspoken rule is to find your row and not unnecessarily enter neighboring ones occupied by other photographers.
Next to the field there is a factory of the company Angelvin - a manufacturer of essential oils, soap and cologne. From lavender, naturally.
Lavender close up. In fact, this is not a standard lavender, but a hybrid lavender. Rows of lavender look much neater than rows of lavender because all the bushes are almost identical to each other.
Judge for yourself.
One of the trees, next to which newlyweds like to take pictures, vaguely resembles a heart.
Just two trees and a lavender field - but what pictures you get!
You can even try to beat an ordinary pillar.
And all around are village houses, some kind of agricultural equipment and blue mountains on the horizon. It’s not for nothing that this department is called the Alpes of Haute-Provence.
During filming, even an iron scrap sticking out of the ground can serve as a hat hanger.
Around the fields are typical Provençal towns and villages with colorful, pastel houses, quiet squares and fountains.
On such streets it is good to sit in a cafe in the fresh air, drink coffee and eat it with ice cream... with lavender flavor.
In the morning, a photo shoot was planned at dawn, and I remember how hard it was to crawl out of the tent into the still-unwarmed air, wading through fragments of a sound sleep. But all the efforts paid off with masterpiece photographs. Without thinking twice, we went to an already familiar point, so as not to be distracted by searching for angles.
It seems that in July Provence it should be hot all day, but on the Valensole plateau it was quite cool in the morning.
Fortunately, with the first rays of the sun, the mercury began to rise.
At dawn there are no random tourists, but professional photographers are already in ambush, so the rules should be followed the same as before. The main thing is not to get into your colleague’s frame.
To be honest, I expected a little more in terms of the number and variety of fields. There are, of course, quite a few of them in the Valensole area, but you have to try hard to find a photogenic view. Maybe you just need to know the best places. In any case, for the first time everything was just great.
Here the lavender field borders on the sunflower field. Sunflowers are a little less popular, but also an excellent topic for photographs.
In conclusion, I will say that lavender fields are one of the few places where even an amateur can take simply masterpiece photographs. Rows of lavender are the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot. Be sure to take advantage if you find yourself in these parts. By the way, if you already have a photo in lavender or with lavender, share it in the comments. It would be interesting to compare impressions and perspectives.
Everyone knows that lavender fields are located in Provence. But where exactly? Which airport should you fly to? To Marseille, Nice? How can you get to the lavender fields without a car? When does lavender bloom? Find answers to all these questions in today's article. about the blue gold of France.
In fact, there are many lavender fields in France. There are even special routes called “Lavender Roads” (Les Routes de la Lavande). Here they are marked on the map.
I'll tell you about a trip to the lavender fields that are located in Valensole- a small Provençal town located between the city of Manosque and the Verdon nature reserve.
When to go?
Lavender blooms in Valensole from the end of June to the 15th of July. Do not believe numerous websites that flowering can be seen until the end of August. Perhaps in other places, but not in Valensole. By August, the lavender is harvested and only empty fields await you.
How to get there?
Valensole is located in the department Alpes Haute Provence. The closest airports are Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, but flying to them from Russia is long and expensive.
The best option is buy a ticket to Paris and directly from Paris Aéroport Roissy to Aix-en-Provence by high-speed train(TGV). The train takes 3h20 minutes. See tickets on the Ouigo website. They have inexpensive tickets compared to trains leaving from central Paris. The only downside is that Ouigo trains do not arrive in the center of Aix-en-Provence, but you can easily get from the station to the center by bus for a few euros.
Okay, we got to Aix-en-Provence, but how to get further to the fields if you don’t have a car?
From the bus station in Aix-en-Provence (Aix-en-Province Gare routière) we take the on the bus to the town of Manosque. Here is a link to the Bus Schedule in 2019. We get off at the bus stop Manosque Garerouter. The fare in 2019 is 9 euros. It is more profitable to take a round-trip ticket.
From Manosque to Valensole is about 15 km. However, only 4 buses go there per day and only on weekdays. The last bus back from Valensole leaves at 13.10. Very inconvenient, the option of buses was no longer available.
We decided to rent electric bikes. On them you can accelerate up to 50 km/h downhill. Fast and useful!
At the Manosque bus station there is a very cute little shop called La Station de Lavande.
The owner called representatives of the local tourism office and we rented wonderful electric bikes from them. Purple, lavender color. The rental cost was about 20 euros for half a day and 40 euros for the whole day.
It's easy to find your way to Valensole by following the signs.
I will long remember the moment when I was riding a bicycle to the lavender fields. A feeling of boundless happiness, the wind blowing your hair, alluring aromas around. I clearly imagined myself as the heroine of a French film from the 60s.
And here are the lavender fields themselves! A light blue and almost cloudless sky overhead, the enchanting aroma of lavender, the hum of bees. Just a fairy tale!
On a huge plateau covered with lavender to the very horizon, you can get lost for a long time, inhaling the unique smells.
In addition to lavender fields, Valensole is also famous for its olive groves and sunflower fields. The L’Occitane cosmetics factory is also located nearby. Amazing place.
Where to live?
The trip to the lavender fields occurred during my Parisian student years, so we saved as much as we could. We lived for free in Aix-en-Provence by couchsurfing with a hospitable Frenchman. For those unfamiliar with the system, check out the website https://www.couchsurfing.com/.
There are also many offers for housing in Aix-en-Provence, Manosque, and even in Valensole itself on the airbnb website. By the way, I have prepared for you a discount of more than 2,000 rubles on your first trip, get it via the link www.airbnb.ru
As you can see, the trip to the fields turned out to be quite inexpensive. We did not find a similar route map on the Internet when we were preparing for the trip. The scheme was built by trial and error, but it works well. Many of my friends have already used my tips to see the miracle of lavender fields without a car.
Come to Valensole! I am sure that the lavender fields will not leave anyone indifferent.
Helpful information! Updated in 2019
Map of French regions with approximate lavender flowering dates for 2019.
Surely everyone has read the fairy tale story “The Wizard of the Emerald City” by Alexander Volkov. A little girl was traveling with her friends through a small town decorated with emerald stones. It would seem that these are all fairy tales and such cities do not exist. But maybe there is no emerald city, but there is a purple one! Lilac town in France. I mean the lavender fields of Provence.
Where are the lavender fields?
You can get into this amazing fairy tale of France if you visit Provence, or rather go to Drôme Provence in the high Vaucluse - the Alps of Haute-Provence. And somewhere there you will find peace of mind.
In the lilac-lilac city there was a lilac-lilac field with lilac-lilac flowers and a lilac-lilac sky. This is how lavender fields can be described.
Endless purple fields, paths, clean fresh air full of lavender aroma. What else do you need for peace and relaxation in nature!? This endless carpet of lavender flowers is simply mesmerizing! It not only pleases the eye, but also warms the soul!
Finding yourself in the middle of such a field, you want to jump, scream, and fly! Incredible and magical!
And you know, such an environment inspires creativity! So, if you are a creative person and are looking for inspiration, then especially come here.
When is the best time to visit the lavender fields of Provence?
To be sure to see all this beauty with your own eyes, it is recommended to visit the lavender fields at a favorable time for this, more precisely from the end of July to August. It is during this period of the year that lavender blooms in full force.
In addition, in August you can visit lavender processing factories. And even if you are lucky, you will be able to participate in the process itself. You will see how essential oils are obtained from a common plant. And the air full of the aroma of lavender will be remembered for a lifetime!
As you know, lavender sprigs are very often used in folk medicine. They relieve fatigue and help restore strength.
Attractions in Provence
There is so much more to admire in Provence! For example, the northeastern part of Provence is interesting in both winter and summer. In warm weather, it’s nice to just stroll here and enjoy the beauty of narrow river gorges, pine forests and pastures, and in winter you can ski up the mountains. And above Tarascon rise the majestic walls of a 15th century castle in the Gothic style. It will interest you with its elegant and exclusive interior.
The south of Provence will also not leave you indifferent. It will captivate you with one of the most powerful natural springs in the world - the Vaucluse spring. And the Sarg River will surprise you with its most picturesque view. If you visit the village of Vaucluse, you can visit the Gofret Eco-Museum with a collection of Nativity figures of saints. If you wish, you can also visit the Vallis Clausa paper mill and the nearby art market. Nearby is the Museum of the Second World War and the Petrarch Museum.
In a word, Provence and its picturesque flowering endless fields cannot be missed! And if you have the chance and desire to go to this most picturesque corner of the earth, don’t hesitate for a minute! Go there!
Yes, there are many beautiful places on earth. Each one is special in its own way.
Where are the lavender fields of Provence located on the map?
