6 spots to admire french lavender fields in bloom | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

The Chemin des lavandes in Sault

A walk in the midst of blue gold

The Chemin des Lavandes (Lavender road) in Sault blends the pleasure of a lovely walk and the discovery of a lavender field in flower, nestled near a charming village. An almost unavoidable way of visiting Provence and sharing some of its soul. The trail is a 4-km walking loop which goes through the Provencal landscapes and it’s simply amazing ! An easy 1 hour and 40 minute-walk for all ages, and a tourist activity that brings together parents and children. Interpretive panels are dotted along the path. An opportunity to find out a bit more about lavender with some notions of botany, culture and even distillation as the path goes through the biggest production area of true lavender in Europe. For the more athletic, you can do the discovery of the Plateau de Sault à Vélo, a 33-km circuit to discover Provence on a large scale. Other mauve favourites in the Vaucluse: admire the field of lavender planted in front of the Pont Saint-Bénezet bridge in Avignon, a stop near the lavender field of the Enclave des Papes or discover lavender-scented Provencal Aroma’plantes products in Sault.

The landscapes are beautiful from the end of June to the beginning of July.

The Valensole Plateau

Mythically graphic

This is the “postcard” of lavender fields in Provence. When the warm weather returns, a delicate scent invades the Valensole Plateau. Lavender and wheat fields stretch as far as the eye can see and over more than 800 km2 in varying shades of blues and gold. The colours change as the sun crosses the sky and if you want to grasp all the beauty of it, avoid the sun at its highest,as the view is better in a softer light. With its 300 days of sun per year, Provence has become a favourite region for this flower brought to France by the Phocaeans. A colourful, perfumed walk unfolds along the fields of lavender in bloom, but in order to respect the owners and the bees gathering pollen, please do not pick any…

You can book a tour with a guide, or visit the countryside near Valensole to admire the lavender fields in bloom and discover a postcard setting. You can also stop by local producers to buy dried lavender, essential oils, cosmetics, and many other products.

Terre Ugo in Aix-en-Provence

Lavender, a family affair

What should I visit in Provence? Head for Terres Ugo to discover the moving story of a Provencal lavender producer and his farm. Ugo is the grandfather who founded the family farm which follows the rhythm of the crops and the production of organic hybrid lavender. A sizeable agrotourism site which now stretches over 3 hectares and is home to more than 30,000 hybrid lavender plants.

The family home welcomes you in a very cosy atmosphere and takes you off to learn about lavender in a series of unusual workshops. Create your own herbal tea or lavender bags and watch demonstrations of distillation. Make the most too of the shop, the deckchairs and even the boules ground and the art centre! And in the summer, aperitifs and other friendly moments are on the menu.

Live an unforgettable sensory experience near Aix-en-Provence!

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Une publication partagée par TERRE UGO • Maison de Lavande (@terreugo)

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Une publication partagée par un MAS en PROVENCE (@un_mas_en_provence)

Un Mas en Provence in Bellegarde

From flower to cosmetics

Looking for something unusual to see in Provence? Come and discover the concept of a unique place dreamed up by Gaël Briez, son and grandson of farmers. Un Mas en Provence takes you on a discovery of the cultivation and production of lavender. You will have the opportunity to make the most of a guided tour of the farm on which aromatic plants are grown over an area of 3 hectares, among them lavender plants. Gaël will explain all the stages of manufacture and his principle of organic farming based on lunar cycles. And don’t forget to stop off at the shop before you leave! You’ll find a collection of cosmetics, essential oils and even bouquets, made with lavender of course.

Banon is also famous for its goat cheese. A gourmet break is a must!

On the Route de la Lavande, coming from Manosque

From village to village

There’s no better way of discovering this delicate plant on a large scale than the Route de la Lavande ! Drive along the little roads of the Pays de Forcalquier to see the Provencal villages of Montlaux, Banon and Simiane-la-Rotonde. On the way, the fields are well worth it! Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll see them as you go along a path, sometimes a little hidden and in different places each year. Believe us, it’s worth being patient and curious for this show. An amazing change of scene with these plains of blue gold which stretch as far as the eye can see, and of course, the heady scent of the flower. And don’t forget to take a picture of the famous hilltop village which looks as if it’s floating above a field of lavender…

Lavender in the Luberon valley

Apt Countryside Tour

Several producers cultivate lavender in the Pays d’Apt, in the heart of the Luberon. Taking the road to Buoux, you can stop at the Agnels distillery near Claparèdes. There, you can learn the secrets of distilling this beautiful purple flower and witness several lavender fields.

Two other famous french lavender spots await you between Cavaillon and Apt:

In Gordes, the Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque is surrounded by lavender plants and offers a magnificent backdrop for those photos.
In Cabrières-d’Avignon, the Lavender Museum Luberon reveals all the secrets of this iconic culture of Provence. It’s a must-visit on your lavender road trip.

The lavender season in Provence

Several varieties are cultivated in the south of France: fine lavender, aspic lavender, and lavandin.

The flowering of the lavender depends on the geographical situation and the altitude.

On the Valensole plateau, it starts in mid-June and lasts about a month.
Near Sault, the season starts in July and lasts until August.
Near Avignon, in the Comtat Venaissin and near Aix-en-Provence, the beginning of July is the best time to admire the lavender fields.

The beginning of the flowering season can vary each year depending on the weather conditions (rainfall, temperatures).

Are you staying in France? Some tourism professionals offer a full day trip from Paris to discover the lavender fields of Provence.