The Valensole plateau and its lavender fields

Published on July 23, 2024 at 4:00 pm

The Pays du Verdon is not just a land of jagged, jagged and inaccessible landscapes, like its famous canyon. In fact, the geography of the Valensole plateau is quite the opposite. This vast, flat expanse of 800km² adjoins the course of the Verdon and the Lac de Sainte-Croix to the north: perched at an average altitude of 500m, the view is far-reaching, with some superb vistas over the region. But the main attraction of the Valensole plateau lies elsewhere: the lavender fields, which stretch as far as the eye can see, are as fragrant as they are photogenic! A veritable postcard of Haute-Provence, the Valensole plateau specialises in growing lavandin and fine lavender. As you follow the narrow country roads, you'll come across a pretty village here and a traditional distillery there, all accompanied by the song of the cicadas and the sweet smell of lavender... a dreamlike version of Provence?

The Valensole plateau

Summary

The Valensole plateau and lavender growing
A typically Provençal walk on the Valensole plateau
Discover the villages of the region
Where to sleep nearby?

The Valensole plateau and lavender growing

At the heart of the rugged landscape of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, the Valensole plateau stands out for its flat, even terrain: it is bounded by the Durance and Asse valleys to the north, and by the Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix to the south. From mid-June to mid-July, with the first real heat of summer, the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau are in bloom, with their bright purple hues contrasting with the azure sky, and the scent of lavender that we always associate with Provence... This unique landscape has become the epitome of a whole region!

Lavender growing on the Valensole plateau

The Valensole plateau, with its fertile sedimentary soils, has been farmed for a very long time: here and there you can find traces of the presence of the Romans as far back as Antiquity, who were already aware of the virtues of lavender. Before tourism, agriculture was the main source of wealth for the region's inhabitants: before lavender, almonds were the main crop until the 19th century. Almond trees in flower, along with olive trees, are still a feature of the Valensole plateau, their white petals heralding the arrival of spring. Another local speciality is the truffle!

Lavender in bloom in Valensole

Today, lavender is still the main crop grown on the Valensole plateau, and also its main tourist attraction! Lavender is grown in two different ways: lavandin, the most widespread, is used to make Marseille soap and local honey. Fine lavender, otherwise known as "true lavender", has an AOC (Protected Designation of Origin) and is used mainly to create lavender essential oil, one of the region's flagship products.

Landscape of the Valensole plateau

When is the best time to admire the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau?

Lavender flowers for just a few weeks, from mid-June to August. Harvesting takes place in summer, when the heat encourages the essence to rise in the flowers, which are then wilted and sent to the distillery. Depending on the location of the fields, and in particular the altitude, flowering can be more or less late.

A typically Provençal walk on the Valensole plateau

Like the wine route, the lavender route crosses the Valensole plateau, from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Valensole. This superb country route winds its way through lavender fields, with small villages and distilleries making up the main stages of the programme, not forgetting some superb views of Lake Sainte-Croix and the hills that enclose the Verdon canyon. For lavender lovers, the Routes de Lavande (Lavender Routes) which cross the plateau bring together over 1,000km of itineraries across Provence, on the theme of this emblematic plant of the region.

The village of Valensole

Discover the villages of the region

There are several villages worth visiting on the Valensole plateau. Start with Valensole itself, a sort of local lavender capital, famous for its distilleries set amidst vast fields of lavandin. Some of them are open to the public, with tours of the fields and facilities, and direct sales of soaps and essential oils - in short, something to take home as a sweet-smelling souvenir!

Valensole Lavender Festival

Another must-see is Riez, a small village in the heart of the Valensole plateau, with its historic heritage, including an ancient colonnade inherited from the Romans and a 5th-century Paleo-Christian baptistery. Then there's Allemagne-en-Provence, a peaceful Provencal village with a castle combining medieval and Renaissance influences...

Village of Riez en Provence

Where can you buy lavender and local produce on the Valensole plateau?

Angelvin Lavender in Valensole
Terraroma Jaubert in Valensole
Maison du Pays du Verdon in Allemagne-en-Provence
La Maison du Lavandin in Sainte-Croix de Verdon

During your holiday in the Gorges du Verdon, be sure to make at least one excursion to the Valensole plateau. Some people even opt to stay directly on the plateau, from where they radiate out over the surrounding area. An idea worth remembering!