Lavender routes in Provence

Jean Giono said that"lavender is the soul of Provence". We can only agree with him: lavender and Provence have a long and beautiful love affair. Intoxicating and fascinating, this flower is deeply rooted in Provençal culture.

InRoman times, lavender was already used to perfume baths and linen, and was classed as a "precious plant". In the Middle Ages, it was used for its medicinal, antibacterial and sedative properties. The first lavender fields as we know them date from the 19th century. The development of the perfume industry in Grasse greatly increased the cultivation of this plant with its distinctive fragrance.

Today, there are two different species: lavandin, which is more profitable but considered to be of lower quality, and fine lavender, which is smaller and more delicate. Also known as "true lavender", the latter is protected by an AOC (Protected Designation of Origin) and the essence of its flowers is mainly used to createlavender essential oil, one of Provence's flagship products. Although the production of lavender essential oil has become mechanised over time, there are still a few traditional distilleries in the region.

As with the wine routes, lavender is so famous that several circuits are dedicated to it. From the Drôme to the Alpes-Maritimes, via the Hautes-Alpes, the Vaucluse and the Alpes de Haute-Provence, there are plenty of ways to discover the fields of parma colour. A great way to visit the region. By car, motorbike, bike or on foot... take your pick. One thing's for sure, in Provence the sun always shines on the purple expanses.

The itineraries

There is not just one lavender route, but several that can be completed in one or more days. From Apt to Castellane via Valensole and Digne-les-Bains, a loop from Montélimar through Sault, Grasse and the Drôme valley or a circuit between Haute-Provence and the Gorges du Verdon... the choice is wide! However, there are a few unmissable spots in the region where you can discover all the beauty of Provence when the lavender is in bloom.

The Valensole plateau

Probably one of the best-known places to photograph lavender in flower, the Valensole plateau lies between the Durance valley and the Gorges du Verdon. Nicknamed the "granary of the region", it is home to fields of lavender in flower from mid-June onwards, transforming the landscape into a picture-postcard setting.

The plateau stretches over 800 square kilometres, and is home to numerous fields of lavandin and fine lavender, as well as almond and olive trees, typical of the region. This mix of landscapes makes the area a popular destination for tourists, who come from all over France and the rest of the world to admire these flower-filled expanses in summer.

Sénanque Abbey and the Claparèdes plateau

An emblematic tourist site, the Abbaye de Sénanque is a magnet for travellers. There's no denying it, here you are in the perfect setting for French Provence. In the foreground, lavender in all its splendour, in the background, a charming stone building and in the background, a rolling green landscape.

Sault and the Albion plateau

Sault is a small, typically Provencal village, surrounded by purple fields. Near the town, on the secondary roads, you'll find many lavender fields in bloom. If you're travelling by car, make sure you allow plenty of time for stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and, above all, the aromas.

Lavender is the ultimate emblem of Provence, the first thing you think of when you hear the name of this sweet region. That's why, if you're there at the right time of year, you absolutely must visit the lavender fields during your stay in Provence!

🗓️ When is the best time to admire the lavender fields?

Lavender only flowers for a few weeks, from mid-June to August. The harvest takes place in summer because of the heat, which 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.

🎉 Lavender has its own festival!

Every year, Valensole devotes the third Sunday in July to the lavender festival. The commune of Valensole is reputed to be the cradle of lavender production, so it's no surprise that this plant and its countless fields are celebrated in a convivial festival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. On the programme: guided tours, exhibitions, folk and musical shows...

👉 The village of Sault also organises a celebration dedicated to lavender on 15 August.

🌸 Lavender: a fragile flower to be preserved

Lavender growers deplore the behaviour of tourists on the land. Rubbish, flowers ripped out and trampled underfoot, forbidden areas invaded all the same. To be able to enjoy this beautiful spectacle for ever, you have to respect the work of the growers, and the same goes for all the flower fields.