A Surprise Picnic Proposal in the Valensole Lavender Fields¶
A Weekend Escape and Proposal from Paris¶
In early July, A and C travelled down from Paris for a weekend away in Provence. It was meant to be a relaxed Saturday escape, a chance to enjoy the countryside and the lavender season together.
C reached out to us beforehand with a plan. He told A they were simply booking one of our lavender picnic experiences. She knew about the picnic, but she had absolutely no idea that there would be a proposal or even a proper photo session involved.
The location they chose was our favourite sunset field, situated between Lavandes Angelvin and Valensole. The field does not have a specific name, but we love it because it offers direct sunset lighting from the back of the rows and it’s a bit quieter than some of the main fields. In the evening, the light pours across the lavender in the most beautiful way, creating a golden glow over the purple tones.
The Picnic Setup¶
The picnic itself was scheduled from 20:00 to 21:30. As always with our picnic sessions, the experience begins with time to relax and enjoy the setting. The focus is primarily on the picnic, with photography usually coming afterwards.
The lavender fields at that hour are peaceful and warm, with the sun beginning to lower behind the hills. However, C was understandably a little tense throughout the start of the evening. It is difficult to fully relax when you are carrying a ring in your pocket and waiting for the right moment. A sensed something was slightly unusual. She later admitted that the day had felt a little different, though she could not quite work out why.
The “Fake” Photo Session¶
To keep the surprise intact, we pretended that we were photographers just starting out and that asked them to use props like hats to throw her off. The moment felt playful and a little awkward, which only made what followed even more powerful.
Here’s some of the awkward photos we took at the beginning of the shoot to throw A off.
The Real Proposal¶
After the first minute of pretending, C proposed to A. Tears immediately filled her eyes. The emotion was genuine and overwhelming in the best possible way.
She had absolutely no idea it was coming.
The sunset light streamed through the lavender behind them, creating a golden halo effect as C asked the question properly. It was intimate and heartfelt.
Celebrating Afterwards¶
After the proposal, the atmosphere completely transformed. The tension disappeared, replaced with laughter, relief, and excitement. It made perfect sense that we moved into portraits straight away rather than waiting until later in the picnic. It is much easier to enjoy the evening once the big question has been asked.
We captured a mixture of candid celebration shots and more composed portraits among the lavender rows. The ring deserved its own moment as well. It was a stunning green stone, striking and unique, glowing beautifully in the soft sunset light. We photographed close-ups of the ring against the lavender, which complemented the colour perfectly.
Why We Love This Field for Proposals¶
This field between Lavandes Angelvin and Valensole is ideal for proposals at sunset. The direct backlighting enhances the lavender’s colour and creates depth in photographs. The rows stretch towards the horizon, making every moment feel cinematic and romantic.
For A and C, what began as a simple picnic during a weekend getaway from Paris turned into an unforgettable engagement. The combination of a relaxed setting, a playful cover story, and perfect golden light made this proposal one we will always remember. It was emotional, surprising, and completely worth the wait.
Planning Your Private Picnic¶
Contact us if you are interested in organising your private picnic in the Lavender Fields or in the French Riviera. We also host private picnics in the lavender fields of Provence during June & July:
Planning Your Own Proposal in the Lavender Fields of Provence?¶
If you're dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime proposal in a setting as breathtaking as this, we would love to help capture your story. Whether in the lavender fields, another town on the French Riviera, or another magical destination, we specialise in preserving the emotions and beauty of your most unforgettable moments.
Read our guide to our favourite proposal locations on the French Riviera: