Complete Guide to the Lavender Fields of Provence¶

Visiting the lavender fields in the rolling foothills of Provence is a truly magical experience. Every year, between mid-June and early August, the green fields come alive into full bloom and transform into a sea of vivid purples across the plateaux, as far as the eye can see. There are countless lavender fields in the area and it’s easy to spend days exploring. Although there are many places to visit, this blog is focused on the Valensole lavender fields plateaux, located in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Verdon of Provence.

Best Time to Visit¶

The best time to see the lavender at full bloom in the region varies year by year, but in general, the blooms will peak around the third week of June until mid-July. Farmers normally start harvesting their fields between July and August, depending on the weather and the altitude of the fields. The exact timing of the harvest can vary from year to year. Unfortunately, due to the more common heat waves and droughts over the last couple of years, the blooms have been getting shorter every year. In 2022, the season only lasted 3-4 weeks until the harvest began, when normally it goes for 4-6 weeks.

If you are visiting in late June to mid-to-late July, then it’ll be perfect timing to go to the fields in Valensole. However, if you are planning for late July or early August, then I would suggest going to the lower Luberon area (between Apt and Lourmarin) or near Gordes like the Senanque Abbey. Those areas are typically harvested later. If you are only able to visit Provence later than that, then I would opt for areas like Sault, Banon or Drôme— they’re at a higher altitude so the lavender will be harvested later into August. The higher the altitude of the field, the later the flowers will bloom.

Transportation¶

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Valensole is by flying to Marseille and then hiring a car. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. I would recommend a car hire while staying in the area since taxis and rides shares will be limited and expensive.

Also, there are a lot of beautiful towns in the countryside that are only accessible by car. However, if you cannot or don’t want to drive, you can get to Valensole using public transport as well. If you want to take public transport, you have two options:

From Nice¶

The route is a little longer and more complicated without a car, but still doable. If you want to take public transit, you can also take the train or bus. Unfortunately, the only public transit routes that go to Valensole leave from either Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. Getting to either of those cities alone takes about three hours, so the entire trip could take more than six hours (each way).

From Marseille¶

From Aix-en-Provence¶

From Manosque¶

You made it to Provence! You have a couple of options to get to the lavender fields from downtown Manosque. If you want to go to Lavandes Angelvin, one of the most popular lavender fields, this is the way to get there.

Places to Visit¶

1. Explore the charming villages of Luberon¶

Aside from the lavender fields, this area in Provence is home to the beautiful region of Luberon. There are countless charming towns and villages to see there. Some of my favourites are Gordes and the Senanque Abbey, Roussillon, Ménerbes, Bonnieux and Lourmarin. If you're looking to explore some lesser-known destinations in the Luberon valley, here are some suggestions: Apt, Rustrel, Cucuron and Lauris. If you want to see a more comprehensive guide on where to go in Luberon, you can take a look at my blog post here:
Top Places to Visit in the Luberon Valley

2. Get lost in natural wonders¶

There are also a number of natural wonders in the region like Gorges du Verdon and Colorado Provençal. Gorges du Verdon, also known as the Grand Canyon of Europe, is just a short drive away and is a popular spot for hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. There is also the Colorado Provençal, a stunning natural park with vibrant red and orange cliffs, and take a walk along the Sentier des Ocres in Roussillon, a scenic trail that winds through the quarries.

3. Visit the picturesque town of Valensole¶

One place that is commonly overlooked during a visit to the lavender fields is the town of Valensole itself, but it really is a charming and picturesque town that is well worth a visit. The town is home to several historical buildings, including the 11^th-century Saint-Maximin church and the 17^th-century Chateau de Valensole. Visitors can also explore the town's many art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, which showcase the region's unique cuisine and local crafts. This charming town is nestled in the heart of Provence, surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and quaint villages.

4. Visit L'Occitane en Provence¶

If you’re passing by Manosque, make sure to visit L'Occitane en Provence and do a guided tour. During your visit, you can check out the factory, Mediterranean garden and Boutique Musée. L’Occitane is a well-known French beauty and skincare brand that was founded in Manosque in 1976—which is what makes this factory special. The brand is known for its use of natural and organic ingredients, particularly those that are sourced from the Provence region, such as lavender, rosemary, and shea butter. The original L'Occitane store in Manosque was a small shop selling essential oils and soaps made with local ingredients. Over the years, the brand has expanded to include a wide range of skincare, fragrance, and bath and body products, all of which are inspired by the natural beauty and traditions of the Provence region. Today, L'Occitane has stores in more than 90 countries around the world, but its headquarters and main production facilities are still located in Manosque.

5. Have a picnic in the lavender fields¶

If you want to spend an afternoon or sunset wining and dining on local Provençal cuisine, take a look at our Airbnb picnic and photo session experience. This picnic includes an assortment of fresh snacks and refreshments locally sourced from Provence. We also provide a photo session after the picnic to capture you in whichever beautiful lavender field of your choice, so you can look back on these memories forever.

6. Don’t forget to visit the sunflower fields in the area!¶

For exact locations, take a look at my Valensole blog on the best lavender fields to visit

Where to Stay¶

I would recommend staying in the town of Valensole since it's only a five-minute drive to the main field in the area (called Lavandes Angelvin). Plus, it's in the centre of the plateau, so you can drive to the other fields in the area within 20 minutes from there. If you are looking for a bigger city to stay in, the closest city easily accessible with transit is Manosque. It’s where I’d recommend guests to stay if they prefer not to rent a car.

Notes¶

There are lots of bees in the fields, but they are buzzing around during the day, I usually only start hearing them an hour after sunrise and they leave an hour before sunset. Since we began doing photo sessions in the fields, I have walked and run inside the fields all day and have never been stung. The only time I saw someone getting stung was when a little boy was going out of his way to squeeze the bees. The bees are pretty distracted by the lavender— like us! But keep this in mind in case you don’t feel comfortable around so many bees or if you are allergic.

Final Thoughts¶

Located between the foothills of Verdon Natural Regional Park and the Luberon valley of deepest Provence, the Valensole plateau is a true gem and a must-see destination for anyone travelling to the south of France. I love this place so much, especially during the summertime when the fields and villages are ready to show off their summer colours. If you are interested in photo sessions in the lavender fields of Provence, Jean-Claude & I will be available for photo sessions from mid-June to late July and are ready to capture you in beautiful Valensole!

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