best time to visit provence lavender fields

Complete Guide to Visiting the Lavender Fields in Provence

Visiting the lavender fields in Provence was one of my biggest dreams ever since I saw the picture-perfect purple rows of lavenders all over Instagram.

I finally had the chance to visit in 2020 and let me tell you something: the lavender fields are even more beautiful in real life than in the pictures!

If you’re also dreaming of visiting Provence, you are in the right place! In this guide, I gathered all the important information that you need to know before visiting the lavender fields in Provence including tips about where to stay, how to get there, and where to find the most beautiful fields.

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

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Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit the Lavender Fields in Provence

The lavender fields in Provence are truly one of the best dream destinations in the world but if you want to see the lavenders in their full glory, you need to be well aware of your timing.

So let’s start with the most important thing: when is the best time to visit Provence to see the lavender fields? As the lavenders only bloom for a short period of time, your timing is really crucial as it can make or break your whole trip.

The general rule of thumb is that the lavender fields usually bloom between mid-June and mid-July. Of course, it can vary a bit based on the weather conditions so the timing of the full bloom can be slightly different every year.

It’s best to do a little research before your trip just to be on the safe side, but generally, the best time to visit the lavender fields in Provence is the last week of June or the first week of July.

The school holidays in France usually start after the first week of July so if you’re planning to visit after, you will find more tourists in the area as the locals also like spending their summer vacation in Provence.

Although lavenders can technically bloom until August, most of the fields are being harvested in the middle of July so the farmers can extract the lavender oil. That being said, it’s still possible to find some lavender fields in August but bear in mind that the most beautiful ones will be already gone by this time.

Based on all this, we decided to visit in the first week of July (specifically from 1st July to 5th July) and it was a perfect time. The lavender fields were already in full bloom and we could also find blooming sage fields and sunflower fields as well. It was also perfect weather-wise as it didn’t rain and every day was sunny and hot.

What is the Weather Like in Provence During the Lavender Season

Just like the other Mediterranean areas, Provence is usually hot and sunny in the summer with little to no rainfall. As the lavender season falls between mid-June and mid-July, be prepared for scorching hot days with an average temperature of 27-30ºC (80-86ºF).

However, the mornings and evenings tend to be a lot colder, especially when the weather is windy. Therefore it’s important to pack a sweater or a light jacket as well – trust me, you’re gonna need it!

As there are practically no shades on the lavender fields, make sure to protect yourself from the sun during the day by wearing sunglasses and hats and applying sunscreen both on your face and body. It’s also important to have plenty of water with you to avoid dehydration.

How to Get to Provence

The closest airport to the lavender fields in Provence is located in Marseille so if you’re planning to arrive from another country, this is your best option. The most beautiful lavender fields are located around Valensole and it takes around 1 hour to get there from Marseille by car.

Another option is to fly to Nice, from there it takes around 2.5 hours to reach Valensole. Although it’s a longer ride, if you can find cheaper tickets to Nice it can still be a great option for you.

Especially if you’re planning to visit the Cote d’Azur region anyways! If you’re planning to do so, you might be interested in this one day in Nice itinerary or the best day trips from Nice as well.

You can also visit Provence from Paris , but bear in mind that it’s going to be a really long ride. It takes around 7.5 hours to reach Valensole by car without any stops. So in reality, it will be more than 8 hours and on top of that, you will need to pay a lot for the toll fees as well.

Another option is to take the train from Paris but since there is no direct route, first you need to take the TGV to Aix-en-Provence and then change to another train to Manosque-Gréoux-les-Bains. The whole journey takes around 5 hours in total and it costs between €70-100 per person.

How to Get Around in Provence

Having a car in Provence is a MUST (yes, with capital letters!). Seriously, there are basically no other options for getting around as there is no public transportation in the area.

The fields and villages are quite far from each other, it takes anywhere between 10 minutes and 1 hour to get there by car depending on your location and where you want to go, so walking is not an option.

If you’re flying to France, you will need to rent a car at the airport to be able to get around. Unfortunately car rental is pretty expensive in France.

For instance, it costs around €250-300 to rent a small car at Marseille Airport for 5 days (of course prices can vary based on your preferences, this rate is based on my independent research at the time of writing and I can not guarantee this rate in any way).

On top of that, you will need to pay for fuel and toll fees but luckily most of the roads are free to use in Provence.

On the bright side, parking is free almost everywhere and since the lavender fields are located near the roads, you can basically stop anywhere without paying for parking. That being said, if you’re planning to visit the nearby towns, always check the signs if there are any parking fees or not because it always depends on the location.

Bring your own car

If you live in one of the neighboring countries, it might make sense to visit Provence in your own car to save some money. Of course, it depends on your individual situation, so it’s worth doing a calculation before your trip whether it’s worth taking your own car or not.

As an advantage, you don’t need to pay for flight tickets and car rental, but on the other hand, it might be expensive to get there due to the tolls and you need to calculate the time of driving as well.

Organized tours

It’s possible to visit the lavender fields with an organized tour as well but the options are very limited. I would still recommend having your own car but if you don’t drive, organized tours can be a great option for you.

Keep in mind that most tours depart from bigger cities like Avignon, Aix-en Provence, or Nice so you will need to stay in one of these cities to be able to attend a tour.

Below you can find some of the most recommended tours, they all have amazing ratings and they usually cost between €80-150 per person depending on the activities and the duration.

Where to Stay in Provence

Although you can find lavender fields basically all over Provence, the most beautiful (hence most popular) fields are located around Valensole so if you’re planning to visit Provence (especially for the first time), it’s worth staying in the nearby area. The three best options to stay in are Valensole, Manosque, and Riez.

It’s important to keep in mind that Provence is really popular in the lavender season so you should book your accommodation way in advance to avoid higher prices or lack of places to stay in. It’s worth taking a look at your options at least 6 months in advance!

Since the best fields are scattered around Valensole it would make sense to stay there but since it’s a really small town, I wouldn’t recommend it.

First of all, there are very limited options to choose from when it comes to accommodation and on top of that, you will not find that many restaurants or things to do in the town either.

The only advantage is that since it’s close to the fields, it only takes around 5-20 minutes to get there by car, depending on which field you’re planning to visit. You can check all the available accommodations in Valensole here !

Manosque is one of the best places to stay if you’re planning to visit the lavender fields in Provence. Since it’s one of the biggest towns in the area you will find many accommodation options for any budget and there are many great restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets in Manosque as well.

Not to mention that the town is super cute, you can also spend half a day wandering around the cobbled streets in the old town. We also stayed there and absolutely loved it!

The only disadvantage is that it’s a bit further away from the fields since it’s located 20 km (12.5 miles) west of Valensole (around 20-25 minutes by car).

This means that you will need to drive around 20-40 minutes to reach the fields from Manosque which might seem a bit too much, but in reality, it was not an issue for us.

On the bright side, if you’re planning to visit other towns in Provence like Roussillon on Gordes (more about them later), Manosque is closer to them than Valensole! You can check all the accommodations in Manosque here .

Riez is another great option if you want to stay close to the lavender fields. It’s located 15 km (9.3 miles) east of Valensole (20 minutes by car) but since there are many lavender fields between the two cities, you don’t need to drive around that much.

Keep in mind that Riez is also a little town just like Valensole, so you will not find so many hotels or restaurants there either. You can check all the accommodations in Riez here !

Where to Find the Best Lavender Fields in Provence

If you’ve been reading the previous sections of this post, you already know that the best lavender fields in Provence are located near Valensole. Basically, you can find lavender fields everywhere, seriously, you can’t really drive for 5 minutes without spotting another lavender field.

The best roads to follow is D6 (Route de Manosque) which coming from Manosque to Riez and D8 (Route de Départementale) from Valensole to Puimoisson but you can also spot pretty lavender fields along D953 between Puimoisson and Riez.

It’s completely free to visit the lavender fields so whenever you find one you like, just park by the road and enjoy the view!

Although all fields are beautiful, there are some lavender fields in particular that are incredibly picturesque. I will share my favorites below with their exact locations!

UPDATE 2023: It looks like due to crop rotation, the below fields are now wheat fields in the 2023 season. Don’t worry though, you can still find many amazing lavender fields in Provence, and who knows, maybe these fields will be lavender fields once again next year!

Lavandes Angelevin

Coordinates on Google Maps: 43.822054 5.937107

The field called Lavandes Angelevin is one of the most popular ones in the area and it’s also famous for the heart-shaped tree on the hillside. It’s located 5 km (3.1 miles) from Valensole in the direction of Manosque along the D6 road.

Since the rows of lavenders are located on a hill, it’s really picturesque – no wonder why it’s one of the most beloved locations for photographers.

There is a big parking lot on the other side of the road and the parking is free. Since it’s one of the most beautiful lavender fields be prepared for the crowds, especially during the day.

However, since the field is huge there is plenty of room for everyone! There is bigger space between the rows so it’s really easy to walk between the lavenders.

The best time to visit this field is at sunset, as the sun is setting right behind the hill and the trees. Sunrise is another great time for visiting, especially because you will have the field all to yourself!

We visited this field three times during our stay, once for sunrise and twice for sunset – that’s how much we loved it!

Bonus tip: You can also find a sunflower field right next to the lavender field so it’s worth taking some pictures there as well! Unfortunately, there is a big gap between the lavenders and the sunflowers so it’s not that perfect, but I loved taking photos just with the sunflowers too.

Tiny house in the valley

Coordinates on Google Maps: 43.893751 6.116192

This field is located 15 km (9.3 miles) from Valensole in the direction of Puimoisson, you just simply need to follow the D8 road until you reach the above coordinates.

You will find a tiny house in the middle of the field but since it’s in a valley, you will barely see its top from the road. We almost missed it because of this so trust me, the house is there, even if you can barely see it!

The lavender field is huge and the tiny house is located almost in the middle so, in order to get closer, you need to walk a lot between the flowers.

This field is really different from Lavandes Angelevin as the rows are much closer to each other and the bushes are bigger, therefore it’s much harder to walk between the rows. Please be really careful where you step and don’t damage the lavenders!

Although you can visit this field basically any time of the day, I recommend going there for sunrise! It’s incredible to see how fast the colors are changing once the sun hits the lavenders, coming from blue to pink and then vibrant purple.

If you’re lucky, you can even spot hot air balloons in the sky! Usually, the balloons depart from Riez but their routes are not always the same and they are not flying every day either.

We arrived at the field around 6 am and spotted the balloons around 7 am. I didn’t want to believe my eyes first and when I noticed that they are flying in our direction I was jumping out of my skin!

Bonus tip: If you’re ready to leave this beautiful field, continue driving on the D6 road in the direction of Puimoisson. Right after the lavender field ends, you will find a sage field in its place. It’s really beautiful and the two fields are really close to each other so it’s perfect for taking some photos as well.

Stone house with mountains in the background

Coordinates on Google Maps: 43.851485 6.110340

You will find another stone house in the middle of this lavender field but it’s completely different than the previous one. The field is located 20 km (12.5 miles) from Valensole, along the D953 road between Puimoisson and Riez.

If you’re coming from Valensole, you simply need to follow the D8 road (same direction as to the tiny house in the valley) then take a right turn to the D953 road and stop at the coordinates I gave you above.

If you’re an early bird, the best time to visit this field is at sunrise as the sun is rising behind the stone house and the mountains.

The lavender rows are not so close to each other so it’s easy to walk between them and since this field is not so popular and quite far away from Valensole (let alone Manosque), chances are high that you will have it all to yourself!

Tips for Taking Photos in the Lavender Fields

Even if you’re not a professional photographer, I’m sure you will feel the urge to take a million photos at the lavender fields. Trust me, nobody will blame you, it’s just so picture perfect! I will share with you a few important tips below regarding taking photos in the lavender fields.

How to take photos on the lavender fields

As I mentioned before, you will find many lavender fields around Valensole and they are free to visit so whenever you find a field where you would like to take some photos, just park nearby and walk to the field.

It’s quite easy to walk inside the fields because the lavenders are organized in rows and you can easily walk between them.

Please make sure not to damage the lavender while you’re in the field! Try to walk only between the rows and do not step on the lavender. The surface between the rows is rocky so forget about your high heels and only wear flats for your own safety.

I hope it goes without saying, but do not pick any lavenders from the field! If you want to have a bouquet of lavender as a prop for your photos, you can buy it in basically any shop near the fields or in the towns (it usually costs around €3).

Everything you need to know about bees and spiders

Since you’re basically visiting a huge flower field, be prepared to share it with millions of bees! Yes, they are really everywhere but since they’re busy collecting pollen from the lavenders, they will not bother you (if you don’t bother them). So as a general rule of thumb, try to leave them alone and you will be fine.

However, accidents can still happen so if you’re allergic to bee stings make sure to have proper medication with you! Even if you’re not allergic, it’s best to be prepared.

My boyfriend (who is not allergic to bee stings) also got stung by bees on his ankle one evening. First, we thought it was a mosquito sting but the next morning his ankles were already swollen and he could barely walk.

Of course, you can find many pharmacies in the area as well so if it happens to you and you don’t have any medication with you, go there immediately!

If you’re afraid of bees, the best thing you can do is to visit the lavender fields early in the morning or late in the evening when the bees are not active. You will still need to face a few spiders and other insects but since they are there during the day as well, it doesn’t make any difference.

Best time to take photos on the lavender fields

If you want to take some epic photos on the lavender fields, you need to be aware of your timing. It’s quite hard to shoot there during the day because the weather is usually really hot, the light is harsh, not to mention the million other tourists flocking to the fields. So what can you do? Wake up for sunrise!

I know it sounds mad to wake up at the crack of dawn on your vacation but believe me, it’s so worth it! You need to experience it at least once while you’re visiting the lavender fields in Provence.

The sunrise is around 6 am and I recommend being on the fields at least 15 minutes before that. The light is changing really quickly and you don’t want to miss that!

You will not only have the perfect lights but you will have the fields all to yourself (except a few other photographers) and the bees are still not active in the morning so that’s another big advantage!

Another great time for shooting is sunset. The lighting is beautiful as well, but there will be a lot more other people on the fields so it’s not always easy to shoot. The sun is setting around 9.20 pm and if you don’t want to miss the golden hour, you will need to be at the fields around 8 pm.

Best camera equipment to take photos on the lavender fields

If you have a professional camera, definitely bring it to the lavender fields! But don’t worry, even if you don’t have a camera you will be able to take amazing pictures with your phone as well.

Although I mainly use my camera for taking photos, I also took a few shots with my phone and they turned out amazing. Just look at these photos below, they were all taken on my iPhone XS and edited on the free Lightroom mobile app on my phone.

Back to the camera, if you have a normal everyday zoom lens, that will be perfect for the job.

However, if you have a telephoto lens, definitely put it in your camera bag! We just purchased our Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens a few weeks before visiting the lavender fields in Provence and we ended up using it 90% of the time.

Below you can see two of my favorite photos we shot with this lens! If you want to read more about what is in our camera bag, check out my detailed post about our travel photography gear .

How to use a drone on the lavender fields

You can also use your drone on the lavender fields but there is only one little problem with that: bees don’t like drones and they will attack it the second you start flying.

Of course, they can’t really do any damage to your drone but on the other hand, the propellers can hurt the poor bees so please try to avoid that. The bees are not active early in the morning and late in the evening so if you want to fly your drone, this is the perfect time for that.

Best Places to Visit in Provence Other than the Lavender Fields

If you’re visiting Provence in the lavender season, you will probably spend most of your time in the fields. However, if you need a change of scenery, Provence has many more to offer!

There are many cute towns and other natural wonders near the lavender fields so if you have some extra time, try to visit a few of them on your trip.

Situated in Luberon, near the foothills of Monts de Vaucluse, the small town of Roussillon looks like a real-life fairytale village and it is undoubtedly one of the best small towns in France .

Although it’s quite far away from Valensole (it takes around 1.5 hours to get there by car), it’s well worth the detour!

The town features many pastel-colored houses and lively squares so you can easily spend a full day in Roussillon wandering through its charming streets and enjoying the small-town vibes. Roussillon is surrounded by beautiful countryside and it’s also famous for its huge red cliffs and ochre quarries.

Gordes is another fairytale town close to Roussillon. Since it only takes 15 minutes to reach Gordes from Roussillon, it makes sense to visit both on the same day. If you don’t have time to properly explore Gordes, you can also just visit the ‘ Town View Point Gordes ‘ where you can have a panoramic view over the town and the surrounding area.

Sénanque Abbey

If you have more time after visiting Roussillon and Gordes, you can also pay a visit to the Sénanque Abbey which is located 10 minutes from Gordes.

The abbey is surrounded by lavender fields so it’s really picturesque and you can also go inside the abbey as well. An adult ticket costs €8.50 per person for a guided tour and €9.50 per person for a non-guided tour.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon and it’s listed as one of the most beautiful village of France. The town is really charming and since it’s located only 35 minutes from Valensole by car, it’s absolutely worth visiting!

Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon

If you’re already visiting Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, it’s worth taking a detour on your way back to Valensole and driving by the gorgeous lake of St. Croix.

You will find a cute little village called Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon nestled on a hillside on the shores, it looks so picturesque! There are many beaches on the shores so you can take a dip in the lake as well.

If you’re traveling with your family, visiting Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is definitely one of the best things to do in Provence with kids !

Gorges du Verdon

Gorges du Verdon is the deepest gorge in France and it’s an amazing place to visit for outdoor lovers. You can swim in the crystal clear waters, rent a boat or a kayak or just enjoy a picnic on the shores.

Salin de Giraud

Did you know that you can find pink lakes in France? Yes, plural! Salins D’Auiges Mortes is the most famous one but it can only be visited by train and it’s usually very crowded. Thanks to Hanna from  @solarpowerblonde we found out that there is another hidden pink lake in the area called Salin de Giraud.

It takes more than 2 hours to reach it by car from Valensole so it’s quite far away but it’s so worth the time! Personally, we visited it right after arriving at the airport in Marseille and went to Valensole after that.

The pink lakes are basically man-made salt pans and the pink color is caused by a certain type of algae. They are scattered around a huge area and I’ve heard stories from other people that they couldn’t visit the lakes because a security guard didn’t allow them to enter.

We didn’t have any problems like this at the lake we visited, we just simply parked the car and walked 5-10 minutes to reach the lakes. These are the exact coordinates if you want to visit the same place: 43.400981 4.723459

Map of the Best Places to Visit in Provence

In the below map you can find all the best places to visit in Provence that were covered in this article. You can easily save it to your phone by clicking on the bracket in the upper right corner and the map will open up in your Google Maps app. Super convenient, right?

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52 thoughts on “Complete Guide to Visiting the Lavender Fields in Provence”

Such an awesome and detailed guide. Thanks for all the tips and recommendations.

You’re so welcome! I’m so glad you liked it!

I would love to visit the Lavender fields one day. Your photos are beautiful!! Great guide, thank you for sharing!

Thank you Fiona! I’m so happy you liked it!

Wow your pictures are stunning! I’ve always planned to visit Provence soon for the wine (Provence rosé is my favourite wine in the world) but I’ll be visiting for the lavender fields now!

Thank you so much Nell! Yeah, Provence has so many things to offer! 🙂

I loooove Provence and it was such a pleasure to meet you there again Kriszti! This area is so dreamy and you gave all the good tips! Great article!

It was really amazing to meet you Ophélie! Hope to see you soon somewhere in the world! 🙂

I only been to a lavender field once in London, but I would love to visit the lavender fields of France! Thank you for sharing this guide! Btw, your photos are amazing!

Thank you so much Elina! I can really recommend visiting the lavender fields in Provence, it’s such a dream!

Wow these pics are stunning, and you go to lucky with the hot air balloons!

I know! Still can’t believe we actually saw hot air balloons over the lavender fields, feels like a dream! 🙂

Your photos are so beautiful. I always to visit lavender or tulip fields. I find them very beautiful and fascinating. Hope I can visit them post this pandamic.

I hope you will be able to visit next year! The tulip fields are still on my bucket list, maybe next year 🙂

So pretty- love your photos!

Thank you Alex!

I have always wanted to visit the lavender fields! Thanks for all the info on where to stay and how to see everything 🙂

You’re welcome Sara! I’m really glad you liked it 🙂

Looks surreal! I’m dying to visit one of those!

I can only recommend it! Felt so unreal to actually be there in person 🙂

Such pretty photos! Makes me inspired to visit next year when its safer to travel! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you Zoe! Hope you will be able to visit next year!

I honestly love this blog post, so helpful and the photos are just stunning!! I want to go there now! Thanks for all of the tips!

Thank you so much Rachel! I can only recommend visiting Provence in the lavender season!

I’m seriously DYING to visit these fields. They look soooo beautiful!

I had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure it’s all real! It was such an amazing experience 🙂

Love all of your photos – they are so beautiful. Also this is the most detailed and useful guide that I have seen about visiting the lavender fields in Provence. They have been on my bucket list forever. Hopefully one day soon. Pinning this for future reference! thank you for sharing this.

Aww thank you so much Polly! I’m so so happy you liked it and I hope you will be able to visit the lavender fields soon! 🙂

Saved this, straight to my bucket list! It is so amazing beautiful. Great and complete guide, illustrate with the perfect photogrpahy – where else could I find the best guide? You are great, thanks for sharing this.

You are so sweet Paula, thank you so much!! ☺️

This was a gorgeous journey through the lavender fields. I didn’t realize the season was so specific. I’ll keep that in mind in visiting. I’m wanted to bicycle through Provence so seeing the lavender fields would make it more wonderful.

Oh wow biking through Provence sounds wonderful! ? Yeah you really need to pay attention to the dates as the lavender season only lasts for 3-4 weeks!

Omg love this so much Kriszti! So many details, saving this for my trip to the fields one day! The Photos are stunning!

Thank you so much Talia! ❤️

what a great post! I want to head to France NOW! I can’t believe you were able to get both lavender and sunflowers together – absolutely stunning photos!

Yeah we were really lucky with our timing! The lavenders were already in full bloom and there were so many sunflower and sage fields around as well, loved it so much! ☺️

Great article and beautiful pictures! It’s very detailed. Thanks for your recommendations! What was the aperture setting that you used to take pictures of the lavender field? Also, where can I get the preset for your edits? The colors are beautiful.

Thank you so much Jaslyn, I’m so happy you liked it! The aperture is different for every picture, mostly between f/2.8 and f/10. I’m using my own custom made preset but they are not for sale at the moment. But I’m already thinking about it so I will let you know once I start selling them ☺️

I’ve alwayssss wanted to visit the lavender fields, and this post just made that desire so much stronger! I’m so jealous and pinning this post for later, thank you!

I can absolutely recommend it, it was such a dream come true for me! The lavender fields are insanely beautiful!

Thank You for this complete itinerary of the lavender fields. It will really help me figuring out our itinerary for mid July 2021. I had real concerns because we are also doing a river cruise that will end in Arles. However, I really wanted to see the area around the fields. This will make planning so much easier. Thanks again Bev

I’m so happy that I was able to help with your planning Bev! The lavender fields are so magical and I hope you will have an amazing trip there!

Super!!! It’s a complete guide for visiting the lavender fields! Thank you very much!

You’re very welcome Esther!

Thank you so much for this information! How long would you recommend staying in this area to see most of these places?

I think 2-3 days would be enough but if you would like to explore more of Provence, you can easily do 4-5 days as well.

Hey great photos and info!! I’m going in two weeks!!! I think I could spend every day in the fields but my friends are not photographers. (We are taking a balloon ride though.) Which field was the photo with the balloon in it? That was amazing!!! Lorraine.

Hey! I included a Google Maps link for each location under the “Where to Find the Best Lavender Fields in Provence” section 🙂 The field with the hot air balloon is the second one, “Tiny house in the valley”. Hope you’ll have the best time!

Thank you Kriszti for a well covered article on lavender visits In Provence. I feel better now as I couldn’t book any lavender field tours this time and you mentioned that it’s everywhere in Valensole. At least we could park the car by roadside and take some pictures; not the best but should be satisfactory since we didn’t plan properly. Wishing you a million readers on your posts ! Thank you !

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! Yeah, if you have a car you don’t need to join any tours, you can just visit the fields I mentioned in the blog post anytime 🙂 Wishing you an amazing trip!

Because of your details information on your blog my trip to the Lavender Field with my daughter was a dream come true. But, So sad that the Tiny house didn’t have Lavender field around it this year. But we still got some great pictures because of all your tips. Thank you so much for your contribution. You had made many people life time dream come true.

Hi Patty, I’m so glad you had an amazing trip to the lavender fields in Provence! Yeah, I’ve also just heard from a friend that due to crop rotation, now many fields that used to be lavender are wheat. Hopefully they will change it back once again next year but I’m sure there are many other gorgeous lavender fields in the area 🙂

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A Guide to Visiting the Lavender Fields in Provence

All you need to know about why lavender is so special beyond the insta photo– as well as when, where and how experience it while visiting provence..

For travelers seeking an immersive experience with nature’s poetry, there’s no better way to indulge the senses than by exploring Provence’s mesmerizing landscape where lavender reigns supreme. From June to August, the countryside bursts into a kaleidoscope of purple hues as lavender fields stretch as far as the eye can see, gently swaying in the Provencal breeze. Click here to read our article on “Provence in Bloom – When to Visit.”

With the refreshing recent focus on health and wellness we are now sensing a growing desire on behalf of our rental clients to go beyond just snapping that perfect instagram photo. Visitors to Provence want to understand the true secrets of this magical flower through immersive custom made tours and experiences . As an agency passionate about sharing all we know about Provence, we wanted to help you have the most authentic experience with lavender on your next visit.

The Therapeutic Gifts of Lavender…it’s almost endless

Let’s start with the basics– what what makes lavender so special? Beyond its picturesque appeal, lavender boasts a rich history and a myriad of therapeutic properties, making lavender essential oil now one of the most popular and versatile essential oils on the market. Known for its calming aroma and medicinal benefits, it has been cherished for centuries as a symbol of purity and relaxation.  But beyond its aid for stress, anxiety, and depression, lavender also boasts anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.  And with it’s captivating scent, it has been a staple in perfumes and soaps, creams and cosmetic products.  Let’s just say that this little flower isn’t just pretty to look at–she’s a powerhouse of traits to behold.

Lavandin vs Lavender – there’s a difference. Without going too deep down a rabbit hole here, know that there are while lavandin and true lavender share similarities in appearance and fragrance, they are distinct botanical species with differences in cultivation, fragrance profile, and applications. Lavandin is often preferred for commercial cultivation due to its higher yield and hardier nature. It is commonly grown for its essential oil, which is used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and household products. True lavender, on the other hand, is cultivated primarily for its essential oil and for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Go Deeper – Custom Lavender Tours

One of the best ways to learn about all of these beneficial elements of this plant is to witness the traditional distillation process firsthand at a local distillery.

Our favorite distillery in the region is one that oozes authenticity. Les Agnels Lavender Distillerie & Boutique – (Route de Buoux, Apt 84400 ) is one of the oldest, family-run producers in Provence and we urge you to visit as it takes you back in time. Enjoy a short informative tour and shop in the boutique boutique or we can arrange private custom tours that include both an in-depth overview of all things lavender plus a trip over the hill to relax and enjoy the sunset with picnic basket complete with wine and nibbles. Does it get better than this?

Book your Lavender Tours from our Experience Page . We can arrange half or full day tours focused on lavender, weaving in other elements such as hiking, biking or cooking classes.

When and Where to See Lavender Fields: Exploring Provence’s Lavender Routes

Lavender blooms between June and early August, but like anything in nature, each year can vary slightly.

In general, the areas around Sault, Valensole, and the Luberon are covered in shades of purple and are a must-visit for their iconic landscapes and the soothing scent of lavender in the air.

Here are some of the best places to see lavender fields in Provence:

Valensole Plateau: Perhaps the most iconic lavender destination in Provence, the Valensole Plateau is vast and offers endless rows of lavender that stretch as far as the eye can see. The area is dotted with picturesque farmhouses and sunflower fields, providing perfect photo opportunities.

Sault: Located at the base of Mont Ventoux, Sault is known as the “Lavender Capital” and offers a more elevated perspective of lavender fields, which cascade down the slopes of the surrounding hills. The area celebrates its lavender heritage with an annual festival around August 15th.

Luberon Valley: The Luberon , with its charming hilltop villages like  Bonnieux ,  Gordes  and  Roussillon , offers a patchwork of lavender fields set against a backdrop of medieval villages and rugged landscapes.  The valley down below the village of 

Bonnieux heading towards  Goult  is a well-known spot for picture taking. The Claparèdes plateau between Bonnieux and Saignon is also known for its vibrant display.  Stop in and visit the Lavender Distillery in “Les Agnels” to learn about the distillation process.  The Abbaye de Senanque, a 12th-century Cistercian abbey near Gordes, is also particularly famous for its picturesque lavender fields.

Plateau d’Albion : This area, less crowded than Valensole, is known for its vast expanses of lavender. It’s ideal for those seeking tranquility away from the main tourist spots.

Coussoul de Simiane-la-Rotonde: This area is known for its wild lavender fields. Simiane-la-Rotonde itself is a picturesque village worth exploring.

The Culinary Delights of Lavender

Lavender isn’t just a feast for the senses in the fields of Provence; it also tantalizes the taste buds in the kitchen. Culinary enthusiasts delight in the subtle floral notes and herbal undertones of lavender, which add depth and complexity to a variety of dishes. 

From lavender-infused honey and syrups to lavender-infused salts and sugars, you will find a wide range of artisanal products that showcase this fragrant herb’s versatility, from lavender shortbread cookies or lavender-infused ice cream. For those seeking savory delights, lavender-infused oils and vinegars add a sophisticated twist to dressings, marinades, and sauces, elevating dishes with a touch of Provencal charm. Whether you’re exploring the local markets of Provence or browsing the smaller boutiques and épiceries while here, you’ll find an array of lavender-inspired culinary treasures.

Quick Tips for your Lavender-Filled Adventure

Before embarking on your lavender-filled adventure in Provence, here are a few tips to enhance your experience:

Timing is Key: Plan your visit between late June and early August to catch the lavender in full bloom.  When planning a visit to these areas, it’s a good idea to check local resources or contact local tourism offices for the exact timing of the lavender bloom, as it can vary slightly from year to year based on weather conditions. Also, consider exploring the region in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is most photogenic and the temperatures are cooler.

Be conscious of Bees:   Lavender and bees are very good friends so be aware when exploring.

Pack Essentials: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes for exploring the fields.  

Respect For the Fields and the Farmers: While capturing the beauty of lavender, tread lightly and remember that lavender fields are not public parks.  The fields are owned by local  farmers who harvest the flower for their livelihood.  While most do not mind visitors taking pictures, please refrain from cutting  / taking bouquets of the flower– you can get them easily at the market.

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The Ultimate Lavender Route, Provence

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Summer is the lavender season in Provence ! From the French Riviera to the foothills of the Alps, the Provence lavender fields start to turn purple, and it is a wonderful show to see and smell.

To get the most out of the lavender season in the region, there are different lavender routes in Provence that help you get to see as many lavender fields as possible. This 5-day Provence lavender route from Avignon is our favorite, and it will take you through some of the most beautiful Provence lavender fields near Avignon and in the Pays de Sault in the Vaucluse department.

Be aware that the lavender season in Provence is not the same everywhere, and it depends on the altitude of the terrain and weather conditions during the previous months. For this Provence lavender tour, come in July to see the Provence lavender fields in full bloom. In some of these places, however, the lavender continues to bloom until early August.

For more information on the main areas, the type of lavender to see, and the best tips, check out our quick guide to the lavender fields of Provence .

This lavender route Provence is one of the most beautiful road trips in France. Click here for the best road trips in France .

Provence Lavender Route Overview

• Start:  Avignon
• Finish:  Avignon
• Duration:  5 days
• Suggested Route:  Avignon – Sault – Roussillon – Avignon
• Total distance:  183 km, 3.5 hours drive minimum
• Regions covered:  Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Best for:  sightseeing and natural sites.

Lavender Route Provence Map

Click here to view this Lavender Route Provence Map on Google

Provence Lavender Tour – Itinerary 5 Days

The starting point of this lavender route, France, is  Avignon . If this is your first time in Avignon, spend at least one day exploring this charming medieval city before hitting the road. If you need to hire a car, wait until the end of your stay in Avignon to pick up your rental car. Click here for our best tips for renting a car in France .

Click here to rent your car in Avignon

Day 1 | Avignon

Avignon is one of the most beautiful French cities , with a rich medieval past. This charming historic city on the South Bank of the Rhône River was home to seven Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. The Papal Palace, where they lived, is a jewel of civil Gothic architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy  one day in Avignon . Here everything is within walking distance, and you can easily explore the city while strolling through its small cobblestone lanes. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Popes and wander along the  Pont d’Avignon  (the famous bridge of the famous song for kids) or admire it from afar.

For your night in Avignon, book at the Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon . This hotel is located in a beautiful 16th-century building with original arches and vaulted ceilings surrounded by a beautiful garden and an outdoor swimming pool.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon

Day 2 | Avignon – Sault

Morning in Sénanque Abbey and Gordes

The first stop of this lavender route in Provence is Coustellet to visit the beautiful Lavender Museum (276 Route de Gordes, Coustellet). This museum is a great introduction to the world of lavender in Provence, and it also has a good shop with excellent lavender-based products.

From Coustellet, take the D2 road to the Abbey of Sénanque , surrounded by one of Provence’s most iconic lavender fields. Here, the lavender fields are at an altitude of 350-700 m, mainly with lavandine.

The Abbey of Sénanque was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style, and it is possible to visit on a guided tour by the monks – but do respect the peace and privacy of the monks. Here, there’s also a shop to buy some lavender souvenirs.

After Sénanque, drive to Gordes , one of the picturesque hilltop villages of the Luberon , with the label Most Beautiful Villages in France . Visit Gordes with its cobbled streets, pretty stone architecture, and little shops selling local products and all kinds of crafts. Gordes also has several places where you can have lunch.

In the afternoon, head to Sault, where you will spend two nights. In Sault, book a room for two nights at Hostellerie du Val de Sault , a property in the form of a small Provencal village surrounded by lavender fields. This beautiful place has an on-site restaurant, top facilities, and a swimming pool.

Click here to book your stay at Hostellerie du Val de Sault

Day 3 | Pays de Sault

Day three of this lavender trail Provence is dedicated to visiting Sault and the surrounding villages. Pays de Sault is the capital of lavender in Provence. Less touristy than the lavender fields near Avignon, Pays de Sault is a good place to see the real Provençal lavender without the crowds.

In the Sault lavender fields, you will find a few bories (traditional stone huts in Provence), and they look great in the middle of the lavender fields.

Morning in Sault

Sault is a charming Provencal village near Mont Ventoux . Located at a higher altitude (800-900 m), summers are not as hot as in other places in Provence, like Valensole.

Sault is one of the few places in Provence where you are 100 percent guaranteed to see lavender fields still in bloom in mid-August, whatever the weather. This lavender is never cut down before 15 August because that is the date of the Sault Lavender Festival, during which a big competition is held to harvest the blooms using a sickle.

DID YOU KNOW? Sault also has a hippodrome, Déffends, which is the highest working one in France and holds horse races throughout the year. It also has a lavender field in the middle of the track!

Take the time to visit Sault. Here, lavender is present in every shop and all its forms. Sault also has several lavender-themed attractions, like the  Arôma Plantes farm and distillery (Route du Mont Ventoux). The Sault market , on Wednesday morning, is also a colorful place to explore and buy a bouquet of lavender.

Hilltop Villages in the Pays de Sault

In the afternoon, take the car to explore one or two of the hilltop villages around Sault: Ferrasières, Auriel, Brantes, or Monieux. Ferrassières hosts the first big lavender festival of the summer on the first Sunday in July; Brantes faces Mont Ventoux, and it has an incredible view of it; the lavender fields with the village of Auriel in the background are wonderful.

From Sault, you can also drive up the mighty  Mont Ventoux (1,909m) – nicknamed the ‘Giant of Provence’ – for some fresh air and stunning views or take a tour through the  Gorges de la Nesque .

Spend the night in Sault.

Day 4 | Sault – Roussillon

Day four of this lavender route Provence definitely has a red tone. From Sault, drive south to visit the Luberon, another very charming corner of the Vaucluse department.

Morning in Rustrel

Stop in Rustrel for a real change of scenery. Rustrel and the area around Roussillon are famed for their dramatic, richly colored ochre landscapes. Here, you can walk in the Colorado Provençal , a beautiful hike (1-2 hours) through cliffs and multicolored ocher rocks shaped by erosion but also by the work of men for centuries.

Afternoon in Roussillon

After Rustrel, drive to the village of Roussillon. On the way, you can stop at Apt, which boasts one of the largest and best street markets in the region (on Saturday mornings) and is renowned for its preserved fruits.

Roussillon is one of the most beautiful small towns in Provence . The town sits on top of cliffs of red and yellow clay, and the clay hills have been an important source of the ochre pigment since the 18th century. 

After visiting the village, you can follow the Ochre Trail,  a developed pathway through the ochre-colored hills of the former ochre mine.

Roussillon is a small town, but it has wonderful places to spend the night. The B&B Bastida des Demoiselles is one of the best hotels in the Provencal countryside , with an on-site restaurant and a beautiful garden with a swimming pool.

Click here to book your stay at Bastida des Demoiselles

Day 5 | Roussillon – Avignon

From Roussillon, drive back to Avignon, the last stop of this Provence lavender itinerary. On the way, some pretty hilltop villages are worth exploring: Lacoste , Menerbes, or Bonnieux . If you are not in a hurry, you can also decide to make a detour to Fontaine de Vaucluse for a drink or dinner in one of the restaurants by the Sorge River.

So, what are you waiting for? Book this Lavender route Provence today!

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A Guide to Visiting the Lavender Fields in Provence

I have dreamed about a road trip around Provence to visit the beautiful lavender fields for YEARS! This past summer, I finally planned a trip back to France and I knew I had to visit for the 2022 lavender season! The region of Provence is known for its lavender fields and you won’t have to look hard to find them in June and July. If you are planning a trip to Provence, keep reading as I will be sharing everything you need to know including, when to visit, where to stay, where exactly to find the lavender fields and more!

Where are the Lavender Fields?

The majority of the lavender fields of Provence are centered around the Luberon and Verdon plateaus to the north of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, and to the east of Avignon. If you’d like to visit the fields, I would recommend renting a car to get around. We made Marseille, France our home base while we were in Provence, and from there we planned a day trip in search of Lavender. You could also base yourself in Aix-en-Provence, which I would recommend over Marseille.

Like wheat or sunflower fields (which you can also find in the region), lavender fields are found bordering the roads. So just drive around the region and stop whenever you see a field that you fancy!

When to Visit the Lavender Fields?

Lavender starts to bloom around mid to end June until it is harvested end July to mid-August. The lavender blooming depends on the weather conditions, the variety and elevation. Generally speaking though, the best time to go to the Provence to experience the lavender in full, glorious scented bloom is between end-June and end-July.

If you don’t like the crowds and you want your lavender exploring to seem exotic, go before mid-July. True, the prime blooming for the lavender starts mid-July but that doesn’t mean you don’t get purple and blue hews earlier.

My recommendation for a “typical” year visiting lavender in the Provence would be the last part of June – right before the French are on holiday and most tourists arrive for high season. If you are interested in capturing sunflowers and lavender together, you will need to go mid to late July.

How to Get to the Lavender Fields?

The best way to plan your journey from Aix-en-Provence, Marseille or Avignon is by renting a car. It will give you the flexibility you need to visit the fields at your own pace. We rented a car from Avis , which is conveniently located in the Marseille Railway Station. If you plan to stay in Aix-en-Provence, there is also an Avis located at the TGV station.

Once you arrive at any of the lavender field locations, you can easily park on the street or in a nearby area to visit the fields. I would not recommend taking public transportation, but instead book a tour if you don’t feel comfortable renting a car. Check out the tours I have linked below.

• Full Day Lavender Tour from Aix-en-Provence
• Full Day Lavender Tour from Marseille
• Fully Day Lavender Tour from Avignon

You’ll be traveling through more rural parts of Provence and public transport isn’t that frequent and won’t stop directly in front of the fields, meaning you’ll probably have some walking/hiking to do and won’t be able to cover multiple fields in a day trip.

Where to Stay in Provence?

We stayed in Marseille at the AC Hotel Marseille Prado Veldrome . The hotel is in a great location and was perfect for our 2 night stay in Marseille. Unfortunately, although the hotel was great, we were highly underwhelmed by the city of Marseille and additionally, found it to be very dirty overall.

After spending half a day in Aix-en-Provence on our way to visit the lavender fields, I would highly recommend staying there instead. Aix-en-Provence is a quaint, small town filled with charming streets and endless amounts of things to do. It is easily accessible by train from Paris, if you fly to Paris first and spend a few days there. The Renaissance Aix-en-Provence Hotel is the perfect spot to spend your time in Aix-en-Provence and visit the lavender fields.

It may also be helpful to pick a home base depending on your travel time to the lavender fields from each area.

• Marseille to Valensole Lavender Fields is about 1.5 hours
• Aix-en-Provence to Valensole Lavender Fields is about a 1 hour
• Avignon to Valensole Lavender Fields is about 1.5 hours

Where to Find the Lavender Fields in Provence

Drive through  D6 (Route de Manosque)  where the road is literally teeming with fields of these beautiful purple flowers.

If you’re coming from Aix-en-Provence, the Luberon, or Avignon – your first stop after exiting the A51 motorway at Manosque will be field Terraoma.

It’s quite easy to drive through Provence to the lavender fields. I suggest using Google maps and type in the coordinates of the exact field you want to visit. Once you’re there you essentially just keep driving down the same road and you will see multiple lavender fields, feel free to stop by any but the most popular ones are on the main road and you’ll see plenty of photographers and cars parked on the side of the road taking pictures.

Here are the Lavender Fields I visited:

GPS: 43.8191, 5.93266

These stunning fields at Terraroma are a more recent development. The rolling hills here are prime for photos, and there’s plenty of space for everyone to get their shot. You can’t miss the Terraroma sign smack in the middle of the field, but it’s easy enough to work around it with angles, cropping, or just walking towards the far end of the field if you don’t want it in your shot.

The Terraroma distillery is across the road, where you’ll park. So pop in and pick up some honey, soap, essential oils, or a bunch of dried lavender for your photoshoot while you’re there!

From here, the fields merge into your next lavender spot, Lavandes Angelvin.

Lavandes Angelvin

GPS: 43.82374, 5.93828

If you’ve visited Terraroma next door, you can just walk across to these fields.

If you’re coming by car, there’s a small car park on your right as you approach. Park your car there and pick up some tasty treats from the roadside stall selling lavender-infused goodies. Opposite this car park is where you’ll find the most photographed lavender field in Provence, with its iconic trees.

Pit Stop: Valensole Village

GPS: 43.837623, 5.987164

You can bypass Valensole Village and go straight through to your next lavender field, or pop into this charming village for an al fresco lunch or lavender flavored ice cream on your way. It’s a petite village, so a quick stop won’t take up too much of your time. It’s a great spot if you’re in need of water, food, snacks and even lavender for your photoshoot.

We decided to stop and explore the area and have some lavender ice cream, which was perfect on a hot summer day!

Gently Sloping Lavender Field

GPS: 43.88628, 6.05534

On the right-hand side of the road, as you drive away from Valensole and towards Puimoisson, you’ll find this expansive lavender field with a gentle incline at one end.

For some reason, this lavender field in Valensole is quieter than most, so it’s a good one to take portraits or family photographs – without having to worry about anyone getting in your shot.

Stone hut lavender field s

GPS: 43.89574, 6.11351

You may not notice the little stone hut when you first pull over. But it’s there, hiding just past a little dip in the lavender.

GPS: 43.85181, 6.11049

This field is known for its tiny stone hut in the distance. You can get some beautiful photos here as well without a ton of tourists.

Quiet lavender field among the trees

GPS: 43.84535, 6.15548

Continue on towards Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and you’ll find this vibrant field surrounded by luscious green vegetation. Again, it’s the natural swell of the earth that makes this one of the best lavender fields in Valensole.

That concludes my tour of the Valensole lavender fields! This isn’t an exhaustive list, as I believe it’s best to leave a little room for discoveries along the way, but it gives first time visitors an overview of the area.

If you plan on completing this route in one day, I’d suggest starting early so you’ll have time to take in the villages and views as you go.

But, if you are on a short time frame, it’s possible to complete this lavender route (and have time for photographs) within 5 hours. You just won’t have adequate time to add on the village visits or make stops along the way.

Tips for Visiting the Lavender Fields

• Bring plenty of water
• Make sure to offline your route and maps of the area in case your connection is poor and you loose signal. This happened to us a few times during our drive through the South of France.
• Eat in the town you’re coming from or bring snacks or a picnic for your drive. If you’re planning on visiting the villages on this Valensole lavender fields itinerary, you’ll struggle to find somewhere to eat outside of regular meal times
• Beware of the bees! You will hear the bees buzzing away in the lavender fields and they are for the most part harmless, unless you’re allergic to bees of course.
• Don’t stomp on the lavender. You will see there are trails in between the lavender. Make sure to walk on these trails and be mindful of where you are stepping.
• The best time for photos is in the early morning or sunset when the sun isn’t so harsh.

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Hi – thanks for the helpful tips. Do you think mid July is too late for the lavender in valensole — like July 8-12? Can I ask what time of year you visited/took these beautiful pics?

Hi Jillian, I visited towards the end of June. Every year the dates of when the lavender fields bloom vary, but typically its between June and July. I suggest contacting some of the lavender fields directly through Instagram or email so they can provide more accurate information.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Lavender Fields in Provence, France

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Alright, guys, those lavender fields are all over your Instagram feed so you definitely know about them. Those perfect purple flowers are so photogenic that I can only see them become more and more popular!

If you plan on visiting the South of France during the summer, you definitely should plan on going to the lavender fields. The region is so picturesque that it attracts so many photographers, painters, and of course regular tourists from all around the globe. Those fields truly are a symbol of France and especially of the South. So let’s explore this beautiful region together!

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Location: Where to See the Lavender Fields in Provence?

Getting there and around: how to visit the lavender fields in provence, what is the best time to visit the lavender fields in provence, what is the weather like in provence during the lavender season, accommodation: where to stay in provence, photography and drone tips for the lavender fields, practical information about lavender.

There are a large number of fields, scattered over 4 French départements called les Alpes de Haute-Provence, les Hautes-Alpes, le Vaucluse and la Drôme. The main and largest lavender fields of are located on the Luberon and Verdon plateaux. Some fields are located near farms and you can go there and buy some lavender directly from the producers.

Like wheat or sunflower fields (which you can also find in the region), lavender fields are found bordering the roads. So just drive around the region and stop whenever you see a field that you fancy!

Sunflower fields in Valensole

Valensole Plateau

Usually, Valensole is the place that is associated with lavender. The purple fields are literally everywhere and they go as far as the eye can see, dominated by stunning mountains. These are probably the most beautiful lavender fields in Provence. You can’t miss them! Lavender isn’t the only flower growing in Valensole though. A few sunflower fields can be found between the purple ones.

The Route of Manosque (D6) , passing through the Valensole village is the most famous one to admire lavender fields. But it also teems with tourists. I must admit that the place is a victim of its success. So instead of only going to the D6, try driving along the smaller roads. You will find lavender fields of different sizes along most of the roads in the area. Valensole is definitely a sure value!

When hearing the word “Provence” everyone always pictures an endless sea of purple flowers

L’abbaye de Sénanque and Gordes

Another famous area to see the lavender fields is at to the village of Gordes, around the Abbaye de Sénanque (Abbey of Sénanque). With its Provençial charm and its typical architecture, the village of Gordes was named “one of the most beautiful villages in France”. It is known as being one of the most picturesque and prettiest villages in the region. Gordes is a must-visit if you are chasing the lavender fields.

Hidden in the valley of Gordes, lies the old Abbey of Sénanque that is surrounded by fields of lavender. The monks living there harvest the lavender themselves and sell it. The production of lavender essence, honey and liqueurs contribute to the livelihood of their community. Bear in mind that if you plan on visiting the Abbey, you will be asked to come shoulders and knees covered .

“Lavender is the soul of Provence” – Jean Giono

Sault Plateau

Just like the Valensole plateau, it is difficult to miss the lavender on the Sault plateau especially if you drive along the Mont Ventoux road (D164) . From Sault, known as the lavender capital in France, the chemin de la lavande (lavender path) allows you to discover all of what this symbol of Provence has to offer. In this region, the fields are wilder than in Valensole and more a little more preserved because lesser known.

Drôme Provençale

To see lavender fields, everyone always thinks of Valensole or Sault. The Drôme Provençale is a gorgeous hidden little secret . The Drome Provençale is full of places to see the lavender fields. Surrounded by mountains, cliffs or villages, lavender is present everywhere.

Along the lavender road, you should take the time to stop in one of the many farms, distilleries, and museums, where you can discover all the virtues of this medicinal and fragrant flower. From harvesting to distillation and honey making, all the local producers are always happy to show you and explain all those steps. You can’t forget to taste real lavender honey!

The best way to plan your journey from either Nice, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, or even Avignon is definitely by renting a car. I won’t lie to you, having a car is a necessity. There is no public transportation that will take you to directly to the lavender fields in Provence from any town or city. You can rent a car in any neighboring cities and then drive up to the fields over a weekend for example. It will give you the flexibility you need to visit and you will even have time to enjoy the sunrise and sunset if you’d like!

If you are unable to drive, I wouldn’t recommend taking public transport but rather booking a tour, like   this one from Avignon, this one from Aix-en-Provence or  this one   from Nice.

Now that you know where to go see gorgeous fields of lavender, you have to know when to visit the area to admire them in full bloom. Depending on the region, the lavender season may vary.

In the lowlands, the blooming season is from mid-June until mid-July at the latest. For Valensole, in general, the ideal is the first week of July. For other plateaux that are more in the North (around Sault), the blooming season is later, from early July to mid-August. It also obviously depends on the weather conditions throughout the year. The higher the elevation is, the later the lavender will bloom.

In summary, lavender blooms from late June to mid-August, which is the harvesting time. The best is to go early July, most of the lavender will be in bloom everywhere!

July is the hottest and driest month of the year in Provence. The average temperature is 25˚C (77˚F). But bear in mind that there isn’t much shade around. So during the day when it is 30°C (86°C) it will feel like it is 35°C (95°C) or even 40°C (104°C)!

In Provence, the weather is dry and not humid at all. Keep that in mind when renting your car because you will definitely need good air-conditioning! The second time I went to the lavender fields our AC broke down and we were roasting like chickens the entire trip there and back! Luckily we had a reflective sun shade for our car windshield so when we parked, our seats were somewhat in the shade. 

To survive those hot French summer days, don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Tap water is drinkable in France (unless stated otherwise on the fountains) so you can always refill if you need but in the fields you won’t be able to find any water so always keep a few liters (half a gallon) in the car just in case.

Evenings do tend to get colder, especially further inland. You should pack light cotton layers for the day, sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a swimsuit (since the Gorges du Verdon are closeby, you should take a dip at some point!) and have a sweater on hand for the cooler evenings. 

At least, since it rarely rains during this time of year, there are good chances that your trip to the lavender fields in Provence will be sunny. Don’t forget to slather on the sunscreen and eat plenty of lavender ice cream to keep cool!

If you truly want to experience the region, I advise you to stay with locals by renting an Airbnb or an actual local bed and breakfast (some even have pools!) Staying around Valensole or Manosque is a good idea if you want to visit the lowlands plateaux. Bear in mind that you have to plan your trip and book your housing early because those tend to get taken months in advance!

An amazing activity to do in the area is a hot air balloon ride. I recommend this incredible one from Manawa, located in Forcalquier, only a 30-minute ride away from both Valensole and Manosque. You will be able to see the fortified villages nestled atop the Luberon mountains and of course, the beautiful lavender fields from above.

Lavender fields are beautiful no matter the time of day. In the middle of the day, the lavender has a vibrant purple color while during sunrise or sunset it has different shades from light pink to blue. If you want to escape crowds, sunrises are the best time to take photos. Regarding lighting, sunrises and sunsets are the most magical times.

It was my first time using a drone to take photos in the lavender fields and one problem arose fast while doing so. I want you to be aware of it so you don’t make the same mistake I did.

Drone shots from Valensole

Bees don’t like drones very much. They attacked my DJI ferociously without any second thought. Sadly, the drone propellers injured a lot of those poor bees which did not deter them from going at it. Because of that, we stopped right away taking drone photos and videos in the middle of the day.

I would advise you to take drone shots during sunrise or sunset because bees aren’t gathering pollen during those times and it is safe to fly your drone then. And if you are scared of bees, it is also the best time to take photos! In principle, however, if you do not make sudden moves, they won’t bother you. I personally never got stung while visiting the lavender fields in Provence those past few years.

Did you know that there are three types of lavenders? The lavande fine , lavande aspic and lavandin , the latest being a hybrid of the former two . The fields in Valensole and most of the other famous fields are not lavender fields but lavandin fields. Lavandin produces way more oil than the traditional lavender (lavande fine). Lavandin oil is mainly used for household products or cosmetics such as soap while lavender oil by being more rare and precious is used in perfumes.

Each type of lavender possesses different properties and qualities. The lavender aspic is a strong anti-inflammatory but can also be neurotoxic. The  traditional lavender is fully consumable and possesses many medicinal virtues (from helping with insomnia to stomach problems). Lavandin, by being a mix of the two is usually used to repel insects and heal insect bites.

I hope this guide to the lavender fields in Provence will help you plan your perfect Provence gateway! If you have any travel tips for the South of France let me know in the comments below!

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Best Lavender Fields in Provence, France

The lavender fields in Provence are one of the most spectacular natural sights of all time. People come from all over the world to see the beautiful purple rows of flowers stretching for miles into the horizon. Nothing beats walking among the French lavender fields, with the Alps mountains in the distance, the sound of bees buzzing, and the feeling of the sun on your skin. Find out the best spots to visit and how to get there with our complete guide to the Lavender fields in Provence.

What is the Lavender in Provence used for?

The lavender fields in France are some of the most spectacular worldwide, and Provence’s are the best of all! In this region, farmers grow two types of lavender: Fine and Lavandin.

Fine lavender is used for its medicinal properties and is typical of Provence. In fact, it doesn’t grow anywhere else in the world! This type of lavender is used to create perfumes and essential oils that are known for their relaxing, stress-relieving properties. 

Lavandin smells much stronger and can’t be used as medicine. Instead, it’s used to create lavender bags and other smelling products sold in the local shops as souvenirs and gifts.

Where to See Lavender Fields in France

There are many beautiful areas of Provence where you can see lavender fields. You’ll find postcard-worthy scenes of rolling fields of lavender, olive trees, cottages, and mountains close to stunning hilltop French villages. 

Also read: Best Things to do in Provence

Valensole , Provence

The best area to see lavender fields in Provence is the Plateau de Valensole. As you drive along the winding roads, you’ll find some of the most Instragrammable travel spots in Europe ; lavender adjacent to sunflower fields, striking olive trees sticking out among the flowers, and abandoned farmers’ cottages. The clash of vibrant summertime colors against the summertime sky is beautiful, a moment to experience the magic of nature. Many of the fields are also west-facing, so you’ll get to see the pretty sunset colors against the fields in the evening.

Valensole village

The Valensole Plateau is also home to the remarkable hillside village of Valensole. Besides being extraordinarily pretty, there are great options for accommodation, as well as cute boutique shops where you can buy your lavender souvenirs. Down in the valley, there are lots of lavender farms to choose from, where you can take some memorable photos and learn more about the local produce.

Read more about Valensole – The lavender village of Provence

Best Lavender fields in Provence

1. lavendes angelvin .

From location 1 and the nearby roads, you have a view of the snow-topped mountains with flowers in front; this is one of the most extraordinary views in all of Provence! The entire valley around this area is mesmerizing.

Lavendes Angelvin is a working farm with a shop on site where you can buy essential oils, soaps, and other lavender gifts and souvenirs. You can also take part in a tour where you can learn more about the production and the history of the estate. 

Here are all your hotel options in Valensole.

2. Sunflowers & Lavender

At location 2 , you’ll find beautiful rows of symmetrical lavender. If you pick the right time, you’ll also see the adjacent fields of sunflowers, which provide a unique, vibrant color clash of yellow and purple.

3. Scenic Landscapes

When you visit location 3 , you’ll see blooming lavender fields everywhere you look. This huge wide-open landscape is a fantastic place to take photos of the fields stretching out to the sky. Spend a few hours here watching the sky change as the sun goes down.

4. Greoux Les Bains

Location 4 is the lavender area close to the town of Greoux Les Bains (an excellent place to stay on your trip). It’s a beautiful drive, as fields of lavender follow all the way along the road, so you can also get some great photos from the car. 

Read: Travel photography tips

Other Lavender Fields in Provence

There are also some other great locations in Provence to see the French lavender fields. 

• Pays de Sault (Vaucluse)
• Luberon (Vaucluse) 
• Drome Provencale

Tips for Visiting Lavender Fields in Provence 

Visiting the lavender fields in Provence is one of those bucket list experiences you’ll remember forever. However, part of being a responsible traveler is looking out for the beautiful nature we’re so lucky to have.

1. Respect Farmer’s Wishes

Remember, these are working farms, so respecting the local producers and their wishes is essential. If signs are asking you not to enter, please acknowledge them. 

Read these sustainable travel tips!

2. Be Careful of the Crops

Most important of all, make sure to be careful about harming the crops. The lavender in Provence is a huge part of the economy, and it’s vital to protect this. With this in mind, if it’s busy at one location, move on to the next to avoid overcrowding.

Tip: The region is enormous, so you will find a quiet space to enjoy or take photos.

3. Keep Drones at a Distance

Bringing a drone? Getting a birds-eye view of the lavender fields in Provence can make for the most spectacular photos. However, with flowers come bees, and there are thousands of them in the lavender fields. They don’t like the sounds of the drone, and they will attack it if it comes close to them, meaning they might risk being harmed. Because of this, don’t fly the drone low over the flowers and take off far away. 

Also read: The Best Cameras for travel

How to Visit the Lavender Fields in Provence

The nearest airport is Marseille, which is only a 1-hour drive from the Valensole Plateau. We recommend hiring a car from the airport or in Marseille city for your trip.

If you’re arriving in Paris , you can take the train to Provence (local train stations to Valensole are Aix-en-Provence or Marseille ). However, be aware that the train journey is long, approximately 7 hours. If you don’t want to drive, take a train to Aix-en-Provence and join a day tour exploring the lavender fields in Plateau of Valensole.

Browse train tickets and timetables online

Getting Around

Rent a car and drive between all the most famous lavender fields in Provence to have the most flexibility. This is the best way to see the area, mainly because there are no public transport options. 

We recommend to rent a car in France through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

However, if you aren’t able to drive, there is also the option to join guided tours from the bigger cities. These tours will take you around some of the top spots, but you will have to stick to a fixed schedule. 

Best Time to Visit French Lavender Fields

Provence’s lavender fields are in bloom for a very short time window, generally from the middle of June or July until the end of July/ beginning of August. However, by August, many of the fields have been harvested.

Over these weeks, you’ll see it change from a faded grey color to a vibrant purple. Each field may bloom at a different time, so make sure to research well ahead of your trip, so you don’t miss out on seeing your bucket list fields. 

Because there is such a small amount of time to see the lavender fields, it can be busy, and prices will rise in the local towns for accommodation. That’s why the end of June is an excellent time to visit as the summer holidays at the schools in France aren’t taking place yet. 

Where to Stay Lavender Fields in Provence

Valensole is a lovely little town to stay in on your trip to Provence. However, it’s a small town and the accommodation options, although pleasant, are limited. Because of this, many people choose to stay in the bigger nearby cities of Greoux Les Bains or Marseille , traveling by car each day to the lavender fields. 

Hotels in Valensole 😴

Things to do near the Lavender Fields in France

The lavender fields in Provence are the main attraction on your trip. However, there are also some other great things to do while you’re there. For example, exploring the hilltop town of Valensole, walking among the lavender fields, or taking a day trip to Gorges du Verdon (a vast natural canyon that’s great for kayaking).

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This is amazing! I’m having the same issue Gill had: the link to the sunflower/lavender field opens to a blank map in google maps on my iPhone

Hi Julie, we’ve replaced the link to the fields. Hopefully it works now!

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Guide to visiting the Provence lavender fields in France

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written by Kirsten Powley

updated 10.07.2023

With quaint villages and rolling vineyards, Provence is perhaps the best place in the world to see fields upon fields of lavender. This charming region is known for being stunningly beautiful . It is also known for its cuisine that incorporates lavender into its oils, honey and delicious sorbets. Here's everything you need to know when visiting the lavender fields in Provence, France.

Plateau de Valensole lavender fields

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The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to France , your essential guide for visiting France .

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Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

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The Valensole Plateau's lavender fields are perhaps the most famous and photographed in not only Provence but in the world. The area is filled with fields, deep blue lakes and picturesque villages.

Most famous is Valensole itself, situated above the plateau with the 11th century St Blaise church as a focal point. Here and in the pretty village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, there's plenty to explore.

You'll find fields of lavender framed by sunflowers, making this a spectacularly beautiful place to see. One field definitely worth seeking out is at Lavandes Angelvin – uninterrupted views of lavender with seemingly perfectly placed trees. You might even recognise the view as this is one of the most photographed spots in Provence. The best way to explore the Valensole region is by car.

Lavender in Plateau de Valensole, Provence, France © Shutterstock

The Luberon Valley is the locals’ favourite, with its hilltop villages and beautiful scenery. If you want a dose of authentic Provence as a side to your lavender fields, then Luberon Valley is a good choice.

Because the essence of the Luberon Valley is more about the whimsical streets and picturesque villages, lavender fields are naturally less concentrated here than in Valensole and Sault. That’s not to say it won’t still be easy to find them or that they’re any less beautiful, though. Tucked between vineyards and olive groves, you’ll find plenty of Provence lavender fields on a drive.

Some highlights are:

• Senanque Abbey, where the monastery is a unique backdrop to the rows of purple lavender
• The midway point between Gordes, Lacoste and Bonnieux
• The petite village of Rustrel; and Chateaux du Bois

Visiting the chateau itself is only possible by organised tour, and only in early July. The trip is well worth it for the finer fragrance of its fields, thanks to its higher elevation compared to most other Provence lavender fields in France.

Provence lavender fields at Senanque Abbey, Gordes, Provence, France © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

The village of Sault sits on a ridge with forest on one side and a rolling valley on the other. Its well-preserved medieval streets are a pleasure to walk through. Even approaching Sault is a spectacle – the road leading up to this village offers views of the plateau full of lavender.

As it’s more concentrated than the lavender fields of Valensole Plateau, you can easily explore these fields by foot or bike and will never be far away from your next field.

It's easy to seek out the best lavender fields in Sault – there's a 5km lavender path through the finest fields. You can park at the public car park close to the Vallon des Lavandes distillery and walk the path.

One highlight is the field opposite La Bastide des Bourguets, which offers a backdrop of mountains and a charming stone hut which will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

Provence lavender fields are a major draw for keen artists and photographers © S.R.Lee Photo Traveller/Shutterstock

The Drome Provencale region also ranks among the best Provence lavender fields. Lavender gardens here usually burst into bloom from mid-June to early August, with the highest season occurring in July. This is when the fields transform into a sea of vivid purple flowers, creating a spectacular sight.

While visiting the Drome Provencale, you can take leisurely walks on foot or by bicycle through the countryside and enjoy the beautiful views of the lavender fields. There are also a number of farms and distilleries, many of which are open to the public and offer insights into lavender growing, harvesting, and lavender oil production.

Towns and villages in the region organise various festivals, including markets, parades, music and dance performances to celebrate the lavender harvest. The Drome Provencale is also famous for its scenic routes, known as 'Routes de la Lavande', which lead through the most beautiful Provance lavender fields and picturesque villages.

Related articles from the blog

Lavender season in Provence sadly isn't a year-round affair. The best time to see the plants in bloom is from the last week of June to the beginning of August. Peak bloom is around mid-July – although this may vary from year to year depending on the rainfall.

Provence lavender fields are often found next door to sunny sunflower fields which are also best to enjoy in July and August, so if you want the best of both worlds, that's when to go.

While September is no doubt a lovely time to visit the Provence region, with fewer crowds and cooler weather, all of the lavender will have been harvested. Even in late August, you may cut it fine. So if your plan is to avoid the most crowds, your best bet is to go in July before the school's break for the summer holidays.

Like many things, it's best to be flexible if possible. So if you're thinking of heading to France for the lavender season next year, try to give yourself a couple of weeks so you can be sure to witness the fields at the peak of their beauty.

Thinking of visiting France? We can help! See our Colors or Provence trip and start your holiday!

Lavender field summer sunset landscape near Valensole © emperorcosar/Shutterstock

Although the beauty of the Provence lavender fields is stunning, there are some rules and precautions to keep in mind when visiting them:

• It is important to be respectful of the local environment. Stay on designated walking paths and do not trample on plants. Be mindful of private property and follow any signs or instructions from local farmers.
• Resist the temptation to pick a few lavender flowers as a memento. It is highly discouraged to pick flowers in the fields, as this disturbs the natural beauty of the fields and interferes with the growth of the lavender. Appreciate the natural beauty of the flowers and take plenty of photos as a memento.
• Lavender fields are a haven for bees, attracted by the scent of the flowers. Although bees are usually not aggressive, you should be mindful of their presence when walking and be respectful. It is advisable to keep a safe distance from bees, not to brush them off or disturb them. If you have allergies or a fear of bees, take the necessary safety precautions.
• Provence is famous for its sunny weather, so take the necessary sun protection measures before walking through the lavender fields. Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. You should also keep an eye on your water balance, so make sure to bring plenty of water with you.

Hotels in Provence , as in the rest of France, are graded with zero to five stars. The price more or less corresponds to the number of stars. Though, the system is a little haphazard, having more to do with ratios of bathrooms per guest than genuine quality; ungraded and single-star hotels are often very good.

Many family-run hotels close for two or three weeks a year in the low season. In smaller towns and villages they may also shut up shop for one or two nights a week, usually Sunday or Monday. As dates change from year to year and as some places may decide to close for a few days in the low season if they have no bookings, it’s always wise to call ahead to check.

Some great accommodations for seeing the Provence lavender fields are:

• For Plateau de Valensole lavender fields: Château du Grand Jardin
• For Luberon lavender fields: Le Vieux Portail
• For Pays de Sault lavender fields: Le Mas des Lavandes
• For Drome Provencale lavender fields: La Roseraie-Drôme

The Rough Guides to France and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Explore the variety of accommodation options to stay in Provence. And if you want your stay in France to blend in with exploring the stunning surroundings and various outdoor activities, check out our list of the best campsites in France .

Lavender Fields, Aix En Provence © Shutterstock

Gorges du Verdon

The breathtaking beauty and majesty of the Gorges du Verdon, also known as the Grand Canyon du Verdon, almost match its American counterpart. Peppered with spectacular viewpoints, plunging crevices up to 700m deep, and glorious azure-blue lakes, the area is absolutely irresistible. A visit here is one of the best things to do in France.

The river falls from Rougon at the top of the gorge. It then disappears into tunnels, decelerating for shallow, languid moments and finally exiting in full, steady flow at the Pont du Galetas at the western end of the canyon.

Alongside is the huge artificial Lac de Sainte-Croix, which is great for swimming when the water levels are high. Otherwise, the beach becomes a bit sludgy. With so many hairpin bends and twisting narrow roads, it takes a full, rather exhausting day to drive right around the Gorges.

Although Nice is not technically part of Provence, a city break in the capital of the French Riviera is a nice addition to your trip. Far too large to be considered simply a beach resort, it has all the advantages and disadvantages of a major city.

Nice reached its zenith in the belle époque of the late nineteenth century and has retained its historical styles almost intact. For example, the medieval rabbit warren of Vieux Nice, and the Italianate facades of modern Nice. Or the rich exuberance of fin-de-siècle residences dating from when the city was Europe’s most fashionable winter retreat.

It has mementoes from its time as a Roman regional capital, and earlier still, when the Greeks founded the city. The museums are a treat for art lovers, and though its politics are conservative Nice doesn’t feel stuffy. It has a highly visible LGBT community and spirited nightlife.

Place Massena in Nice, France © Shutterstock

• Aix-en-Provence

Were it not for the great metropolis of Marseille, just 30km south, Aix-en-Provence would be the dominant city of central Provence. Historically, culturally and socially, the two cities are moons apart, and for visitors, the tendency is to love one and hate the other.

Aix is more immediately attractive. The tangle of medieval lanes at the city’s heart, known as Vieil Aix, is a great monument in its entirety. You'll find here an enchanting ensemble that’s far more compelling than any individual building or museum it contains.

Aix-en-Provence is a fantastic place to explore. The streets are alive with people. While here, take the chance to explore the many tempting restaurants, cafés and shops. With the backdrop of architectural treats from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it’s easy to while away days enjoying the pleasures of this city.

Capital of the Catholic Church during the early Middle Ages and for centuries a major artistic centre, Avignon remains an unmissable destination. During the Festival d’Avignon in July, it becomes the place to be in Provence.

Low medieval walls still encircle Avignon’s old centre, as it nestles up against a ninety-degree bend in the Rhône river. Their gates and towers restored, the ramparts dramatically mark the historic core off from the formless sprawl of the modern city beyond.

Avignon can be dauntingly crowded, and stiflingly hot, in summer. But it’s worth persevering, not simply for the colossal Palais des Papes (home to the medieval popes, and its fine crop of museums and ancient churches), but also for the sheer energy that pulses through its lanes and alleyways.

This tailor-made tour out of the way in France starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards, continue south to start a few days' walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

Cathedral and Papal Palace (Palais des Papes) in Avignon, Provence, France © Shutterstock

With its sun-kissed golden stone and small-town feel, Arles ranks high among southern France’s loveliest cities. It’s also one of the oldest, with the extraordinary Roman amphitheatre at its heart, Les Arènes, simply the most famous of several magnificent monuments.

Arles is pleasantly laidback – at its liveliest on Saturdays when Camargue farmers come in for the weekly market – and a delightful place simply to stroll around. Its compact central core, tucked into a ninety-degree curve in the river, is small enough to cross on foot in a few minutes. While ancient ruins are scattered everywhere, the heart of the Roman city, the Place du Forum, remains the hub of popular life.

The aerial view of Arles in France © Shutterstock

Seeing the Provence lavender fields is for many a bucket-list travel activity. Ready for your trip to France? Check out The Rough Guide to France or The Rough Guide to Provence & the Cote d'Azur .

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How to explore the lavender fields of France (and things to do when they're not in bloom)

Aug 7, 2022 • 9 min read

Sitting in perfumed silence amongst the lavender flowers is the very vision of Provence © Maples Images / Shutterstock

If there’s one flower that defines France , it’s lavender, thanks to the vast carpets of purple flowers that cover the countryside of Provence . The beauty of the lavender fields lives up to the hype – get out among the purple haze, sniff the heady summer breezes and navigate picturesque hilltop towns, ancient churches and pretty valleys.

Between mid-June and mid-August – especially around the Luberon valley, the Plateau de Valensole near Manosque and the Sault area – you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to lavender experiences. Lavender has been grown in this region for hundreds of years, and bundles of cut lavender, known locally as paille (straw) are still packed  tightly into steam stills to extract their essential oils.

Since 1997, the huile essentielle de lavande de Haute-Provence (Haute-Provence lavender oil) has been protected by its own appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), but the vast majority of farms produce a higher-yielding hybrid called lavandin.

This cross-breed of English and Portuguese lavender produces five times more oil than fine lavender, or lavande . Only a handful of farms still cultivate the more finicky lavande species, though these command much higher prices and (according to aficionados) have a much finer aroma.

Many farms and distilleries are open for visits, detailed on the Routes de la Lavande website; an accompanying leaflet is available from local tourist offices. There are also lavender-themed festivals in Valensole (mid-July), Sault (mid-August) and Valréas (early August).

Here’s a guide to cruising France's lavender fields, with detours to mountainside distilleries and trips to scoop up all things lavender at abundant local markets.

Take snaps of purple Provence at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Isolated and ridiculously photogenic, the 12th-century Cistercian Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque near Gordes is famously framed by lavender. The abbey was founded in 1148 and is still home to a small number of monks. The cloisters have a haunting, severe beauty but reservations are essential if you plan to visit, whether on a guided tour or independently (in the latter case, visitors can borrow an information-packed tablet that shows what abbey life was like in the 13th century). Conservative dress and silence are required; be sure to build in extra time to enjoy the meditative beauty of the lavender fields.

Soar along the Plateau de Valensole

Dreamily quiet Plateau de Valensole, just east of Manosque, has Provence’s greatest concentration of lavender farms. Once you reach Valensole village, make your way to MEA Provence , where you'll find lavender fields, an aromatic garden and exhibition panels about the history of lavender growing on the Valensole plateau. At the shop, you can browse essential oils, soaps, skincare products, dried bouquets, honey, candy, ice cream and other lavender-laced products.

Mingle between lavender and mountains in Sault

This drowsily charming, isolated hilltop town mixes its lavender views with plum orchards and scattered forests. Head to Les Lavandes de Champelle , a roadside farm stand northwest of town, which has great buys for cooks such as fleur de sel (sea salt) infused with Provençal herbs. The lavender up here is known for its dark, OK…deep purple, hue.

The town’s other hot spot is André Boyer , which has kept farmers, cyclists and mountaineers stocked with honey and almond nougat since 1887. Lavender marshmallows and local specialty pognes (an orange-scented brioche) are must-tries. About 30km (19 miles) to the southwest, look out for magnificent views of the red-tinged escarpment and rust-colored village of Roussillon .

The views of 1910m (6266ft) Mont Ventoux, 25km (15.5 miles) to the northwest, are similarly awe-inspiring. Nicknamed le géant de Provence ('the giant of Provence'), this great white hulk is visible from much of the region.  The peak sparkles all year round – once the snow melts, its bare limestone slopes glimmer in the sun; from the summit, clear-day vistas extend to the Alps and the Camargue .

Climb through village lanes for views of St-Saturnin-lès-Apt

St-Saturnin-lès-Apt is a refreshingly ungentrified village, 10km (6km) north of the large town of Apt, with marvelous views of the surrounding Vaucluse plateau punctuated by purple lavender fields. Climb to the ruins atop the village for a knockout vista. At Moulin à Huile Jullien , you can see how olives are milled into oil, with honey and oil tastings thrown in.

Smell all the flowers at Prieuré de Salagon

This beautiful 13th-century priory on the outskirts of Mane is today home to lovely gardens and a diverting museum. This is ethnobotany at its most poetic and sensual – you can wander through recreated medieval herb gardens, fragrant with native lavender, mints and mugworts. Inside the medieval walls, the museum's exhibitions provide a fascinating insight into rural life in Haute-Provence.

The walled town of Mane is lovely for strolling, too, and the Pont Roman de Mane is also worth a look. This triple-arched stone bridge crossing the trickling River Laye dates from the 12th or 13th century and it makes a fine spot for a picnic.

Sweep through the fields of the Southern Luberon

The southern half of the Luberon is equally florally blessed. Lavender carpets the Plateau de Claparèdes between Buoux (west), Sivergues (south), Auribeau (east) and Saignon (north). Cycle, walk or motor through the lavender fields and along the northern slopes of 1125m (3691ft) Mourre Nègre, the Luberon’s highest point, accessible from Auribeau.

Traveling by car or bike, the D113 climbs to the idyllic lavender distillery of Les Agnels , which produces lavender, cypress and rosemary essential oils. The small on-site spa has a lavender-scented swimming pool. Stay at L'Auberge du Presbytère in tiny Saignon, which perches on a high rocky slope, its narrow streets ringed by craggy scrub and petite lavender plots, with incredible vistas across the Luberon to Mont Ventoux.

Cycle through the lavender fields for maximum fragrance

There's no better way to breathe in the rich lavender aromas than exploring by bike. La Provence à Vélo can point you towards classic cycle routes, including one through some of the loveliest lavender fields in the region, following a 33km circular route around the Plateau de Sault.

When are the lavender fields in bloom?

If you love lavender in bloom, mid-June to mid-August is the time to catch it flowering in Provence (July is prime time, but June is impressive too). However, you won't be the only visitor. The schools are out for summer, filling the countryside with tourists, traffic and too many complet (full) signs strung in hotel windows – book well ahead.

The sweet-scented flowers are mechanically harvested when in full bloom, between 15 July and 15 August on a hot dry day. Lorry loads of cut lavender are then packed into steam stills and distilled to extract the sweet essential oils. You can watch the process at the Distillerie du Siron , a traditional, family-run distillery and organic flower farm covering 20 blazing hectares near the medieval village of Thoard, northwest of Digne-les-Bains.

Best lavender experiences (when the fields aren't in bloom)

If you miss the blazing blossoms in summer, it's still worth visiting to see the spring-green lavender fields of Haute-Provence and the Luberon or the autumn-winter fields, a cropped wash of pale grey-blue. And at any time, you can hit other experiences based around this delectable flower.

Just outside the village of Coustellet, the Musée de la Lavande is an excellent eco-museum and working lavender farm where you can immerse yourself in the traditions and history of this Provençal icon and buy lavender goodies in the on-site boutique. Afterward, the hilltop village of Gordes is worth a detour, especially at sunset, followed perhaps by a drink on the panoramic terrace at the lavish Bastide de Gordes hotel.

Or hit the area’s other Musée de la Lavande in Digne-les-Bains, which explores Provence’s lavender-growing culture and stages distilling sessions in its courtyard during summer. The largest town for some miles around, Digne-les-Bains is the capital of the département of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and an important lavender processing center, but it's a little short on must-see sights otherwise.

About 50km (31 miles) southwest, Forcalquier has an upbeat, slightly bohemian vibe, a holdover from the 1960s and 1970s, when artists and back-to-the-landers arrived in the area, fostering a now-booming biologique (organic) movement. Saffron is grown here, absinthe is distilled, and the town is home to the unusual Université Européenne des Senteurs & Saveurs (UESS; European University of Scents and Flavors).

To see it all in action, time your visit to coincide with the Monday morning market. You can also pop in for a drink, a Michelin-starred meal and (if your budget allows) an overnight stay at the luxurious Couvent des Minimes , owned by fragrance house L'Occitane.

The best lavender treats to buy, smell, and taste

Some 80% of the essential oils produced in the region’s 150 distilleries is exported, but the other 20% makes its way to local markets and into the local cuisine and toiletries. Distinctive to Provençal cuisine is the use of lavender as a flavoring – the flowers scent herbal teas, tart up desserts and spice grilled meats, and lavender leaves float in fragrant soups. You’ll also find lavender in ice cream, chocolate, and of course the region's amazing honey. And don’t pass up a lavender crème brûlée if you see it on the menu.

Throughout the region, weekly food markets are filled with trestle tables groaning under the weight of marinated olives, goat's cheese, honey, peaches, melons and a bounty of other sun-kissed fruit, veggies and seasonal food. And, of course, lavender is well represented – from lavender sachets for scenting bedclothes to lavender honey. Keep in mind that some lavender delectables are available at local supermarkets, too.

When shopping for lavender, it's worth knowing that the most sought-after product is fine lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ,  Lavandula vera , or  Lavandula officinalis ), not spike lavender ( Lavandula latifolia ) or the hybrid lavandin ( Lavandula hybrida ). The latter plants are high in camphor and are used mainly to produce detergents, cosmetics and natural paint solvents, not perfume.

The town of Manosque has two lovely fountains and a historic cobblestoned core, but the traffic and suburban nothingness make visiting a nuisance. So why swing by? Just southeast is the factory home of L’Occitane , the company that turned traditional lavender-, almond- and olive oil–based Provençal skincare into a global phenomenon. Factory tours can be booked online; the shop offers a flat 10% discount and there's also a small Mediterranean garden to peruse.

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Valensole Lavender Fields – Guide to the best spots in Provence

Lavender Fields in Valensole: A Guide to Visiting the Most Beautiful Landscapes of France. Every year anticipation builds as the lavender fields of Provence start to gain their telltale purple glow.

Among the best lavender fields in Provence are those in the Valensole Plateau. It’s here you’ll find endless stretches of fragrant rows peppered by stone huts and token trees. The Valensole lavender fields are probably the most visited in all of Provence and the most photographed.

If you are planning to visit the Lavender fields in Provence, France and photographing the gorgeous rolling fields is on your bucket list too, then read on. I answer all your questions on how to get to Provence, which spots to go to, the best Instagram spots, when is the best time to visit, the coordinates of all the spots and the best photography tips for shooting the lavender fields.

Lavender fields in France are located in Southeastern France known as Provence-Alpes-Cote d’ Azur region. There are 3 plateaus where the Lavender fields are located – the Valensole Plateau, Sault Plateau and Luberon Plateau.

Lavender fields in August

Other locations you should check out, the best time to visit valensole lavender fields.

The best time to see lavender in Provence is different depending on where you are in the region. However, the best time to see the bloom is from late June to early August.

Lavender fields in June

• By late June most Lavender in Provence is in bloom.
• Luberon is typically the first, closely followed by the Valensole lavender fields.
• The fine lavender grown in the highest altitudes of Provence is the latest to bloom.

Lavender fields in July

• Early July is the best time to visit lavender fields in Provence. The entire region is peppered with vibrant purple fields. And, if you get in before the school holidays (which normally start after the first week of July), you’re more likely to beat the crowds.
• From mid-July lavender fields start to be harvested in the Valensole plateau.
• The upper Luberon lavender fields and the Château du Bois fine lavender are generally harvested around the 15th of July.
• The lower Luberon (around Lourmarin), the Valensole lavender fields and those around Sisteron are harvested later in July, typically around the 25th of July.
• If you’re visiting Provence in August you may be worried about missing out on seeing the lavender fields at all, but there are still a few lavender fields in bloom in August.
• Aim for the Sault lavender fields or around Banon to find lavender in bloom until the 10th of August.

Find the best experiences of Valensole here

If you would like a guided day tour of Valensole, I definitely recommend this tour to discover the Lavender fields .

The best way to travel would definitely be by hiring a car so you can travel at any time and plan accordingly.

Check out the map below for the GPS coordinates for each location!

Valensole Lavender Fields in Provence

Explore the Plateau de Valensole – The Plateau de Valensole is the largest lavender-growing area in France and spans over 800 square kilometers. The fields are often surrounded by olive groves, almond trees, and wheat fields, sunflower field, small huts providing a picturesque view that will take your breath away.

The best way to explore the plateau is by car or bike, so you can stop and admire the fields at your own pace.

Perhaps the most famous village in the Valensole Plateau is deservedly that of Valensole itself. This colourful village sits elevated above the plateau, with the 11th century St Blaise church at its helm.

Pastel coloured houses crowd the narrow streets and the hidden gardens beckon you to discover their secrets. Take a pause here on your tour of the lavender fields of Valensole to take a stroll, sample lavender-laced delicacies, or sit in a curbside cafe for lunch.

At the other end of the Valensole Plateau lies Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, a picturesque village hanging on the hillside overlooking the vast lac de Sainte-Croix.

Best time to photograph Lavender fields

The best time to go is during Sunrise or Sunset. The lavender fields change in hue based on the time of the day. I found the most stunning colours during the orange and blue hour during sunset.

Visit the lavender farms

1. terraroma.

Terraroma is an iconic lavender farm in Provence, and it’s a beautiful spot for photos open exclusively for Tourists. They even have a sign on the road warning drivers to be “Aware of Wildlife” with pictures of photographers 😀

Park opposite the lavender field, by the distillery Lavandes Angelvin . Wander up the divide between the lavender fields and you’ll find respite from the crowds, and another less frequented lavender field behind. Opposite the Terraroma is a less frequented lavender field perfect for blue hour photography. GPS Coordinate s: 43.8191, 5.93266

Best time to go : I would suggest going by 6.30 PM local time, as the sunset is around 8.30 PM but all the prime spots get occupied by hoards of tourists.

2. Lavandes Angelvin

A short stroll past the Terraroma fields will have you arriving at Lavandes Angelvin – home to some of the more famous Provence lavender fields. With seemingly endless rows of purple perfection, only interrupted by a few well-placed trees, it’s a spot that well deserves its reputation.

GPS: 43.82374, 5.93828

Best time to go : Same as Terraroma, suggest going by 6.30 PM local time, as the sunset is around 8.30 PM but all the prime spots get occupied by hoards of tourists. Both this and the above spot can be done together. Try and frame the tree in the middle with columns of Lavender on both sides.

3. The field with the stone cottage

My favourite spot of all the lavender fields in Valensole. It is easy to miss while driving as the cottage is in the middle of the lavender field in a bit of dip. This is a huge lavender field so you will need to walk down through the lavender rows to get a good shot of the hut. Please take care not to damage the lavender as you trod.

There are many bees but they are very gentle.

GPS: 43.892514, 6.116406

Best time to go : Going anytime during the day is great on this field since the lavender field look different in a different light. As the valley is surrounded by mountains.

4. The half and half- Lavender with Sage

This field gives a beautiful hue of purple along with pink and the smell is otherworldly. Lavender on one side and sage on the other looks perfect no matter what time of day you decide to visit.

GPS: 43.894655, 6.119731

Best time to go : As I mentioned above going anytime during the day would be fine. The field remains free of the crowd.

5. The lavender fields with sunflowers

Two of my favourite flower fields are next to each other. This is quite stunning to see, however, we went in early July and the Sunflowers were not completely in bloom. However, this is one of the iconic spots you will see on every Instagrammers page visiting Valensole making it a must-visit spot in the full bloom of both Lavender and sunflowers.

GPS: 43.860220, 5.990040

Best time to go : The best time to visit is in early August when the Sunflowers have bloomed.

6. Lavender field with hot air Balloons in the background

Another classic must-see shot with Lavender fields and the background of hot air balloons but these are a bit tricky as you will have to find the day the hot air balloons are ready to fly on the previous day. And wake up early in the morning during sunrise to get a shot.

GPS: 43.836132, 6.118174

Best time to go : Be at the spot by sunrise around 5 am or earlier depending on when the sun rises in summer locally.

1. Gorges du Verdon : The Gorges is a river canyon located in Provence Alpes Cote d’Azure region of Southeastern France. It is formed by the Verdon river, which is named for its turquoise-green colour, one of the location’s distinguishing characteristics. If you haven’t visited, definitely worth visiting and having a relaxing picnic plus drinks on the boat. GPS: Navigate to this location on an afternoon when the sun is lower or early in the morning to avoid crowds.

2. Salin de Giraud: A hidden gem not known by many tourists and only frequented by locals. Nestled near the village is this huge Salt marsh that is worth visiting. Due to a particular type of Algae that grows in the Marshes, gives it its Pink colour. And if you are like me and have a bucket list of visiting pink lake then you will definitely admire this place. Looking for the village on Google Maps will take you to the wrong location. Follow the GPS link below, you can visit anytime and the entry fee is 10 euros per person. GPS : 43.4047204,4.7170707

Curated Best experiences in Valensole:

Valensole’s lavender fields offer a unique and breathtaking experience that is not to be missed. By following these tips, you can make the most out of your visit and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

Keep that dream alive!

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Valensole Lavender fields: Practical tips and when to visit (Provence)

• Post category: Provence & French Riviera
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

There is no question, when you think of Provence in the South of France, you think of lavender fields. This small decorative flower has gained a starring role as one of the most popular tourist attractions in France .

Known as “blue gold”, the plant has been cultivated for centuries in the area called the Plateau of Valensole in Provence, for its scent and its essential oils.

And not only does it smell and look wonderful, this ornamental plant also contributes phytochemical ingredients to traditional medicines, cosmetics, and more.

So if you are going to be in the area around Aix-en-Provence or Avignon , you should definitely make a stop to explore this powerhouse of a flower from the South of France.

1. Best time to visit

If you want to see lavender fields, you have to visit Provence in the summer. There is no point visiting in October because there will be no lavender growing. The best time to visit Provence, when the lavender is at its peak, is between mid- June to mid- July .

If you come too early, the lavender will not be very high, and if you come too late, it will already be harvested. Also, you should note that French school holidays start the 2nd week of July so Provence becomes a lot busier as a tourist destination.

☞ READ MORE: French holiday calendar: All the official and quirky celebrations

2. Getting around

In order to see the lavender fields, you will need a car to get around. Public buses will not be convenient even if you are right in Valensole, so I highly recommend renting a car.

There are also tours that leave from nearby Aix-en-Provence or Avignon if you are not comfortable trying to drive on single-lane French roads.

The tours will take you to the field, explain the harvesting process, and even give you the opportunity to pick up a few provençale souvenirs . You can find a list of lavender tours here.

3. Where to stay

You could choose to stay in the village of Valensole itself, or the afore-mentioned Aix-en-Provence which is one hour away.

While Valensole will give you the charm of a small French village , Aix-en-Provence is where the chic people live, sometimes being referred to as the 21st arrondissement of Paris .

In Valensole:

€€€€ – Château du Grand Jardin

In Aix-en-Provence :

€€€ – Hôtel des Augustins

€€€€ – Aquabella hotel and spa

☞ READ MORE: Best Things to do in Aix-en-Provence

4. Finding lavender

You will find lavender fields all over the Plateau de Valensole, so don’t stress about finding it. (There is no need for GPS coordinates. Trust me, you will feel silly that you drove around with GPS coordinates when the fields are everywhere!)

You can easily combine it with a regular day trip such as visiting the Gorges du Verdon , Lourmarin , Roussillon , or Moustier-Sainte-Marie . As you are driving, you will easily cross several fields that you can stop and take a picture at.

If you do want more precise locations, here are a couple: when leaving the village of Valensole , follow the ‘ Route de Riez ‘ also known as the D6 . After exiting Valensole you should soon see a large lavender field on the side of the road. Another alternative is the D8 , which also will take you to a lavender field about 5 minutes outside of town.

The Sénanque Abbey which is about 1h30 away from Valensole is also famous for its spectacular lavender fields in front of it.

5. Go early in the morning

It gets hot in Provence, so head out early in the morning. You don’t want to be trying to find lavender under a 35C° (95F°) degree heatwave and blazing sun!

The light is also better for taking photos in the morning, so try to aim for that golden hour.

6. Don’t enter the field

Now, this is an important one that every French lavender farmer will tell you: Don’t enter the field. I know that you have come from afar to visit the lavender fields, and want to take one of the famed Instagram photos, but this is that farmer’s livelihood.

Lavender is fragile and farmers work hard all year long to plant their crops and that is the harvest for the full year. Having visitors trampling through the fields significantly compromises the quality of the lavender.

Not to mention that this is private property, and besides being illegal, it is just rude. Just take a few pictures from the side of the field, and you’ll be good to go.

As an additional note, the fields are usually full of bees who love lavender so you don’t want to get stung by wandering into the field!

7. Don’t pick the flowers

I know this is not what you were hoping to hear, but as with the point above, this is the livelihood of those farmers. Just as you wouldn’t walk into a store, grab a couple of items and walk out, don’t pick the lavender without paying for it.

You can easily find many artisanal lavender shops in Valensole, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille , or any other town in Provence and pick up a few sachets of lavender instead.

In fact, you can get more interesting items such as essential oils, soaps, etc. that will actually survive your plane trip back home than a few sprigs of lavender.

Shop Favorites :

• Lavender and Cherry cream – by Occitanie
• Lavender Gift set – by Occitanie

8. Enjoy the taste

And rather than just smelling it, why not try some lavender ice cream at local ice creams, a cup cake , or some candy ? There’s plenty to choose from, so keep your eyes wide open as you browse through town. You can read more about local foods and drinks to try in Provence here.

Will you be putting the lavender fields on your list on your next holiday in Provence? If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy reading more about nearby places in  Provence and the French Riviera . Bon voyage and à bientôt!

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Best Lavender Fields in Provence, France + Essential Tips

The rolling hills filled with Lavender Fields in Provence are a dream come true. First you are stopping by for a quick minute to take a snap a picture of the beautiful blur of purple then before you’ve realized it, you’ve spent the entire day exploring the stunning Lavender Fields dotted around Provence.

Whether you are dying to get the perfect Instagram snap or not, you will want to make sure your camera (or phone) batteries are fully charged. Be prepared to be captivated by the beauty of the Lavender Fields.

Here are some other articles that might help you plan your trip to Paris and Europe :

The Ultimate Guide to the top 11 things to do in Paris How to spend a perfect day in Paris The Ultimate Guide to the Eurail Pass The Ultimate Guide to travelling around Europe on a budget The Top 15 Things to do in London

Table of Contents

When to visit the Lavender Fields

So, no one likes to hear the answer, it depends but unfortunately, it really does depend. When to see the Lavender in full bloom depends on the region you are visiting and whether the rains comes early or late in the year you visit.

However, below is a rough guide that might help you decide when you should see the Lavender in Provence.

In June most of the lavender in the region should be in bloom and early July the entire region should be covered in Lavender but it is also high season for the tourists.

The lavender in Provence is harvested around the 15th of July , however, if you visit the lower Luberon region they begin harvesting in late July.

By the end of July into August we have reached the tail of the lavender season, however, if you are lucky you can still see some lavender around but it will be more sparse.

In terms of the time of day to visit the Provence Lavender Fields, you will want to visit either at sunrise or sunset. Sunrise and sunset are the best time to takes photos as the light is softer and more golden. Even if you are not into taking photos, the lavender fields are less busy early in the morning or late in the evening.

How to get around Provence

Without a doubt, the best way to get around Provence is to hire a car . There is limited transportation options to see the Lavender fields.

Many of the roads are small so allow plenty of time so you are not rushing around the small roads. In Europe, many of the hire cars are manual, if you are not comfortable driving a manual make sure you hire an automatic.

The Best Tours of the Lavender in Provence

If you would rather take an organized tour you can take day trips from Aix-en-Provence , Avignon or Marseille . Depending on the tour you take, you will have the opportunity to visit some museums or wineries. All of the tours take the whole day so make sure you allow time in your itinerary.

The best Lavender fields in Provence

Valensole plateau.

Ophelie, Limitless Secrets

The Valensole Plateau features some of the most beautiful lavender fields in France! Located around the village of Valensole in Provence , this area is definitely one of the most famous ones to see the lavender in bloom!

The best moment to visit the Valensole Plateau is at the end of June and the beginning of July, when the lavender is in full bloom. The best way to get there is by car , as the fields are not easily accessible by public transport.

You can reach the region of Provence with the train from Paris . The closest train station is Manosque- Gréoux les Bain, but you can also stop in Aix-en-Provence. From those cities it’s possible to rent a car.

This will allow you to wander around as there are many places to visit on top of the lavender fields in this area! Here are some photography tips for the lavender fields: take your photos at sunrise or sunset if you want to avoid the harsh light, the heat and the bees during the day. And if you want to avoid the crowd, it’s even better at sunrise!

There are a few lavender fields close to Valensole. And you will find them also round the towns of Riez, Puimoisson and Gréoux les Bains.

Here are some of the other things you do in this area. You can visit all the villages: they are all charming and typical! Valensole is a pretty medieval village and Riez features some Roman ruins. If you like hiking, swimming and nature you can go to the Gorges du Verdon and the Lac de Sainte Croix.

A great place to stay in Valensole is the Château du Grand Jardin . This romantic Chateau from the 19th century has been transformed in a bed and breakfast. 

Sénanque Abbey

Elisa, Travel France Bucket List

Exploring the lavender fields of Provence is one of the  top things to do in France . There are various areas with lavender fields in Provence, and the blooming season will depend on the area and the weather conditions during the previous months.

One of the top places to see the lavender fields in Provence is the Abbey of Sénanque. This is a cute Romanesque building located in the Luberon, not far from famous hilltop towns like Gordes or Roussillon.

The best way to visit theThe Sénanque Abbey was built in the 12th century and still today is inhabited by Cistercian monks. The monks spend most of the time praying, and they grow lavender around the building for their livelihood.

Today, it is possible to visit the public parts of the abbey on a guided visit. The abbey also has an extensive shop selling different lavender-based products and other souvenirs related to Provence.

Most of the visitors, however, come to Sénanque Abbey only to see the lavender fields. These are the most picturesque lavender fields in the region because of the abbey in the background.

The best way to visit the Sénanque Abbey is by car or on a guided tour from Avignon. Avignon has a wide choice of hotels for all budgets .

Gorge du Verdon

Izzy & Phil, The Gap Decaders

The iconic lavender fields of France assault your senses with their vivid colour and fragrant smell. Seemingly stretching for mile upon mile of bee covered neatly trimmed rows, the lavender here is some of the best in the world.

Grown for culinary purposes and to provide fragrance for many different products, lavender is the life blood of Provence and ensures the incomes of many. The distinctive shrub blooms between mid-June and mid-July, and If you are road tripping in France at the right time of year, you’ll be surrounded by it!  

Stretching north from the Gorge du Verdon, across the beautiful Valensole plateau are field upon field of lavender. If you prefer to travel  off the beaten path in France , then stick to the fields close to Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon as they are a lot less visited than those closer to the town of Valensole. Alongside the dusky lavender, you’ll also find fields of sunflowers and wheat, surrounded by the picture-perfect villages of the region.

If you don’t mind crowds, head for Lavandes Angelvin. Uninterrupted views of lavender with perfectly shaped and positioned trees make this is one of the most photographed places in Provence. Wherever you go lavender hunting, get there early in the morning for the best light, fewer people and the chance of the best images.

Stay at the gorgeous Le Mas de La Crémaillère in Greoux-les-Bains for easy access to both Valensole and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. You’ll find a warm welcome, simple and stylish comfortable rooms, plus a pool for those hot Provencal afternoons.

Kat, Wandering Bird

Talk to anyone about seeing the lavender fields in France, and they’ll talk to you about Provence.

One of the best places in Provence for lavender fields is Valensole.

Valensole have some of the most popular lavender fields, which means you need to get there really early to avoid the worst of the crowds. 

There’s plenty of parking available at Valensole, even if you’re in a larger vehicle like a camper van. Expect to spend an hour or so wandering the fields (and taking way too many photos for Instagram!)

When you’re done, try and visit a lavender producer to see how the oil is manufactured- it’s a fascinating process. 

The fields are at their best anytime between the end of June and the middle of August. Each year is a little different as it depends on weather and heat- mid July is always a safe bet.

If you’re in the area in June and July, there’s plenty to do. If you want to avoid the crowds on the beaches, head inland and explore the breath-taking  Gorges du Verdon  and the surrounding lakes. There are plenty of cute BnBs and hotels in the area to stay at- try the Villa Borghese for beautiful surroundings and a great pool.

Drôme Provençale

Fiona, Travelling Thirties

The Drôme Provençale is a hidden when it comes to the Lavender Fields in Provence.

The Drôme Provençale is surrounded by mountains, cliffs and picturesque villages, it is also filled with Lavender.

If you are interested in learning more about Lavender this is the place to bee. There are many museums, distilleries and farms where you can stop to learn more about the Lavender, how it used for medicinal purposes, the honey that is made and the floral aspects of Lavender.

Don’t forget to taste (and purchase) the local goods that are made from these beautiful Lavender fields.

Where to stay in Provence

To get the best of the Provence region and to experience what life is like in this part of France, I recommend staying in an airbnb or even with the locals at a bed and breakfast.

If you would rather a hotel check out Aquabella Hôtel & Spa in Aix-en-Provence, Villa des Roses   in Luberon or Les Jardins de Baracan in Avignon

What is you top tip for visiting the Provence Lavender Fields? Let me know in the comments below

I'm Fiona, the Australian blogger behind Travelling Thirties. Travel has always been my passion since 2007. I created this site to help inspire you to travel the world. In 2010 I moved from Australia to Scotland with $500 and a one way ticket, no one thought I'd last 5 minutes but I lasted 5 years. I share everything from one day itineraries to travel tips and tricks from Australia to Europe that will inspire you to get out and travel. Some of my favourite countries I have been to are France, Finland, Denmark, and England.

Travel Expertise: Europe Travel, France Travel, Christmas Markets, travel planning, itineraries and travel tips

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• Where + When to Photograph Lavender Fields in Provence
• By Lisa Michele Burns

The Provence lavender fields are a photogenic landscape you need to visit this summer!

Rolling hills of purple lavender stretch into the distance contrasting with wheat and sunflower fields that make photographers go gaga. It’s the kind of scenery that’s almost addictive to capture; every little patch of lavender seems more photogenic than the next, each sprig more plentiful and every changing hour produces a more beautiful light.

Knowing when to visit to photograph the lavender is essential to planning a successful photography mission because you don’t want to arrive in August and find fields of dirt…it’s really not that fun. Of course there are still all of the beautiful medieval villages of Provence however if you time it right you can see all of them PLUS lavender, a combination that will keep your camera clicking all day long.

If you’d prefer to skip scrolling, ditch the ads and download a 48 page PDF to take with you while exploring Provence, I’ve published a Guide to Photographing the Villages and Lavender Fields of Provence …Hooray!! Complete with photo tips, day trip ideas and itineraries of where to photograph and when.

When to visit Provence for Lavender Fields…

Each year the season varies slightly depending on weather conditions leading up to the summer months. If you’re looking to book a trip to Provence, your best chance at seeing lavender in it’s big, beautiful blooming state will be from mid-June to mid-July.

Using the past three years as an example, the last few days of June and first few days of July tend to be the best. The lavender is tall and lush and neighbouring sunflower fields and wheat crops help to create a scenery that’s ideal for photography.

WHERE TO FIND LAVENDER IN PROVENCE

If you’re driving throughout Provence during June and July you’ll no doubt stumble across a lavender field, it’s almost inevitable. Those visiting purely to photograph lavender though are best to do some research beforehand to find where the best fields are to ensure you’re in the right spot at the right time to photograph sunset.

I’ve written before about my favourite lavender fields but since they change each year due to temperature, weeds, popularity, it’s worthwhile to allow yourself time to visit more than one or two fields and to make a proper road trip in Provence scouting some gorgeous spots!

LE PLATEAU DE VALENSOLE

The Plateau de Valensole is known as the best area to witness the lavender in its full glory, with fields facing sunset offering photographers an ideal opportunity to capture sun stars, warm tones and pastel imagery during dusk. The variety of fields found throughout the Valensole region is reason enough to visit, but close by you’ll also find the Gorges du Verdon and Moustiers-Saintes-Marie, touted as the most beautiful village in Provence.

Click here to read my guide to lavender in the Valensole area

Perhaps the second most popular area for viewing lavender is Sault, an area located in the northern corner of Vaucluse, Provence. Its fields are a little more spread out than those in Valensole and I found their outlook is less scenic as opposed to the higher elevation of the Plateau de Valensole but it’s a different landscape to photograph and has it’s highlights. You’ll find many distilleries located here which offer tours of their production facilities, farms and chateaus.

Sault is located near the epic peak of Mont Ventoux , famed for it’s inclusion in the Tour de France, it rises at 1,912m high and looks over the surrounding landscapes. If you can find a lavender field with Mont Ventoux as a backdrop it will make for a stunning image!

Sault hosts the annual Fete de la lavande on August 15th to close and celebrate the season.

LUBERON VILLAGES

Scattered throughout the Luberon are not only medieval villages but lavender and sunflower fields! When driving between Bonnieux and Lacoste or Gordes, you’ll pass so many purple landscapes, each with varying features. Between June and August, if you’re village hopping your way around Provence you are sure to pass lavender fields so if taking the perfect landscape photo isn’t your main goal, this is a great way to still see lavender and pair it with outdoor markets, long lunches and some French culture.

Near Gordes you’ll find the Musee de la Lavande and Le Chateau du Bois which produces beautiful lavender products. The museum is open year round so even if you miss the season, pop in to learn all about the production process.

Click here for a more detailed guide on which beautiful villages to visit in Provence!

ABBAYE DE SÉNANQUE

Nestled in a scenic valley near Gordes, the Abbaye de Sénanque is one of the most picturesque scenes of Provence. In summer, lavender fields lead toward the abbey providing a vantage point that’ll make any photographer happy. There is an entry fee if you wish to wander through the abbey itself, however if you wish to simply take photographs of the lavender field, you can do so by parking your car and walking back down the road a little or by taking photos just before the entry. It’s worth a peek inside though!

*Please note the Abbaye de Sénanque is VERY popular so arriving early is essential in avoiding traffic delays on the narrow access roads. Otherwise my tip would be to concentrate your time around Valensole instead.

eBOOK: A Photographer’s Guide to Provence

If you’re in the midst of planning a trip to Provence, I’ve just published an eBOOK which features 48 pages of information about the best lavender fields, photography tips, a suggested 48hr itinerary for photographers along with beautiful villages and photogenic experiences.

Take a peek and get your copy here to take with you along for the adventure!

Hello! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens. With 17+yrs experience as a professional travel and landscape photographer, all advice found on this site is from my personal experience on the road. I hope it’s useful for your own travels and would love to hear in the comments about your trips and experiences around the world.

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Blog comments.

July 7, 2018 at 7:12 pm

This is a great post! I have been wanting to go see the lavender fields and I saved this for the time I finally make it. Beautiful photos!

July 7, 2018 at 7:15 pm

Wow! Your photos are stunning and dreamy! It really makes me want to go and see all the beautiful lavender fields.

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Provence Lavender Fields, France - Complete Travel Guide

Start planning your dream Provence's lavender fields getaway with our complete travel guide. Learn the best times to visit, top sights, and hidden gems in France's fragrant purple paradise.

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Provence is synonymous with lavender; the vibrant purple hues and sweet, aromatic scent of this delicate flower have become iconic markers of the region. Here, endless rows of vibrant purple stretch across rolling hills, creating a picturesque tapestry that captivates the senses. The sweet fragrance of lavender fills the air, enhancing the serene beauty of the landscape. Exploring these fields, whether by cycling along the winding paths or leisurely strolling through charming Provencal villages with their quaint boutiques and inviting cafes, is to experience the essence of French countryside charm.

Beyond its beauty, Provence’s lavender fields hold a rich history and are unparalleled in scale compared to other regions around the world. This is a place where the simple act of being amidst the lavender rows can be transformative, offering moments of peace and awe-inspiring views.

Ready to be mesmerized by the allure of these famous fields? Dive into our guide, and let's plan your unforgettable journey to the lavender heartland of Provence.

If you're looking for the ultimate Lavender Fields experience in Provence, then you'll need to plan your trip around the blooming season. The absolute best time to visit the Lavender Fields is in late June to early August, with peak bloom typically occurring in mid-July. This timeframe can vary depending on the weather and temperature, however, so it's important to do some research and plan ahead. If you are hoping to see Lavender Fields at a slightly higher elevation, such as in Sault, the optimal time frame is slightly later, from early July to mid-August. Regardless of when you visit though, this stunning landscape is sure to take your breath away! So put on your comfortable walking shoes and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Provence. After all, this is truly a destination like no other.

The Lavender fields of Provence are famous for their vibrant colors and beautiful blooms, making them an essential destination for any nature lover. The best place to see these epic fields is in the Plateau de Valensole, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. With its expansive fields and sweeping vistas, this area provides the perfect backdrop for a truly breathtaking natural experience. Additionally, there are numerous other regions in Provence that boast amazing lavender fields, including Pays de Sault and Luberon in Vaucluse. Whether you're looking for a serene escape or a thrilling adventure in nature, the lavender fields of Provence have something for everyone. Let's check out one by one…

The most famous and most photographed fields are located in the Valensole Plateau. The Valensole Plateau lavender fields are renowned for their unmatched natural beauty and stunning displays of color. Situated in the heart of Provence, these iconic fields attract thousands of visitors from around the world every year. With vast expanses of lavender, sunflowers, and wheat set against a backdrop of sunny skies and deep blue lakes, this region truly is a photographer's dream. Valensole itself is an idyllic village perched high atop the plateau. Here you will find a wealth of quaint cafes and charming shops, as well as spectacular views stretching across the rolling landscape below. Additionally, the picturesque village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is another must-see destination in this magical place. With its graceful spires rising up from amidst wildflower-covered hillsides, this classic French village offers a glimpse into what Provence must have looked like centuries ago.

The Most beautiful Lavender Fields to see in Valensole

There are countless fields to check out in the Valensole Plateau, but some stand out as particularly popular and breathtaking. The Angelvin Two Famous Trees : is one of the area's most breathtaking natural attractions. It may be found along the D6 road, 5 kilometers from Valensole toward Manosque. This sprawling field of purple lavender plants offers sweeping vistas and splendid photo opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for any nature lover as well as the photographer.

If you want to experience the best of nature's beauty, then you need to visit this lavender field at sunset. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy a more tranquil experience, try visiting at sunrise. With the quiet stillness of dawn and the beautiful golden light of the sunrise, you'll have the whole field all to yourself.

Or perhaps you are looking for somewhere that offers even more photo opportunities? In that case, be sure to check out the nearby sunflower field as well. The yellow flowers will make for gorgeous backdrops and accentuate your stunning photos of these magnificent lavenders. Whatever time of day you decide to go, one thing is for sure: this sunflower field is simply unforgettable. Tiny house in the valley : to get to this serene field, you simply need to head 15 kilometers south of Valensole, in the direction of Puimoisson, on the D8 road. Nestled deep in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and fields of lavender, this modest house is almost invisible from the road. Because of this, it's easy to miss, so trust us, the house is there, even though you can barely see it!

At sunrise or sunset, when the rising or setting sun casts its warm glow across the valley, this magical field comes alive with vibrant hues of purple as far as the eye can see. If you're lucky enough, you may even catch sight of some hot air balloons floating gracefully across the sky above you. Stone house with mountains in the background : in the Valensole lies another stone cottage, although this one looks nothing like the first. The lavender field with stone cottage is located 20 kilometers away from Valensole, to reach the stone house in the valley from Valensole, take the D8 road (in the same direction as to the tiny house in the valley) and turn right into the D953 road.

If you're an early riser, you won't want to miss the light coming out from behind the stone house and the mountains while you enjoy this field. Since this field is not well-known and is located some distance from Valensole (let alone Manosque), you have a good chance of having it all to yourself. The rows of lavender are spaced out nicely, making it easy to wander between them.

Things to do near the Valensole Lavender Fields

When you find yourself near the Valensole lavender fields, there are plenty of exciting things to do and explore. One of the top activities is definitely the Valensole Lavender Festival , which is held in the town every third Sunday of July. This fun and vibrant festival showcases local culture and art while celebrating one of France's most iconic smells: lavender! Other great ideas include kayaking or relaxing on an electric boat at the beautiful Gorges du Verdon . If you're looking for a bit more relaxation, why not spend a day lazing around by the Lake of Sainte-Croix ? With its clear blue waters and stunning mountain backdrop, it's sure to be a memorable experience. Last but not least, don't miss the chance to visit some of the lovely hilltop villages surrounding the lavender fields, such as Aiguines or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie . With so many delightful things to experience, there's no doubt that you'll have a fantastic time when you're visiting the Valensole lavender fields!

Best places to Stay in Valensole Plateau near Lavender Fields

Several hotels in Valensole are conveniently located close to lavender farms. What follows is a selection of our favorites: Le Jardin de Celina Guesthouse : situated in the heart of Valensole, about five minutes away from the "Lavandes Angelin" lavender fields. After a day of exploring lavender fields, reward yourself with a sauna session and perhaps a massage, facial, or body treatment . B&B Monsite - La Maison dans l'Olivette : this beautiful B&B is surrounded by lavender fields and olives, making it an alternative fantastic choice. The accommodations at La Maison dans l'Olivette feature air conditioning, a garden, and complimentary WiFi. equipped with a swimming pool and a patio for lounging.

There is a flat-screen TV in the living room, as well as a private bathroom with a hair dryer, free toiletries, and a shower. There is a garden view from the terrace of each unit. Daily service begins with a complimentary continental breakfast. B&B Les Chambres d Hôtes de Valensole : this B&B, like the last one, is flanked by lavender and not only, but also sunflower fields, which makes it unique. It may be found right on the main road leading to the Gorges du Verdon, in the middle of the lavender-growing region of the Valensole plateau.

From the top of the property, you can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding lavender fields while admiring the panoramic vistas and snapping photos and videos from every angle. Whether you're an experienced photographer or simply love to appreciate nature at its most beautiful, there is no doubt that a trip to the Valensole Plateau lavender fields will be an unforgettable experience. So if you're looking for an oasis that combines nature's most vibrant hues with laid-back country charm, look no further than this one-of-a-kind destination!

Located in the Provence region of France, Sault is renowned for its breathtaking lavender fields. Set atop a ridge, Sault enjoys sweeping views of the surrounding valley, which is dotted with verdant fields of fragrant lavender. What makes Sault truly unique, however, is the density and variety of these fields. Thanks to its strategic location at the heart of the Provence lavender region, Sault boasts some of the most spectacular fields in all of France. Whether you choose to meander along one of Sault's many hiking paths or simply explore on foot or by bike, you are sure to be captivated by these wondrous swathes of purple flowers against a picturesque landscape. So if you're looking for a truly special and memorable experience in Provence, look no further than Sault's celebrated lavender fields.

Most Popular Lavender Fields to Check Out in Sault Plateau

If you're looking for the best lavender fields in all of the Sault Plateau, look no further than the area just across from La Bastide des Bouquets . Surrounded by majestic mountains and featuring a charming stone cottage that looks straight out of a fairy tale, this is one spot not to miss on your next trip to Sault Plateau. Another great place to check out is Le Chemin des Lavandes , a popular hiking trail that stretches for about 5 kilometers through quiet countryside and lush lavender fields. Whether you're an experienced hiker or simply looking for a relaxing stroll in nature, this scenic path is a must-see destination in the Sault Plateau. If you're looking for some fantastic lavender products, be sure to pay a visit to the beautiful Botanical garden at La Ferme aux Lavandes near the town center. From delicious lavender-infused salts and oils to plants and flowers, there are plenty of unique items here guaranteed to make any lavender lover swoon. And last but certainly not least, don't miss Les Lavandes de Champelle - a roadside farm stand on the outskirts of town selling locally produced goods, including fresh sea salt (fleur de sel) infused with Provencal herbage. No matter what your reason for visiting Sault Plateau, one thing's for sure - you won't want to miss exploring these amazing lavender fields!

Things to do near the Sault Plateau Lavender Fields

There are many exciting things to do near the Sault Plateau lavender fields. For adventurous explorers, there are several caves nearby that are perfect for caving expeditions. Some of the most popular ones include Meynière Avenue, Trou de l'Ermite , Bouffard Avenue, Jean Nouvel Avenue, and Cougnoux Avenue. If you prefer a more relaxing experience , you can take a hike or a mountain bike ride on the Plateau d'Albion towards Mont Ventoux and Monts du Vaucluse. Or if you're up for an adrenaline rush, try paragliding at Mont Ventoux - one of the highest peaks in the area. No visit to this region would be complete without stopping by Nougat André Boyer - a local confectionery shop owned by master nougat-maker André Boyer. Here you can sample some of his delicious white nougat, black nougat, Provencal macaroons, einkorn galettes, Calissons, traditional marshmallows, and much more. Finally, if you happen to be in town during the annual Lavender Festival on August 15th , don't miss all the exciting activities and performances that make this event so special! Whether it's experiencing essential oils workshops and folkloric dances or shopping for locally made lavender products and artisan handcrafts, there truly is something for everyone at the festival.

Best places to Stay in Sault Plateau near Lavender Fields

Looking for the perfect place to stay in the Sault Plateau near Lavender Fields? Whether you're looking for an adults-only bed and breakfast, a farm stay with fresh local cuisine, or a budget-friendly hotel in downtown Sault, there are plenty of great options to choose from. One of the best places to stay in this area is La Bastide des Bourguets , with breathtaking views of the countryside at the base of Mont Ventoux. Just keep in mind, that this is an adults-only B&B with an outdoor swimming pool and a variety of delicious continental and buffet breakfast options. For those who love nature and outdoor activities, La Maguette is another great option in the area. A lavender farm located just a short drive from Sault, La Maguette offers accommodations with a restaurant with home-cooked meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, as well as easy access to fun outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Last but not least, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, Hotel D'Albion offers clean and comfortable rooms right in the town of Sault, complete with amenities like free WiFi and private bathrooms. No matter what type of trip you're planning to this beautiful region, there are plenty of great places to stay in the Sault Plateau near Lavender Fields!

The Massif du Luberon is a truly magical place, with its rolling hillsides and hilltop villages dotting the landscape. Whether you are looking for all the charm of authentic Provence or just want to soak up the serene atmosphere of the fields, this is the perfect destination for anyone looking to explore the world of lavender. Unlike some of the other lavender regions in France, such as Valensole or Sault, Luberon Valley's lavender fields are less concentrated. However, this only makes them more enchanting in their beauty. Tucked between vineyards and olive groves, these picturesque fields can be found along winding country roads, beckoning visitors towards them with their sweet aroma. Whether you spend your time wandering amongst the fields or exploring charming hilltop villages like Gordes or Roussillon, one thing is certain: Luberon Valley's lavender fields will delight and inspire you at every turn. So why not pack your bags and discover this magical region for yourself? The experience is simply unforgettable.

Most Popular Lavender Fields to Check Out in Luberon

There are many beautiful lavender fields located throughout the Luberon region of Provence. The most popular and picturesque fields to explore include Senanque Abbey , with its sea of purple blooms and the stunning backdrop of the monastery. Another great option is Lacoste , where you can take in sweeping views of sprawling fields against the backdrop of the iconic ruined castle perched on top of the village. The next of the top spots to see lavender in all its glory is the village of Bonnieux , located at the top of a hill overlooking the Luberon Valley. From this vantage point, you can enjoy sweeping views of endless fields and hills blanketed in dusky purple flowers. Additionally, if you're visiting in the morning, you can capture stunning photos against dramatic backdrops such as historic villages or jagged mountain ridges. Literally just down the road from Bonnieux is Saignon , another Luberon gem that shouldn't be missed. Home to dramatic landscapes and panoramic views, Saignon attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts alike who flock here to admire its striking natural beauty. Perhaps best known for its dramatic castle-topped promontory, Saignon also offers plenty of opportunities for great pictures among its picturesque rows of lavender. Whether you're looking to simply wander through vibrant rows of blooming plants or want to capture that perfect picture with medieval buildings in the background, Luberon's lavender fields are not to be missed!

Things to do near the Luberon Lavender Fields

There are many amazing things to do near the Luberon Lavender Fields, including the Roussillon ochre trail . This beautiful walking trail winds its way through dramatic ochre cliffs and steep gorges, allowing visitors to marvel at the stunning natural landscape of the area. Additionally, there is Musée de la Lavande in Coustellet , a museum dedicated to all things lavender that teaches visitors about the history of this fragrant plant and its role in local culture and cuisine. If you're looking for a day trip from these lavender fields, consider heading over to Avignon . Famous for its imposing medieval city walls and elegant palaces, this historic city is a must-visit for anyone seeking an enriching cultural experience. There are plenty of charming cafes and shops to explore as well as fascinating museums like the Avignon History Museum . So if you're looking for something fun and exciting to do near the Luberon Lavender Fields, look no further than these amazing nearby attractions!

Best places to Stay in the Luberon near Lavender Fields

When looking for the best places to stay in the beautiful region of Luberon near lavender fields, there are a variety of options available. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option that still puts you directly in the midst of all the natural beauty, or something more luxurious and romantic, there is something for every taste and budget. Some top choices include: At Les Granges , guests can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding area and take advantage of budget-friendly room rates. Those looking for a little more space and luxury might prefer Les Oursillons , which offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, and a garden as well as many other modern amenities. And if you are looking for a truly special experience amid spectacular views of the mountains and lavender fields beyond, Charme Romantique is an ideal choice thanks to its stunning 18th-century building and excellent amenities.

The weather in Provence during the lavender season is typically hot and sunny, with little to no rainfall. This makes it the perfect time for soaking up the sun and relaxing amidst the beautiful lavender fields. However, temperatures can reach scorching levels, so be sure to pack plenty of sun protection such as hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. In addition, the mornings and evenings tend to be quite cold, so make sure to bring a jacket or sweater with you as well.

If you're looking to experience the beautiful lavender fields of Provence, there are a few key travel tips to keep in mind. The closest airport to these stunning blooms is Marseille, which makes it an ideal starting point for any trip to Provence. From there, it takes about an hour to reach Valensole, home to some of the most breathtaking lavender fields in the region. Alternatively, you could fly into Nice and take a shorter, but slightly more expensive route. Regardless of which option you choose, it's important to be well-equipped for your journey and have a plan for getting around once you arrive in Provence. Whether you hire a car or rely on public transportation, make sure that your travel plans accommodate the unique challenges of navigating this beautiful region. With these tips under your belt, you're sure to soak up every last drop of Provence's breathtaking natural beauty! If you are coming from Paris , your best option is to take the train, as it will save you both time and money. However, this route requires that you take two different trains – first a TGV to Aix-en-Provence, and then another train to Manosque-Gréoux-les-Bains, which is one of the main cities in Provence. Alternatively, you can choose to drive there, which will be a longer journey of around 7.5 hours without any stops. This option also comes with hefty toll fees along the way, so if you prefer a cheaper journey, driving may not be your best bet. Nevertheless, with its breathtaking scenery and Riviera beaches, Provence is well worth the trip!

When you're visiting Provence, having reliable transportation is essential. Unlike larger cities, there is less public transportation in this area, so getting around can be difficult without a car. Whether you're traveling between different towns and villages or exploring the beautiful countryside, the best way to get around is by taking a car. The first step is to choose your vehicle wisely. Some roads in Provence are narrow and winding, and they may not be suitable for all types of cars. If possible, opt for something that is compact yet still offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to navigating the region's many scenic routes and hidden backroads. Once you've got your wheels ready, it's time to get out on the open road! With its rolling hillsides and charming medieval towns tucked away amidst verdant forests and sprawling vineyards, Provence offers some truly spectacular scenery. And with a car in hand, you can easily explore it all.

When it comes to taking photos on the lavender fields, it's important to master certain key techniques. Firstly, you should always try to get up early or stay out late, when the light is softer and warmer. This will help you capture amazing images that are full of color and vibrancy. Another important tip is to find an interesting composition for your shots. Avoid just simply photographing rows upon rows of lavender – try using a wide-angle lens or getting closer to smaller groups of flowers in order to capture more detail and interest. Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with different shooting angles – from low to high, from side to side – this will allow you to find interesting perspectives that you might not have thought of otherwise. With these simple tips in mind, you'll be able to take absolutely stunning photos in no time!

The lavender fields of Provence are renowned for their beauty and diversity. Among the many types of lavender grown here, two stand out as the most prominent and widely grown: Fine Lavender and Lavandine . Fine Lavender, also known as lavandula angustifolia, is the classic variety that is native to this region of France. With its beautiful blooms and delicate fragrance, it has become one of the most iconic and recognizable plants associated with Provence. In contrast, Lavandine, also known as lavandula hybrida, is a more recent variety that is found all over the world. Although less vibrant than fine lavender in terms of color, it boasts larger and fuller blooms that make it a particularly popular choice for gardeners and photographers alike. Whether you are admiring them from afar or wandering through the fields to breathe in their sweet scent up close, there can be no doubt that the countless fields of Provence's famed lavender remain one of its most luminous treasures.

Conclusion:

For a truly picturesque and tranquil getaway, the Provence Lavender Fields in France are unmatched. Our comprehensive guide provides all the essential information for your journey, covering the ideal places to stay, activities to enjoy, and the optimal season for visiting these fragrant fields. Prepare for a stunning vacation; it's time to pack your bags and set off for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Provence!

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A road trip through Provence's lavender fields

By Sarah James

Away from the South of France's glittery coast, Provence has its own draws, from sprawling fields and winding scenic routes to arty cities and sleepy squares. In the summer, the region's farmlands are painted violet as lavender blooms. These are the spots to see the prettiest lavender fields, plus some important practicalities to help you along.

When is lavender season in Provence?

Provence's fields start to bloom in June – by the end of the month, most of the region's lavender will be flowering. The fields peak in early to mid-July. The higher the altitude of the field, the later the flowers will bloom.

When is lavender harvested in Provence?

Harvesting starts in mid-July. By the middle of August, the lavender fields in the Luberon, Sault and Valensole Plateau will have been harvested.

When is the best time to visit Provence for lavender?

Visiting before the British and European school holidays kick off (usually around 20 July) means the better-known areas won't be as crowded. Don't visit until early July for a guarantee of vibrant fields.

These are the areas to visit for the most-impressive lavender spotting in the region.

The Valensole Plateau

About an hour north of Aix-en-Provence , dozens of lavender fields unfurl down the hills of the Valensole Plateau. Drive along the Route de Manosque, which is lined with fields where you can pull over and explore. Lavandes Angelvin is found on this road: a working lavender farm that runs tours (9am – 7.30pm every day in June and July) and has a pretty farmhouse shop selling soaps, essential oils and more.

After a pitstop in Roussillon (just over half an hour's drive from Lavandes Angelvin), where rows of pastel houses are set against dusty ochre cliffs, drive a further hour to the town of Sault. Set high in the mountains about 40 miles east of Avignon, Sault holds the region’s most-popular lavender festival which falls on 15 August each year. From this snoozy town, which is built into the hills of the Vaucluse region (as well-known for its vineyards as its lavender – Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from this department), there are seemingly endless swatches of purple painted below.

Notre-Dame de Senanque

A 50-minute drive from Sault, Notre-Dame de Senanque is a 12th-century abbey, wrapped in rows and rows of vibrant lavender. This is a classic postcard shot, which means the fields get incredibly busy in peak season. Pitch up early: in July the shop and fields are open from 9am (11am on Sundays), so make sure to get there at opening time. Guided tours are €8: take the first tour at 10am and hit the road before the coaches start to arrive.

The region’s wildcard – the Drôme department in the north of Provence is far enough away from the well-trodden fields further south that you might get these farms almost to yourself – it's about two and a half hours from Notre-Dame de Senanque in the car. Drowsy village Valaurie, near to Bordeaux, sits in the middle of vineyards and lavender fields – there are plenty of footpaths for exploring the different patches of purple or taking a bike ride through the fragrant fields.

Keep scrolling to see more pictures of Provence lavender fields

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Mountains back rows of lavender in the Valensole Plateau

The Luberon

Your ultimate guide to the Best of Lavender Fields in Provence

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 14th March 2023

Categories France

Last Updated on 14th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Hilltop medieval villages and sun-soaked seascapes aside, one of the top things to do in Provence is to enjoy all of the beautiful lavender fields . Deep purple and heavenly in smell, enjoying the lavender is easily one of the best things to do in Provence. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best of lavender fields in Provence , as well as travel tips, the best spots to visit, and things to know before planning your trip.

Types of lavender grown in Provence

Valensole plateau, drôme provençale (drôme), pays de sault, luberon valley, when is the best time to see the lavender in provence, tips for visiting the provence lavender fields , lavender souvenirs.

Though there are several types of lavender in existence, only two types are grown in Provence, which are fine lavender and lavandin. Fine lavender is the ‘true’ lavender which grows naturally in the mediterranean scrub, whereas lavandin is a cross between ‘fine lavender’ and ‘lavender aspic’ which is a wild variation of the plant.

Fine lavender is particularly special because it only grows in the region of Provence . Lavandin can be found all over the world. Lavandin is the most photogenic of the lavender grown in Provence as it is typically brighter in colour and the blooms are fuller.

Best places to see lavender in Provence

The most famous of all of the Provence lavender route fields are those to be found around the town of Valensole. Visitors should note that while there are plenty of pretty towns in Provence ,  Valensole is definitely not at the top of the list and there is little of interest within the town itself.

With this being said, the lavender fields around the town are easily the best in the entirety of France. Lavandes Angelvin is the best-known of the lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau and it’s here where you’ll find the trees on the lavender horizon which are so often photographed at sunrise. Lavandes Angelvin is on the D6 (one of the main routes through Provence). 

Visit Lavandes Angelvin and you’ll soon find that there’s ample parking space as well as a small outdoor stand selling lavender products as well as refreshing beverages. Further along the D6 when heading away from Valensole, there are several other lavender fields which offer stunning views onto the Alp mountains beyond. Lavandin is the variety of lavender grown in Valensole.

Drôme is not situated in Provence at all but instead in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. However, due to the prevalence of lavender fields, its rich history and cultural heritage, as well as its physical proximity to Provence, the Drôme is often referred to as Drôme Provençale.

Home to lavender distilleries such as those of Nyons and Chamaloc, since the lavender fields in Drôme are further north than those in Valensole, they tend to bloom from mid to late July and are typically harvested at the beginning of August.

Less visited than other areas where Provence lavender fields can be found, Pays de Sault is home to many of the region’s most famous fine lavender fields. Situated in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, this area is home to small and charming villages such as Aurel, Ferrasières, and Sault.

The Luberon Valley is found in the Vaucluse departments and is characterised by its medieval hilltop villages topped with steepled churches and breathtaking views. Surrounding these villages, visitors will soon discover a sea of purple lavender should they opt to visit during the Provence lavender season.

The most famous of the Luberon Valley lavender fields is that of Sénanque Abbey , which is a monastery fairly close to Gordes . As the spot is one of the most iconic places to see the lavender fields in Provence, you should be sure to head to Sénanque Abbey as early in the day as possible to as to avoid too many crowds. Most of the lavender grown in the Luberon lavender fields is lavandin.

The best time to enjoy the sweet smelling flowers varies year on year, depending on a variety of factors. One of the trickiest things to know when planning a trip to Provence is exactly when the best time to visit the lavender fields will be.

Visit too early and you’ll miss the best of the beautiful purple blooms, while visiting too late will mean that the lavender will have already been harvested and you’ll have missed your window of opportunity to enjoy them at all.

It’s quite hard to book your lavender trip far in advance if you want to see the very best of the flowers in bloom as the best time to visit the lavender fields will vary entirely on the weather of the previous months, as well as the region you’re visiting.

The lavender closer to the prealps and the alps (i.e. the fields to the north of the region) will bloom several weeks later than those further south (i.e. on the Valensole Plateau) . The finest lavender (that grown in the highest altitude in the North of Provence) is always the last to bloom.

Typically, the lavender will start to bloom in the last week or so of June and will be harvested in the latter half of July (i.e. in the last two weeks of July). Though you may catch some early blooms if you head to Provence around the 20th June onwards (particularly the earlier blooming lavender fields in Provence such as those in Valensole), your safest bet is to book a trip during the first week of July.

With this being said, since I visited the fields of lavender so early, it meant that there were much fewer tourists around. And while the blooms were not as good as they might have been a few weeks later, the photos my friends and I took definitely had fewer people in them. 

If you are visiting Provence in August and wish to see the lavender in bloom, then you may still be in luck. After all, the flowers around the town of Banon, which is situated in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, typically flower later and so are harvested in the first or second week of August.

The lavender fields in the Luberon are the first to bloom, followed by those in Valensole. As such, they are the first to be harvested from mid-July onwards.

One of the top things to note is that you should be sure to be respectful when visiting any lavender fields. Over the past few years, and especially since the rise of social media sharing apps such as TikTok and Instagram, the Provence lavender fields have seen more visitors in recent years than ever before. 

Unfortunately, in this time, some visitors have been incredibly disrespectful, which has ended up with damaged plants and farmers erecting fences around their crops so as to protect them. As such, be sure not to step directly on the plants (walk over them) when visiting the fields, and do not pick them.

Lavender growing is people’s livelihoods, and if people pick too much/ destroy the fields then it makes more likely that they’ll become harder to visit for future visitors since the farmers might consider erecting fences and the like. If you want to purchase lavender, then you can do so for €3 a bunch at an organic stand on the Route du Manosque.

When it comes on how to dress, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat as the lavender fields are directly exposed to the sun and there is no shade around. As there are plenty of parking spaces directly next to the fields, I personally wore some Superga trainers.

When it comes to choosing an outfit, I highly recommend light-coloured clothing such as a white dress or a pastel shade as this really pops out against the colour of the lavender. In terms of accessories, you can’t go wrong with a classic straw hat and straw bag à la Provençale!

Of course, if you want to bring home a little souvenir from your trip to Provence, then getting something made with lavender is sure to go down a treat. As I already mentioned, be sure not to pick the lavender! The flowers are the farmer’s livelihood and if you do this, then there is a risk that the lavender fields will be closed for future visitors!

From lavender honey to lavender home products, there’s no shortage of things to choose from. Almost every Provençal town has a display has displays of wares to purchase as a souvenir to take home from your trip!

Enjoyed reading this Provence lavender guide? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Wednesday 18th of May 2022

Where is the best location to stay for the lavender fields? I will be there July 14-19. I know the festival in Valensole is on the 17th. You did say it was not your favorite town. How would you navigate the prettiest in that time range?

Sophie Nadeau

We actually stayed in a few different locations during our Provence trip, though all were a fair drive away from the lavender fields. For getting around, I would say that a car is a must. Forcalquier is one of the larger attractive towns within a half hour drive of the fields at Valensole. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of my favourite towns in all of France and is another option. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is also only a half hour drive away (it's also close to the Gorges du Verdon). If you want to visit the fields in Mid-July then this is just before the harvest of the Valensole fields. With this being said, there will still be lots of fields in bloom on higher ground such as around Banon and Oppède. :)

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Provence travel blog — The fullest guide to Provence lavender season

Summer come… my mind replays the afternoons when I was running on the windy hillside, between the endless purple lavender season and the brilliant yellow sunflower season in Provence. Living in Toulouse, the immense sunflower hills of Lauragais have become as idyllic and familiar as breathing. Suddenly, memories of Provence flashed back. That place now must be wearing a purple scarf of endless and fragrant lavender beds. Today, I want to share with you great moments I had during that trip. So, what is the best time of year to visit Provence and where to see the lavender fields in Provence France in July? Let’s check out my Provence travel blog with the fullest Provence travel guide to experience the Provence lavender season with the suggested best places to see lavender fields in Provence, best places to see lavender in Provence as well as best time to visit lavender fields in Provence on my field trip to one of the most beautiful and romantic region of France.

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Provence was gorgeous and splendid on a honey-orange summer afternoon. Provence was once a province in the southeast of France, now it occupies a large part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region, also known as PACA. The name alone says everything, Provence has the deep blue sea of ​​the Côte-d’Azur, the year-round snow-white mountains of the Alps. And somewhere between the sea and the mountains, are immense purple lavender fields to the horizon.

Without lavender, Provence also would be beautiful with its long Mediterranean coastline, warm sunshine all year round, with Briançon pine forests with golden leaves in every autumn, with Lake Serre-Ponçon reflecting the mountains, with the architectural works are solid and still standing of the Roman Empire in Arles, with the wild mountains and forests of Vercor, with Verdon gorge and turquoise waters, with Roussilon orange-yellow ocher mines, with a flooded Camargue biosphere reserve filled with flamingos, with the charming villages of Gordes, Montbrun-les-Bains, Banon, Moustier-Saint-Marie… true French than ever. Yes, Provence is not only lavender, but from the end of June to the beginning of August every year, lavender flowers still bloom on the sunny and windy slopes, adding a purple color to the already brilliant picture, full of scent, full of color.

The car was busy driving on a small winding road through almond groves and fragrant lavender fields. From village to village, from Sault to Valensole, Provence summer noon was hot and cicadas chirped vibrantly. Somewhere around Sault, a gentle breeze caressed the lavender fields dotted with wild flowers, blowing through the open window, tossing my long hair. Opened my eyes to look through the window, so sunny, so cloudy! Memories of school days returned briefly, the sweltering heat of summer days, the sound of cicadas chirping throughout the sunny school yard and a purple color of Lagerstroemia indica flowers filled the small road. Going forever, going forever, seems to never get tired… through rolling hills, through orange houses with pastel blue windows, fields of sunflowers as yellow as the sun and fields of harvested wheat that are only scattered some round piles of straw. Then we went to Valensole.

Unlike in Sault, the lavender fields in Valensole were vast in a purple ocean. Each flower bed is neat, evenly, parallel to each other, seeming to gather only at the foot of the fanciful green mountains in the distance. If the lavender in Sault is as rustic as a village girl growing up in the fields of flowers and weeds, the lavender of Valensole is cared for to bring the appearance of a noble and lovely lady. Both were beautiful, the same fragrance, the same charm to the heart.

The late afternoons in Valensole were wonderful, when the wind on the plateau gradually dispelled the blazing heat that lingers on the faded ground. Spreading a checkered towel between two lavender beds far from the main road, lied down and watched the clouds drift by, slided my fingers into the fresh, soft flower branches, inhaled the sweet fragrance of flowers to fill your chest. And time has really stopped, I could stay there forever, doing nothing, and never get bored. The bees are not constantly buzzing, the sun was red like a fire, burning the blue mountains on the horizon.

Sunset must be the most magical moment in the wavy lavender fields. Beneath the orange-pink clouds, the already purple flowers were more purple, more brilliant than ever. My mind followed the rhythm of the pink sun to bewilderment, squinting until the sun disappeared. A few minutes later, the last forgotten rays of sunlight dyed the clouds red for a moment before dying out. The splendor gave way to nightfall in Valensole. Fingers were still fragrant with lavender, and tomorrow will be a new day again…

Provence lavender season: Where to see the lavender fields in Provence, best places to see lavender fields in Provence

Lavender road.

The “lavender road” in Provence stretches over a very large area, hundreds of square kilometers. In which the 3 most famous areas and also the destinations of the most flower viewing tours are located in Valensole, Sault and Gordes. The map of «Lavender Road» and other must-know information can be found at www.routes-lavande.com (part of website in English).

The lavender fields in Valensole are the widest, well tended, the flower beds straight and free of weeds. The whole vast plateau is covered with purple lavender flowers. There are also rolling mountains on the horizon.

• In my personal opinion, the most beautiful (but also the most crowded) lavender field to take picture in Valensole is located right next to the shop specializing in lavender extracts, Lavande Angelvin (Address: Campagne neuve, 04210 Valensole, France) on the edge of the village of Valensole (on the main road D6, towards Manosque, GPS coordinates 43.823942, 5.938959 ).
• In addition, if you have more time to ride around to explore the Valensole plateau (“plateau de Valensole”), lavender is grown along the D8 road running towards the mountain. There are far fewer tourists here than near the village and there are still beautiful photo spots on the small roads weaving between the fields. On the Valensole plateau, it feels like all the flower fields are your own.

Sault Lavender Full Day Tour from Marseille

In Sault, the lavender fields are smaller than in Valensole. Yet these fields yield 40% of the flower production of the whole of France. Sault’s flower fields, which bloom from late July to mid-August every year, are nestled among the trees, surrounded by rolling hills.

• From Carpentras, a small city near Avignon, to Sault you will pass through the Monieux pass on the D1 road. At the top of the pass, there is a stop for you to see the immense lavender fields and the Albion valley.
• North of Sault, between Sault and Montbrun-les-Bains with the most beautiful flower fields in the region.
• You can visit the flower fields at the foot of Sault village to take pictures of the romantic purple flower beds, with the background of the old village. GPS coordinates 44.091275, 5.404013 ).

In Gordes, there is a flower garden in front of the famous Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey, appearing on many postcards of Provence. However, you will not be allowed to go to inside the garden to take pictures. Specific opening hours to visit the inside of the monastery and ticket prices can be found at www.abbeyedesenanque.com .

Provence blog: When is best time to visit lavender fields in Provence?

What is the best time of year to visit Provence? Lavender flowers blooms beautifully from mid-June to mid-August every year. Depending on the weather (rain, sun and temperature), flowers can be bloomed 1, 2 weeks early or late. If you plan to visit an area, you should go at least 1 week before the Lavender Festival of that village. Lavender is harvested with a cutting machine, so it is very fast.

• Gordes, Apt: mid-June to first week of July.
• Areas of Valensole, Digne-les-Bains , flowers bloom beautifully in the last 10 days of June to mid-July.
• Sault, Banon, Montbrun-les-Bains, Saint-Aubain-sur-Ouvèze, Lourmarin : mid-July to early August.
• If you plan to go to both Valensole and Sault and Gordes, you should go to Valensole, take pictures of flowers first and then go to Gordes to visit one of the most beautiful villages in France. Finally, heading to Sault to admire the beautiful scenery but a bit shy, need to spend time searching for this area.

Provence lavender season: Lavender festivals

Seasonal festivals held in traditional lavender-growing villages in Provence (2021 calendar, slightly varying from year to year). Here you can buy flowers, scented pillows, and other products made from lavender such as soaps, lotions, honey, sausages, etc.

• Ferrassières: 1/7 July 1
• Valensole: 15/7 July 15
• Reillanne: ??/7 July ??
• Barrême: 22/7 July 22
• Sainte Agnes: July 29
• Digne-les-Bains: 5 days, from August 3 to 7 (Conso de la Lavande)
• Valréas: 4 days, from August 3 to 6 (Conso de la Lavande)
• Saint André de Rosans: August 11, 12
• Sault: August 15

Provence travel blog: How to get to the best places to see lavender in Provence?

By public transport

Going by public transport to the Gordes and Sault regions is quite difficult, so I only guide you to Valensole where there are the most beautiful and vast flower fields.

Regional airports: Marseille, Avignon, Toulon and Nice.

To get to Valensole, first, take a train or bus from big cities to Manosque, a small city about 20 km from Valensole.

Taking a train to Manosque station – Gréoux-les-Bains. Train ticket website: https://www.voyages-sncf.com/ . Example about the distance and fare:

• Aix-en-Provence: 40 minutes, about €15 to 20/1-way.
• Marseille: 1 hour 20 minutes, about €19 to 22/1-way.
• Avignon: 2 and a half to 3 and a half hours, €30 to 40/1-way (transfer in Aix or Marseille).
• Nice: 4 to 5 hours, €40 to 50/1-way (transfer in Aix or Marseille).

Bus to Manosque stops at 2 stops: train station and routière station (address: Bd Charles de Gaulle). Taking the bus is much cheaper, the fare is only around €5, but it takes a little longer. Tickets can be purchased at the station or on the website https://www.info-ler.fr/ (website is in French only). There are 5 bus routes that pass through Manosque: 22, 25, 26, 28 and 29. Bus times can be found here: https://www.info-ler.fr/53-3C-Horaires-de-bus-et-cars-de-la-Region-PACA-3E-LER.html.

Then from Manosque to Valensole

• By electric bike:  You can rent an electric bike (€17/half day, €26/1-day). Example: Bachelas Store (MBK), 24 Boulevard de la Plaine , is open every Tuesday to Saturday. Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 72 15 84. From Manosque to Valensole along the D6 road about 20 km long (1 way). This is a road for cars, the speed limit is 90km/h, so if you choose to ride a bicycle, pay attention to ride in a row and stay close to the right side of the road so as not to obstruct traffic and endanger yourself as well as others. The Valensole Plateau is located across the village of Valensole from the Manosque. Get out of the village, take the D8 road towards Puimoisson. All over the plateau is full of lavender, going until get bored, then come back.
• By taxi (range €70 to €80/trip, can go 4, 5 people). Just google « Taxi Manosque » will have a lot of results for you to choose from. Taxi will take you to the field, play until getting bored, then just call, they will pick you up to the depart location.

Self-driving

You can rent a car in any major city, like Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon. If you come to Valensole, you should go from Aix-en-Provence (70km, 1 hour journey). If you go to Sault, depart from Avignon will be closer (70km, 1 hour and 15 minutes).

I often rent a car on the website https://rentalcars.com . The rental price is about €65/1-day for a small 4-seater car (excluding insurance if you want to buy more and gasoline fee).

Currently, there are tours to see lavender from major cities in the region such as Avigon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille. The advantage of the tour is that it’s affordable, easy, convenient, and doesn’t have to be searched. The downside is that you can’t see lavender at the best time of light at dawn and dusk.

There are 2 types of tours:

Tours organized by the Office of Tourism (Office de Tourisme)

There are many tours for you to choose from, almost every day there is a tour to visit the fields and beautiful villages around, prices range from €55 to €65 for short tour (half day tour), €100 to €120 (full day tour). Book tours and inquire at the City Tourism Office, by phone or on the Internet. Eg:

• From Aix-en-Provence
• From Avignon

Private tour

• Professional tours of French friends (search on google with the keyword “lavande tour + city name” will have a lot of results.
• Tours organized by students and French-Vietnamese, including tours to visit villages, see lavender on request, may include a night’s room, time and price by agreement. You can search and join groups on Facebook for more details.

Tips for taking photos of lavender on sunny days

• The best time to take photos of the day is from before dawn to about 9, 10am and from 6pm, 7pm after sunset.
• Taking pictures of lavender in the early morning will be more purple than taking pictures in the late afternoon (around 6pm, 7pm).
• If shooting in the evening, it is recommended to shoot at an oblique sun, with the sun on the left or right hand side, or backlit (the sun is in front of you). If photographed in the front light (the sun is behind you), the yellow-orange light of the sun will make the flowers appear slightly pale.
• The lavender fields are most beautiful at sunset. On slightly cloudy days, after sunset about 5 minutes, the clouds will turn bright red which is also quite beautiful.
• For dwarf photographers, to see the wide flower field, with long beds reaching to the horizon, you should stand in a high position to shoot down. If possible, bring a folding ladder, compact type, about 1 or 2 steps high. The field next to the Lavande Angelvin store that I mentioned above is already sloping, no need to bring a ladder to still get a good photo.

Distinguish 2 types of lavender: lavande vraie and lavandin: Same called lavender, but the flowers have many different varieties, the most common of which are lavande vraie (also known as lavande fine) and lavandin. Real lavender is called lavande vraie. Lavande vraie flowers are grown in the highlands from 600m to 1500m above sea level, each stem has only 1 straight branch, the flower bush does not spread around as much as the lavandin flower. Each stem has 3 branches, a main branch in the middle and 2 side branches on either side. Most of the fields are now planted with lavandin because of the higher yield.

Provence travel guide: Where can you go around in the Provence region?

Around valensole.

• Lake Saint-Croix is ​​about 40 km east of Valensole, passing through the Valensole plateau, very convenient for you to go to see flowers and then visit the lake in the same day. The lake water has a very special turquoise color of Verdon gorge flows into. Here you can enjoy renting rowing boats, water bicycles, swimming in the lake, or simply enjoying the view from above.
• Gorge du Verdon: one of the most beautiful gorges in France, created from the Verdon River. The Gorge du Verdon extends from Lake Saint-Croix all the way to Castellane. If you have a car, you can drive from Lake Saint-Croix (Gatelas Bridge) on the D952 road, to the Artuby Bridge and then back along the D71 for a view of the gorge. Going all the way on this road also takes a whole day, don’t schedule too much or you won’t be able to make it in time. This is also a paradise for those who love to go hiking, kayaking and adventure sports.
• The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a beautiful little village near Lake Saint-Croix, with a tradition of pottery making. The village is located on the poetic mountainside and is always named in the list of the most beautiful ancient villages in France. The village farmers market meets every Saturday morning.

Around Avignon

• The Avignon region is the area with the largest concentration of Roman ancient cities in France, such as Nimes, Arles, Orange. These cities are located very close to each other, with monumental structures, listed by UNESCO. For example, the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, the Roman buildings in Arles, the bridge on the Gard River (Pont du Gard), the Roman theater in Orange. If you like ancient architecture then this is an ideal combination with the lavender tour near Gordes and Sault.
• Provence is also famous for its many picturesque ancient villages. There is nothing more wonderful than after going to see the lavender fields, going to the village to stroll through the cobblestone roads under the shadow of the mossy ancient walls with a cool ice cream in hand. Beautiful villages near Avignon just a few dozen kilometers away are Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, Barroux, Venasque, Les-baux-de-Provence.

Around Marseille

A my friend from Marseille once said: “Marseille is very ugly, but everything around it is beautiful”. Among them, I like coves (calanques) the most on the rocky coast from Marseille to Cassis. There are many ways to discover the calanques:

• by cruise ship, tickets are purchased at the old port (vieux port) in the center of Marseille. See tour information here .
• by road to see the coves from above. Having gone to the calanque many times, I prefer to go by road, although it is a bit more time consuming and strenuous. The most beautiful and easily accessible calanques near Marseille are Sugiton (located right behind the Luminy campus university dormitory), Sormiou, Morgiou. Particularly, Sormiou and Morgiou can go by car to the place if you go early before 7, 8 am. Each calanque has a different opening time for vehicles. See hours here . If you arrive outside of these hours, you can still get down to the calanque but will have to walk.

In the Marseille port area there are many interesting small islands on the Frioul archipelago, the most famous of which is Chateaux d’If, which inspired Alexandre Dumas to write the novel The Count of Monte-Cristo. Those who love literature can visit the island by boat. Train tickets are purchased on the old port (vieux port) Marseille or here .

Cassis is a small port city east of Marseille, very pretty with cute corners imbued with the coastal city of Provence. Beautiful beaches, hilltop fortresses, harbors teeming with fishing boats and yachts. Coming to Cassis, people often go sightseeing along the Route des Crêtes, visit Cap Canaille, trekking to the sea of ​​Port Pain, D’en-Vau …

Aix-en-Provence (often called Aix for short) is a small city just half an hour from Marseille by bus or train. People often call Aix the most Provencal place in Provence. Little Aix with lovely and photogenic fountains, dotted somewhere in the old town. If you want to know what it’s like to live in a Provence city, stop by Aix.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Provence you can refer to

• Morning Lavender Tour from Aix-en-Provence
• Provence & Lavander Day Tour
• Vineyards and Lavender Half Day Tour in Provence
• Aix-en-Provence and Valensole Lavender Full Day Tour from Marseille
• Provence Guided Day Trip from Paris
• Roman Theatre of Orange and Orange Museum Ticket in Provence
• Château d’If Ticket in Marseille
• Villa Kérylos Ticket in Beaulieu-sur-Mer near Nice
• Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, and Marseille Day Tour from Marseille

Read more France guide here .

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Visit the Valensole Lavender Fields in Provence

The Valensole lavender fields , also known as the Valensole Plateau, are one of the best places to see lavender in The Provence, France .

The incredible Valensole lavender fields are getting more famous over the years. Especially during the lavender season in The Provence, through late June and early July, people from all over the world travel to Valensole to admire the rolling lavender fields in full bloom.

Before I went to visit the lavender fields in Provence, I was a little skeptical about all these iconic lavender photos throughout the world wide web. Moreover, because I got the feeling it would be very crowded. Luckily I visited Valensole during COVID-19 which gave me the possibility to enjoy these magical lavender fields without the crowds. This place should be added to every traveler’s and photographer’s bucket list.

To make the best out of your visit to Valensole, I will share useful information and tips about the region, t he best time to visit during Blooming Season of the Provence Lavender Fields , how to get around, and where you can find the best lavender fields in Valensole . Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or to share your thoughts about this article. I would highly appreciate it.

Lavendel Tours Valensole

If you know where to go, you can easily explore the Lavender fields on your own, but it's also possible to book a Lavender Tour. Are you staying in Marseille or Aix-en-Provence? From these cities, there are full day trip to see the Lavender fields in Valensole .

The Plateau de Valensole, France

The Valenseole Plateau (or Plateau de Valensole) is a natural region of France, situated at an altitude of 500 meters in the south of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. This area of approximately 800 km² extends from Manosque, Dignes-les-Bains, Esparron-du-Verdon and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, near the famous Gorges du Verdon . It is particularly famous for the fields of lavender, but this area also offers beautiful Provençal landscapes and a lot of cultural and recreation activities.

The production of Lavender has been very important for the region, for over a century. The lavender in France spreads over the vast fields and over the years, the area has adapted to grow lavender for commercial purposes. The warm and dry climate of the Provence, with an average of 300 days of sun in a year, is ideal for lavender production. There is a lavender museum in The Provence - Musee de la Lavande - plus several lavender distilleries offering tours where you will learn more about the production and harvesting of the lavender. They also organize events and sell high-quality products like lavender honey and lavender essential oils.

The ultimate highlight during the lavender season is watching and photographing the lavender in full bloom as it results in incredibly beautiful purple landscapes.  It's also when the  Lavender Festival  takes place. The lavender fields in full bloom attract lots of tourists in the peak season of June and July but definitely something you should see once in your life.

The town of Valensole itself is a quiet and charming traditional Provencal town. Located on a hill to the East of Manosque. It has a square in the center of the town, the place Thiers, with an old fountain. From there you can walk the main street with cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops, and you can reach the  Church of Saint-Denis at the top of the town, originally built in the 11th century.

Where can I find lavender in Valensole?

The plateau de Valensole in France is one of the three best places to find lavender in Provence. The most popular and beautiful fields of Valensole   can be found along the D6 (Route de Riez), the D8 near Brunet, the D56 (Route de Puimoisson), and the D953 (Route de Riez).

The most visited lavender fields in Provence are the ones near Lavandes Angelvin , the lavender distillery. My absolute favorite lavender fields in Valensole were the ones along the D8 from Valensole towards Puimoisson, especially one spot with an iconic cabana (stone hut) hiding in the fields. You will find beautiful rows of lavender in contrast with a stunning mountain landscape. I also loved the fields near Puimoisson with a small stone hut, located along the Route of the Moustiers (D56).

Keep in mind that the lavender fields are in constant motion. Every year the fields can be different. Some may be overgrown, others can be replaced with other crops like thyme and rosemary. This article is based on my visit to the Valensole lavender fields in 2021.

What is the best time to visit the lavender fields in Valensole?

The best time to visit the lavender fields in Valensole is during the last week of June and the first week of July. The lavender blossom takes place from mid-June to mid-July and usually, the lavender fields will be harvested during the second week of July.

At the same time, this period is the most popular time to visit Valensole. This means you will visit the lavender fields along with a bunch of other visitors. Nevertheless, if you would love to admire and capture the lavender in full bloom, make sure to plan your visit during the lavender blossom , just before the harvest. If you travel too early, the lavender fields are still green and small.

How to get to Valensole and how to get around?

In my opinion, there is only one best way to get to Valensole and that’s by car. Valensole is surrounded by countryside and for that reason, public transportation is limited in this area.

In less than one hour, you will cover the 70 km distance from Aix-en-Provence to Valensole. It’s also easy to reach from Avignon or Marseille, but the drive from there will take some longer.

If it’s not possible to go by car, I would suggest booking a Lavender Tour or Day Trip to Valensole from Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. Take note that the tours take place during the busiest times of the day, and you will not be as flexible as going by car.

Where to stay in Valensole?

Finding a place to stay in Valensole can be hard during the popular lavender season. Most accommodations are located outside the town of Valensole. There are several boutique accommodations like gîtes or authentic guest houses. In bigger towns like Manosque, you will find several hotels and it's still a good place to stay to see the lavender fields in Valensole.

Make sure to book your accommodation as far in advance as possible. We stayed in a lovely guesthouse on Chemin Val Notre Dame with a very friendly host - Alda - living at the upper level. The guesthouse was just outside the town of Valensole, booked through Airbnb . But you can also find affordable and good places to stay in Valensole on Booking.com .

Visit the Valensole Lavender Fields

The beauty of the Valensole lavender fields impressed me a lot. In the end, I wish I had more time to explore all the lavender fields in Valensole, but also in other places in The Provence in France.

Do you prefer a guided Lavender tour in Valensole? Check out the various Lavendel tours on GetYourGuide .

I hope this article helps you prepare for your trip to Valensole. Feel free to reach out in case you have any questions and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

If this blog was useful for you, I would love to hear your thoughts in a comment below. Also, let me know if you would like me to write a blog about the best photo spots to photograph the lavender fields, including GPS coordinates.

Essential Guide to the Lavender Fields in Provence

24 May Essential Guide to the Lavender Fields in Provence

The region of Provence is the best place in France to see the lavender fields ! I wrote this Essential Guide to the Lavender Fields in Provence to share with you all the essential tips you need to make the best out of your trip. I will tell you where to find the best lavender fields in Provence. I will give you my photographer tips for  how to take beautiful photos in the lavender fields. And also I will help you to prepare your trip: giving you recommendations for where to stay in Provence, where to eat in Provence, what to do in the region , and more!

You will enjoy your stay in Provence with all your senses ! Wandering in the middle of lavender fields is really an amazing experience! Let me take you there virtually: close your eyes and picture gorgeous purple colors as far as your eyes can see, a bewitching smell of lavender , the sounds of the busy bees and the chirping birds … Here you are in Provence in France!

Table of Contents

All the reasons why you should visit Provence

If you have read the introduction of this essential guide to the lavender fields in Provence , you already have a very good reason to visit this place: for the endless lavender fields of course! But let tell you all the reasons why you should visit Provence! Located in the South of France , Provence is part of the wider region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA). This area between the Rhone Valley and the Mediterranean coast is gifted with a very pleasant climate and beautiful landscapes.

Moreover, the coastline of the French Riviera is magnificent with the Calanques , one of France’s natural wonders!

But Provence is also a place full of amazing architecture, Roman ruins, art and museums . Many painters , writers , sculptors and musicians , have been inspired by this region: Cézanne, Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso for example.

And last but not least, I cannot talk about Provence without talking about the gastronomy ! The local markets are providing the best products. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and the local specialties are delicious!

The best time to visit Provence for the lavender season

One of the first essential answer I will cover in this guide to the lavender fields in Provence: when is the best time to travel to Provence for the lavender season. In Provence the lavender fields are blooming from mid-June to mid-July . The full bloom with the intense purple tones is taking place in general at the end of June and the beginning of July , around the summer solstice. Therefore, the beginning of the summer is the best time to visit Provence.

But you have to take into account that the blooming of the lavender depends on the climatic conditions during the months preceding the flowering and the location. As a consequence, some years the lavender can bloom later or sooner. Mother Nature can be very unpredictable , so don’t be too upset if you do not get the full bloom at the moment of your trip. You will see that you can make the best out of it with everything that Provence has to offer! For example, when I visited in 2019, the lavender was in full bloom around the 5 th -10 th of July, a bit later than usual due to a very cold weather in May and June.

After the blooming, the fields are harvested, usually between mid-July and August .

My secret tips : I would like to point out some other things that you may want to take into account to organize your trip. Firstly, the French school holidays starts usually at the beginning of July. Therefore, from that time, there will be more French tourists wandering in the area. Secondly if you can visit during the week, it will be less busy than during the weekend. Indeed, the French people can also travel there just for the weekend.

Where to find the best lavender fields in Provence

I guess what you are wondering next: where are the best lavender fields in Provence? The lavender fields on the Valensole plateau are some of the most photogenic ones in the world! Once you drive to the village of Valensole you will see why the surrounding fields are so popular! The most famous lavender field in Provence, with an olive tree in the shape of a heart in the background is right close by a shop selling lavender named Lavandes Angelvin. My secret tip : here are the coordinates for this best lavender field in Provence 43.8220540, 5.9371070 (or 43°49’19.4″N 5°56’13.6″E).

In this area, named Haute-Provence and Verdon, you can find also find lavender fields around Riez , Puimoisson , Gréoux les Bains . Basically drive in between those cities and you will spot many beautiful lavender fields! My secret tip : you will find one of the best lavender fields in Provence, the iconic lavender field with a little house in the background on the D8 here 43.894316, 6.120713 (or 43°53’39.5″N 6°07’14.6″E).

You can also find some of the most beautiful lavender fields in the following parts of Provence

• Firstly in the Vercors and the Diois areas: between Crest, Baronnies, Die and Rosans.
• Secondly in the Drôme Provençale and Haut-Vaucluse areas: between Montélimar and Nyons, including Dieulefit, Grignan et Valréas.
• Thirdly in the Ventoux and the Luberon areas: around Sault, and close to the Sénanques Abbey near the village of Gordes, or around Apt.
• Fourthly in the Luberon and Lure areas: around Forcalquier, Simiane-la-Rotonde and Banon.
• Lastly in the Buëch area.

How to take beautiful pictures in the lavender fields

In this paragraph I am going to cover a few essentials about taking beautiful photos in the lavender fields in Provence . Because, let’s be honest, you cannot visit Provence without leaving with gazillions of pictures of those epic lavender fields, with or without you in the frame 😉 ! I will answer the following questions: What is the best moment of the day to take your photos in the lavender fields, How to walk around in the lavender fields to take your pictures (without damaging them), and – last but not least – What about the bees in the fields?!

The best moment of the day to take pictures in the lavender fields

The best moments of the day to take pictures in the lavender fields are sunrise and sunset . On the one hand, as I mentioned earlier, the climate in Provence is very warm in summer. Therefore, it’s better to take your photos at a time when the sun is not too hot . On the other hand, the light is also more beautiful at sunrise and sunset: the famous golden hour cherished by all the photographers! Oh, and I forgot to mention that the bees are less active when the sun is not there, because they need the sun to orient themselves.

My secret tip : because not everyone is able to wake up for sunrise, if you want to take photos with less people it’s better to go at sunrise!

How to walk around in the lavender fields to take your pictures

The fields are organized in rows of lavender plants. There are alleys to walk in the middle , so it’s easy to move around. Please do NOT walk on the lavender because you would damage it. It’s better to choose an alley with a wide passage in between two rows of lavender plants. The lavender fields owners are losing a lot of their productions with tourists damaging their fields, so we have to respect them! And also, do NOT pluck lavender directly in the field. My secret tip : if you want to use a cute bouquet of lavender as a prop in your photos, you can easily find some for sale in many lavender dedicated shops in the towns around the fields. It costs around 3 euros.

If there are a few people taking pictures in the fields at the same time as you, find some rows with no one inside and stick to your spot. The more you are polite with the other people taking pictures around you, the more chances you have that they will be polite and accommodating with you too!

About the bees in the lavender fields

I really do not like bugs in general! As I knew that a lot of bees would be foraging in the lavender fields, I was really worried before walking there for the first time. But after experiencing it a few times, I was not afraid anymore. Why? Because the bees are busy gathering pollen, they are not really paying attention to you . Unless of course you start to annoy them (just don’t)! Most of the time, as you are walking in the alleys, you are not in their way. There are some spiders too and you may have to walk through their web in the middle of the alleys, but I didn’t see that many.

To be honest, I felt less secure in the sunflower fields: as the flowers are higher, the bees were flying closer to me and it was scarier…

The other flower fields in Provence

You may wonder if there any other flower fields in Provence? The answer is yes: lavender is not the only flower you will find in Provence! Sunflowers, sage, and poppies are also growing in the area, and providing amazing backgrounds for your photos!

You can find pretty red poppy fields from end of April to mid-June. As I visited Provence at the end of June in 2019, I unfortunately arrived too late.

The sage is blooming in June. I had never seen a field of sage in bloom before coming to Provence and I was in awe! The sage plants measure from 40 cm to 1 meter, and have beautiful pink and purple hues! Apparently, Provence is the only region of France where you can see sage fields. It makes it even more special! My secret tip : there is a sage field located on the road between Valensole and Puimoisson.

The sunflowers start to bloom beginning of July and are in full bloom around mid-July. When I was in Provence at the end of June in 2019, I saw them blooming the very last day before leaving. My secret tip : there is a sunflower field located right close by the famous lavender field with the heart-shaped tree listed above.

Local farmers also grow wheat in Provence. Therefore, it’s possible to take some photos in a wheat field with a bunch of haystacks . Provence is definitely full of beautiful landscapes to capture!

How to get to Provence

You have some options to arrive in Provence, and of course I am giving them to you in this essential guide to the lavender fields in Provence!

The first option is to take the train . The closest train station is the one from Manosque – Gréoux-les-Bains. It’s a small train station therefore you will need to connect with another bigger city of the area like Marseille, Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. For example, from Paris you can do Paris to Marseille and then Marseille to Manosque – Gréoux-les-Bains.

The second option is to drive there by yourself and rent a car from the place of your arrival in France. Be aware that if you are arriving in Paris, this is a very long ride. The journey from Paris to Manosque is around 800 km and it takes 7h to drive there, without counting the necessary breaks. I wouldn’t recommend it, except if you want to do a road trip and visit some places on the way.

The last option is to fly to Marseille and then drive from Marseille to the area of the lavender fields.

How to go from one place to another in Provence

The best way to go from one place to another in Provence is definitely to rent a car . Indeed, all the fields are located close to small cities and villages that are not easily connected by public transport, or are in the middle of nowhere. Moreover, if you want to discover the beautiful region of Provence, the car will be your best friend!

You can rent a car in Manosque for example or in Marseille or Aix-en-Provence depending on where you are arriving with the train (or the flight).

Where to stay in Provence

Another essential info you will learn from this guide to the lavender fields in Provence: where to stay? You have a few options for places to stay in Provence to visit the lavender fields. Everything depends on how close you want to be from the lavender fields and what else you want to visit in the region.

Valensole is the closest city to the lavender fields but it’s rather small. It’s perfect if you want to stay in quiet place but you might lack of options for dining. Indeed, there are only very few restaurants in Valensole.

Riez , a little town located in Verdon Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon) on Valensole plateau, can also be a nice place to stay. It’s around 20 min far from Valensole but there are lavender fields in between the 2 cities. It’s very charming!

Manosque is the bigger city in the area. It’s a bit further of the lavender fields, around 20 min far from Valensole. But it has the benefits of offering many places to stay for all budget, many cafes and restaurants and many shops and supermarkets.

When I visited Provence in 2019, I stayed in an AirBnb in Manosque and it was perfect!

As Provence is a very touristy region, you will have a lot of other possibilities in case you want to stay somewhere else. You can rent a villa for example and enjoy a pool, which can be quite pleasant in summer!

Where to eat in Provence

As a real foodie, I had to cover this question in the essential guide to the lavender field in Provence: where to eat? I am giving you some tips for places to eat in Valensole , as you will probably pass by, and in Manosque in case you will stay there. I also added an extra spot that might not be on your way but worth the detour (see below)!

Where to eat in Valensole

Here are some places to eat in Valensole:

• Le Palais d’Or : a small bakery to buy bread, pastries and also yummy lavender ice creams. Location: 4 Place Thiers 04210 Valensole.
• Brasserie du Plateau : a restaurant serving local food. They have a big terrace that is very popular in summer amongst the local and the tourists. Location: 2 Boulevard Frédéric Mistral, 04210 Valensole.
• Le Glacier de Valensole : an ice cream place with tasty and yummy ice creams. Location: 9 D6, 04210 Valensole.
• La Maison de Marius : a deli selling local products. You cannot eat there but you can buy some products (cheese for example) to take away. Location: 1 Avenue Segond 04210 Valensole.
• Le Jardin de Celina : a fine dining restaurant with a bed & breakfast. I didn’t have the opportunity to eat here unfortunately. Location: Ancien Chemin Ancien Chemin d’Allemagne, 04210 Valensole.
• Régal : an Italian restaurant. I ate there in 2019 but it seems that it’s closed now. Maybe another restaurant opened at the same place. Location: 3 Boulevard Frédéric Mistral, 04210 Valensole.

Where to eat in Manosque

Here are some places to eat in Manosque :

• Il Gusto restaurant : a great Italian restaurant. I ate there twice (pictured here). Location: 8 Place de l’Hôtel de ville 04100 Manosque.
• Le Café du Coin : a good value for money restaurant. I didn’t eat there but apparently the service is good. Location: 20 Rue du Soubeyran 04100 Manosque.
• Poon : a good place to get an ice cream. I loved it and they have many different flavors. Location: 59 Rue Grande 04100 Manosque.
• Le Bouchon Catalan : a fine dining French restaurant. I didn’t have the opportunity to eat here unfortunately. Location: 21 Place du Terreau 04100 Manosque.
• Le Petit Lauragais : a charming restaurant serving French refined cuisine for an affordable price. I didn’t have the opportunity to eat here unfortunately. Location: 6 Place du Terreau 04100 Manosque
• Kinda Sushi Bar : a good sushi restaurant. Location: 30 Avenue Jean Giono 04100 Manosque
• Boulangerie Patisserie Rouger : a good bakery. The perfect place to buy bread, pastries or desserts. Location: 27 Avenue Jean Giono 04100 Manosque.

Where to eat the best ice creams in Provence

This is my secret spot that worth to visit even if you have to make a detour! My secret tip: treat yourself in Scaramouche in Céreste ! Scaramouche is an ice cream parlor serving delicious ice creams with a lot of original and local flavors . It worth the drive just to taste the ice-creams! Location: Cours Aristide Briand 04280 Céreste .

What to visit in Provence except the lavender fields

Aside on wandering in the best lavender fields, there are many beautiful places to see in Provence ! I have written a complete article about the Best Things to do in Provence , where you will find all the information you need to prepare a fantastic trip! I gave you there a great list of the best places to see in Provenc e.

Nevertheless here are a few suggestions (read the other article for more details):

• Explore the beautiful villages in the area: Valensole, Riez, Moustier Sainte Marie, Gordes, Roussillon and Fontaine de Vaucluse to name only a few. I am giving more info about a few of them below.
• Visit Notre-Dame de Sénanque : a Cistercian abbey near the village of Gordes. It’s located in a pretty valley and surrounded by lavender fields.
• For those who like the outdoor, go to the Gorges du Verdon and the Lac de Sainte Croix : one of Europe’s most beautiful river canyon. You can rent kayaks to travel on the river and the lake, or hike.

The best souvenirs to buy in Provence

The last essential I want to share with you in this guide to the lavender fields in Provence is the souvenirs you can buy here. Lavender being the hero of the region of Provence and the reason of your trip, I highly recommend that you bring back home some lavender products ! You can buy a bouquet of lavender and let it dry at home. Lavender soap and toiletries are also good ideas. The l avender essential oil has a lot of virtues in aromatherapy: it’s relaxing and can treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. It also has a lot of other properties like anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative effects. Lastly, it has the ability to lessen acne, help lighten skin, and reduce wrinkles. It can even be used to treat other things, like improving hair health and digestion. There are many beauty products made with lavender . Those would also be great souvenirs to buy.

I mentioned the local gastronomy in a previous paragraph: for sure nougat and calissons would be perfect to offer or to treat yourself! They have a rather long expiry date which makes them easy to transport.

You will love to remember your trip to the best lavender fields in Provence with a some lavender scented souvenirs!

In Conclusion…

As you may have realized after reading this guide to the best lavender fields in Provence , this is an amazing region that worth the visit! The lavender fields will blow you away! But Provence is more than just the lavender fields , and there is a ton of other natural and cultural attractions to see in the area. Get here the list of the Best Things to do in Provence!

If you travel to Provence, you can also spend a bit more time in the southeast of France and visit the French Riviera! I have a few articles for you:

• 10 days in the French Riviera: your road trip itinerary
• The best things to do in Nice , capital of the French Riviera
• The best photo spots in Menton
• Ultimate guide to the calanques in Marseille and Cassis

I hope I gave you all the essentials you need in this article. But if you need more info, do not hesitate to ask me in the comment sections below or by email, I will do my best to help you!

I also found this official website full of info:  Les Routes de la Lavande .

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Hello! I am Ophélie, an avid traveller, photographer and foodista. I am French and I live in Paris.

This blog, will give you all my secrets: my best addresses (sightseeing and food) all around the world and in Paris, and my travel and lifestyle tips!

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76 Comments

Portia Jones

As usual, your photos are incredible. I would love to get back to France as soon as restrictions are lifted, i am missing travel so much right now. I’m totally adding Provence to my travel list now.

Limitlesssecrets

Thank you Portia, it means a lot! I hope you will be able to come in France as soon as possible and enjoy the beautiful region of Provence!

Beautiful! I have been coming back to Provence two years in a row during summer, but I could never catch the lavender fields in full blooms. I think this year will not work out either, but I am not giving up!! Super gorgeous pictures and complete guide!

Curls en Route

Beautiful pictures!! I’d love to go there someday, it seems like an off the beaten path trip!

There are many places in Provence that worth the visit indeed: cute villages and beautiful nature everywhere! I hope you can see them by yourself!

It’s always a matter of timing indeed. If you can plan your trip at the beginning of the summer it will help! Thank you for the compliments!

I’d absolutely love to visit the lavender fields in Provence. They look absolutely incredible. I’ve visited a few of the lavender fields here in the UK, which are amazing, but Provence is really the creme de la creme of lavender fields. This guide is AWESOME! Thank you so much. I’ve already got it saved for when I can go! Fingers crossed it’ll be this year.

I am hoping you can make it to Provence this year Sophie! You will love those endless lavender fields for sure! Thank very much 🙂

madhu sharma

Wow I have been dreaming of being in those lavendar fields..thanks for sharing lovely guide n beautiful pics.

Thank you Madhu! Hopefully you can realize this dream and enjoy it to the fullest!

Suvarna Arora

I thought to visit here this year in June but hopefully next year. I love lavender fields and I have only been once in Tasmania. This is a great guide that I will keep handy.

I would love to see lavender fields in some other parts of the world Suvarna! I am so sorry you won’t be able to see the ones in Provence this year. Next year will be amazing!

I’d love to see these fields in person some day. They look gorgeous!

It’s even better in real Sara! A real dream!

The Lavender fields have always been a dream for me. I’m definitely going to make it happen now. Also, the icecream looks amazing.

I am sure you will have the opportunity in the future Gemma! And the lavender and honey ice cream is such a great treat! Still mouth watering thinking about it!

Simply Madeleine

I plan to do a big France trip next year including Provence. Can´t wait to see the lavender fields. Thanks for sharing this guide!

Aww that’s awesome Madeleine! You will have an amazing trip for sure! Happy to be helpful!

Parnashree Devi

Your post has convinced me to plan a trip to Provence. Your photos are absolutely stunning. Just wanted to know who clicked those breathtaking shots. Loved your blog.

That’s amazing if I motivated you to visit Provence Parnashree! Thank you for the compliments! I am my own photographer. Therefore for my photoshoots I am doing the settings on the camera and framing what I want, then I am asking the friends who are visiting with me to click my vision :).

I am sure it smelled AMAZING! It’s been on my list for a while! So many tips here thank you.

Hopefully you can come here very soon Dana! You will LOVE it here!

Such a beautiful and inspirational post! Love the smaller village you’ve mentioned and your mini-guides. Very helpful. A road trip around this area would be such an amazing experience! Have I mentioned the photos are absolutely stunning?!

Thank you Maya! The region of Provence is full of treasures! I am always trying my best to provide as many tips as possible, so I am glad you find them useful :)!

I love wandering lavender fields! I’ve had a chance to visit a few in America, but not in France. You’ve given so many great tips about this area. I hope to get back to France sometime soon. It’s such a magical place. Thank you!

Provence is definitely one of the best places in the world to see the lavender fields Nancy! They are so dreamy! Hopefully you can see them by yourself soon!

I would love to go to Provence! That’s such a great tip about the harvest mid-July. I’ll be sure to come at the end of June, or the beginning of July!

It’s better not to come too late indeed Linnea. I wish for you that you can seen those beautiful fields and the amazing region of Provence by yourself!

Hillary Newman

Gah! Could these lavender fields be more stunning? So beautiful. Great photography!

The lavender fields in Provence are SO magical Hillary! And it’s even better in real as you can enjoy it with your 5 senses!

Amanda OBrien

wow gorgeous photos! Love this thorough guide – thanks for providing the detail on time of year and time to day to get the best pics. And great to know what other flowers and plants can be captured at the same time of year!

Thank you Amanda! I did my best to provide useful information to have the best experience in the area!

This is an amazing guide Ophelie! I was there almost two years ago for my birthday. I would love to go back and actually stay in Valensole and visit all the restaurants you went to. I stayed in Avignon last time and did the fields around Gordes, Roussillon and a few other small towns in that area. Your photos are absolutely stunning. 🙂

That’s great that you visited this area for your birthday! Such a nice way to celebrate it! The fields around Valensole seem wider than the ones I have seen in the area where you stayed last time, so I am sure you will enjoy a new trip! Thank you for the kind words!

Omg seeing the lavender fields in Provence is such a big dream of mine! Your photos are stunning, as always! 🙂

Thank you Kriszti! I hope this will be possible this summer for you!

Madison Schreiber

What stunning photos! This is one of my dream experiences so this guide is super helpful, I can’t wait to try the lavender ice cream you recommended! 😋

I am glad to read that my guide will be handy for you Madison! The lavender ice cream is to die for <3!

Diedre in Wanderland

I was so sad when I missed my chance to visit the Lavender fields during my time in France. Your post took me there and back! 😍

Such a pity you missed it last time Diedre :(. I wish that you can get another opportunity soon!

Sujenne Macaay

First off…. WOW your photos are stunning! Second .. This guide is amazing! perfect for when my trip I was planning for next year! Seeing your photos is like virtual traveling. I feel in Provence right now !

Thank you for the compliments Sujenne! I am sure you will enjoy Provence and the lavender fields to the fullest next year!

Oh my goodness I have to go next year, this year was my original plan! The photos in this post give me such wanderlust I love it! And love all of your outfits 🙂

This region is so photogenic Hanna! I am sure you will have an opportunity to come here sooner or later and capture all the beauty of this region by yourself!

These photos are so pretty! I really admire your dedication to getting dressed up and posing in beautiful dresses! I’m always so dishevelled and sweaty when I’m travelling!

Thank you Bella! As a content creator I love to create beautiful pictures to make people dream, so it’s a real pleasure for me!

Urban Wanders

I knew France had lavender fields but I had no idea they were this stunning! Would love to visit one day! Thanks for such a detailed post 🙂

The lavender fields in Provence are a real dream! Hopefully you will get the chance to enjoy them!

These photos are so beautiful. Wonderful tips for the lavender fields!

Thank you Cassie! I am happy to help and provide the best advice for the future travellers in Provence!

I really hope we can see the lavender fields this year. They’re so beautiful and I’ve always wanted to go. This is a great guide for them!

I wish your dream will be realized this summer Bliss! Glad this guide arrived on time!

Your pictures are so beautiful! I was suppose to visit the lavender fields this year! Thank you for reminding me that this still needs to be on top of my to do list!

This year is a bit special indeed Stephanie… But hopefully you will get the opportunity in the future and have fun in the lavender fields!

Your photos are so stunning! What an amazing guide to visiting the lavender fields, makes me want to return to Provence so badly!

Thank you Ann! Provence is the kind of region that worth to be visited again and again indeed!

Oh my gosh, your photos are incredible! I’d love to visit more of France one day. I’ve only ever been to Paris!

Thank you for the compliment Krystianna! France is such an amazing country, we have a lot of different landscapes. I hope you will be able to see more of it!

Beautiful pictures! The lighting is spectacular. Thanks for all the great info on the lavender fields in Provence, I’d love to visit them one day.

Thank you Ashley! I am sure you will adore the lavender fields in Provence if you get the opportunity to visit this region!

I am dreaming to visit these fields! hopefully next year! I really love how detailed this guide is and I will deff have to refer back to it and all the good places to eat when I get to finally go!

Amazing Sam! I am glad you are finding it helpful and I hope you can experience Provence by yourself next year!

Ton article m’a rappelé tellement de bons souvenirs (et je vois qu’on a les mêmes tips ahah)! J’aurais adoré y retourner cette année, mais ce sera pour plus tard. En tout cas, j’adore toutes les photos, sublimes!!

Oui en effet on a plein de tips en commun Léa ! Même pour les abeilles je vois ! On a la même manière de penser 🙂

It all looks so bright, colorful, and amazing. I can only imagine the smell of lavender. Thank you so much for this post! I dream of one day going to Provence and now I have a detailed what to do/eat guide. Loren

The smell of lavender is incredible loren and the colors are stunning! I wish you can experience it by yourself one day!

This is (hopefully) definitely on my 2021 travel bucket list. Thank you for writing such an extensive and helpful guide, I’ll definitely come back to it once I’ll start planning my Provence trip 🙂

Amazing Sara! I am so glad to help you for your future trip! Provence is such a beautiful region of France!

Oh wow these photos are STUNNING! I’ve been to France a lot growing up, but I’m yet to visit Provence – maybe when restrictions are lifted 🙂 Would love to take some pics there!

Restrictions should be lifted as of the 9th of June in France, so it might be possible this year depending on where you come from Nele! Thank you for the compliment!

awww. it’s that kind of season again… Can’t get enough from these colors!

Yes lavender season is coming! I hope you can enjoy it Stefanie!

Neha Kulshrestha

Wow! What dreamy pictures. These really want me to to fly to Provence and see these beautiful lavender fields. Loved reading the post with great helpful tips.

Thank you Nela! Provence is so beautiful with the lavender that it’s easy to take good photos here!

Nice Blog! Are the fields owned by someone? Or can you visit whenever you want? I am planning to organize a shoot with two models and not sure if I need to inform someone 🙂

Hello Megan! Actually the fields are all owned by different lavender producers. They usually do not like for anyone to walk around, as many people are careless and damage the crops. If you meet any of them in front of their fields, the best is to go talk to them directly and ask for permission!

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Last update: Feb 20, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

The best time to see the lavender fields in Provence

Are you looking to see when the best time to see the lavender fields in Provence is? If you are, you’re in luck! We have all the information you need in order to plan your trip to this incredible region, including when the lavender fields are in full bloom.

Best Time to See the Lavender Fields

• st paul de mausole, • abbaye de senanque, • road between gordes and roussillon, the region outside of lavender season, tripusafrance’s advice on when to visit provence.

If your main focus in traveling to Provence is visiting the lavender fields, then you should be aware of when the best time to see them in bloom will be. After all, you don’t want to plan a trip only to find that you’ve come too early or arrived too late!

The best time to see the fields is during the summer, from mid-June to mid-July. It is true that lavender lasts through August, although the harvesters generally begin cutting the fields before then; this is so they can extract the lavender oil when it is most potent.

If you’re wondering when to travel to get the best look at the fields before tourist season, we recommend making the trip the last week of June or first week of July. The lavender will be in bloom, but you will avoid most of the tourists who make the trip later in the summer.

It may also be possible, if the weather has been warm in the region, to spot lavender in early June. However, we advise that you check the weather and call the different tourist offices before making the choice to come so early in the summer.

You could also visit fields of the Occitanie region that are closer to the coast where the weather warms faster. These fields will be in full bloom by mid-June.

Where to see the lavender fields of Provence

We have a few suggestions of places to view the lavender fields. We have chosen these because we feel you will get a better view of the fields without so many tourists in the area, so keep these in mind!

The first place we recommend is the St Paul de Mausole in St Remy de Provence. It is a monastery that once served as a painting residence for Van Gogh, who created more than 140 paintings and 100 drawings in the year that he spent here. The lavender fields in this area are beautiful and will serve to ensure that you get some art along with your view of the flowers.

Sault, 1h from Avignon, is one of the most famous spot to see the lavender fields, however it is much less crowded than Valensole (the famous endless field with the tree in the middle that you have seen on the web) and as gorgeous! The best time to see the fields is in the morning as the light is better, of course if you can get up early sunrise is a must. Sunset is also a fantastic time to photograph the fields, but know that it will be much more crowded. A nice activity is to visit a distillery, we recommend Aroma’plantes , they have various fun activities for kids as much as adults.

Another excellent place for viewing the lavender fields is the Abbaye de Senanque near Avignon. This abbey is the home of the most famous lavender fields in France, so we suggest getting to this spot early in the morning when the light is situated in front of the lavender; it will also be considerably less crowded. The only downside is that the field in front of the Abbaye is completely fenced off, this means that you won’t be able to take a picture standing in the middle of the flowers, but the background with the church is so pretty that it’s actually a good thing that no one can block the scenery! You can also visit the beautiful Abbaye that is still in activity today but make sure that your knees and shoulders are covered.

One last place we will mention is more like a road trip. The road from Gordes, where the Abbaye de Senanque is located, and Roussillon, is beautiful and lined with lavender fields. You will also find lavender distilleries and a museum when trekking back and forth.

This region is more than just lavender fields; it is a beautiful region all year round and hosts a variety of tourist destinations, such as the Roman monuments, Avignon with the Pope’s palace, Baux-de-Provence labeled “one of the most beautiful villages of France”, the ochre village of Roussillon.

Many other activities are available year around such as visiting a Marseille soap factory, a visit to an olive oil distilleries but also the chance to browse the region’s famous museums, historical monuments, and more.

For wine lovers, the region offers wine tastings in Cotes du Rhone and Chateau Neuf du Pape. Rosé tours are also extremely popular; this is because this region produces 40 percent of the country’s rosé as well as six percent of the rosé found worldwide. Most villages and big cities have at least one wine tasting event, so make sure to check to see if you find one near you.

Art lovers are also in good hands here. There are a variety of art exhibitions at the Hotel Caumont in Aix-en-Provence as well as the annual Carrière Lumiere Art Show, which in 2018 will showcase Picasso works. Here’s a  good video  on what you can expect from this particular exhibition. And most of all you could visit Arles, home of Van Gogh for 2 years.

We can’t list everything that would make this region a great place to visit year-round, but we think that you will be pleasantly surprised to see that this region is a great destination no matter what time of year you decide to visit.

The best time to come to the region varies depending on what you want to see, but we have some suggestions for you.

If you’d like to see the lavender fields, we recommend visiting from mid-June to mid-July to make sure you don’t miss them. We strongly suggest visiting in mid-June to avoid the tourists; mid-August is the busiest time of year because the French come to Provence for their annual holidays.

If you are interested in visiting, we recommend traveling between April and September, with May, June, and September being the best months to travel. This is because there are fewer tourists, the weather is nice, and you will be able to see all that Provence has to offer!

If you’re interested in visiting this region outside of tourist season, we will caution you that mid-October/November can be quite rainy and therefore may not be a great time to travel to this region. The rest of the year, the climate can be a little cold but is still great for those who like cooler days for better comfort when walking around.

Provence is an incredible region to visit, no matter what time of the year it is. We hope that you have enough information now to know when the best time to see the lavender fields is and perhaps make a trip to this beautiful place in France whenever your heart desires. We can’t wait to see you here.

Want to travel to Southern France like a local?

CHECK OUT OUR “ 9 DAY SPECIAL LAVENDER SOUTHERN FRANCE ” TOURS! 

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The Most Beautiful Lavender Fields To Visit In Provence, France

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I can still smell the lavender-scented air and see the acres and acres of hills and valleys glowing purple in the sun. Provence in lavender season is the prettiest sight and will stay in your memory forever. The best way to see all this purple magic is to embark on a road trip through the region.

Provence is a vast region in southeast France, bordered in the west by the river Rhone, in the east by Italy, and in the south by the Mediterranean. To see the lavender fields in full bloom, you have to travel at the right time because it’s not a year-round event. You have a certain window because lavender doesn’t bloom everywhere in Provence at the same time. The best time is from early to mid-June to the end of August. Occitane, which is nearer to the Mediterranean, has a warmer climate than, say, Sault, and lavender blooms in early June. August is the holiday month in France, and the French love their lavender fields, too, so it can be rather crowded. But, if, like me, you opt for a car and driver, they will always find side roads you yourself would never know about and thus avoid the crowds.

Plan at least 3 days for your road trip or, if you have the time and budget, a week because you also want to visit interesting cities along the way like Avignon or Marseille and stay in one of the romantic country hotels.

Lavender isn’t just a beautiful and soothing sight, it’s also a business. This list was curated to take you to the most colorful fields and museums and artisans to show you all the fabulous products made from and with lavender and the traditional methods to produce them.

Driving yourself in Provence can be trying, especially as you have to venture into small winding side roads to get to the best fields and to navigate small villages. You want to admire the fields, the landscape, and the wayside cottages and farms, not to concentrate on not missing a turn or landing in a ditch. AMP Limousines is the service I used, having been picked up at Marseille, the largest city in Provence and also the location of an international airport. Sure, it’s expensive, but you can hire them for a day, then stop at a hotel and continue your journey when you are ready.

Remember, the locals make their living from the short lavender season. Tempting as it may be, do not walk into a lavender field and pluck a few blossoms. You’d be trespassing. And another word of caution: Mind the bees! They love lavender and buzz around to pollinate the blooms. You don’t want to get stung, so bring repellent.

The following are the best stops to see the lavender fields with recommendations on where to spend the night. Best to consult with your driver which route to follow.

S-F / Shutterstock

If like me, you land in Marseille Provence Airport, you might want to see this fantastic city before picking up your car. I recommend a boat trip to the Chateau d’If to see where the legendary Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. Don’t miss to sample the best bouillabaisse in one of the restaurants in the port.

Jelena Yukka / Shutterstock

From Marseille, we made our way to Avignon, another historic city to spend a few hours in. Take at least a look at the famous bridge and the papal palace. From there, we drove 20 miles south to Orgon and spent the night in the fabulous boutique country hotel, Le Mas De La Rose. Staying there really gets you into the Provence/Lavender experience spirit. The hotel is surrounded by olive groves and, of course, your first glimpse at the beauty of the purple magic.

StevanZZ / Shutterstock

Valensole Plateau

From the lower regions of Provence, we then headed to one of the most popular areas of lavender fields, the Valensole Plateau in the Alpes de Haute Provence. An area of 300 square miles covered with field after field awaits you here, together with farms, villages, and the famous lavender honey.

Julia Kuznetsova / Shutterstock

Lavender Museum Colustellet

We told you that the stops in our road trip itinerary would include places closely connected to the cultivation of lavender and the production of all the beautiful and sweet-smelling things made from lavender. The Museum of Lavender in the heart of Luberon is the first of those. The museum is an extension of the farm cultivating lavender for five generations and is located in a traditional mas (or stone house) typical for Provence. A documentary shown in a projection room shows all the steps from planting to harvest. In the shop, you will be surprised to see the great variety of products, and in other rooms of the museum, you see clothes and old photographs. It really gives you an idea about the history of lavender and the importance for Provence.

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Abbey Of Senanque

Not far from the museum stands the 12th-century Abbey Senanque . It is a working monastery where the Cisterian monks still strictly abide by the rules of their founder. However, they open their monastery to visitors at specific hours which you find on their website. The nearest town is Gordes. Lavender fields surround the monastery and are tended to by the monks. In their shop, they sell their own products, among them jars of delicious honey.

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Located at the foot of Mont Ventoux and on a platform of the same name, Sault is another very popular stop on the lavender route. The highlight of the year is a big lavender festival on the 15th of August because August is harvest time. It’s also a health resort, and if you want to stay longer, you can ascend to Mount Ventoux, hike and bike, or visit the Wednesday market. Sault also cooks, or rather bakes, with lavender. Try their famous nougat and macarons sprinkled with lavender. The flavor is very strong; therefore, it is only used sparingly.

Distillery Les Agnels

Nearby in the village of the same name is the Distillery Les Agnels , which grows lavender and produces essential oil and flavored waters since 1895. You will be impressed by a more industrial but still sustainable process with an emphasis on the oils. They even have an indoor pool with lavender-scented water where you can take a most welcome dip considering the heat.

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Located on the Durance riverbanks, Sisteron has a dramatic landscape with the steep La Baume Rock at its center and an interesting medieval old town with three museums and a citadel. A sightseeing train takes you around. The area around Sisteron features ample lavender fields as well as rolling fields of grain and prairies with horses. The Alps are visible in the distance.

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Much closer to Avignon and already on the way back, I spent the night at another fabulous country hotel, La Bastide du Tinel . The 18th-century stone mansion surrounded by lavender fields has only 28 rooms, among them my favorite suite, Eugenie, which features a unique basket handle arched ceiling. Nothing can be a better start to the day than a French breakfast on one of several terraces with a view of the purple sea.

You will get your fill of lavender cologne, sachets, creams, lotions, and potions, but in case you don’t want to take them home with you, you can get the real thing from l’Occitane , the most famous French lavender retailer with outlets worldwide.

And, if hiring a car and driver is beyond your budget, you may opt to rent a car and drive yourself. There are several other routes to the lavender fields that you can follow.

Or you can go on guided tours of various lengths, making, for instance, Avignon your base. But given the summer months when the fields are in bloom until the harvest time in mid-August, these tours tend to be full. Granted, the car/driver option is the most expensive, but you get the most out of the lavender experience because you can stop where you want, and your driver, being a local, is bound to know even lesser-known fields and farms and definitely won’t get lost.

Related Articles:

• 6 Quaint Villages In Provence, France You Must Visit
• How To Spend A Weekend In Beautiful Avignon, France
• 9 Fabulous Flowers To Plant To Remind You Of Your International Travels
• 5 Amazing Villages To Visit In Brittany, France
• 4 Fabulous Islands That The French Love
• 6 Best Wine Regions To Visit In France

For the past eleven years, blogger and traveler Inka Piegsa Quischotte has been documenting her adventures over at her blog GlamourGranny Travels . Inka loves to write about luxury and solo travel, mostly to places where the sun shines. She has lived in London, Miami, and Istanbul for several years, and now makes her home in Spain's Costa Blanca.

The 12 Best Places To Go In July

All products and services featured are independently selected by forbes vetted contributors and editors. when you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. learn more, lindsay cohn , contributor, forbes vetted.

J uly is peak summer, but while hotspots like Paris and Rome are guaranteed to be swarming with tourists, there are many compelling alternative places to visit. The best places to go in July offer equally amazing views and experiences without the high season crowds and sweltering heat. It’s also worth considering off-peak destinations for extra savings, as flights to popular destinations during this time can often double or triple in price.

If you love the vineyard-laced charm of Napa, Healdsburg will surely delight novice sippers and expert swirlers alike. Instead of contending with crowds in Santorini, why not escape to Paros for a dreamy Grecian getaway? Of course, we’re not suggesting travelers eschew beloved summer vacation destinations altogether. After all, some places, like Ogunquit and Cannon Beach, are fan favorites for good reasons. Whether you’re in search of a beach escape or an urban adventure, these are the best places to go in July 2024.

Where To Stay In The Best Places To Go In July:

• Paros: Andronis Minois ; Avant Mar ; Parīlio
• Luberon: Coquillade Provence ; Airelles Gordes, La Bastide ; Villa Yolanda
• Ogunquit: The Dunes on The Waterfront ; Beachmere Inn ; Two-Bedroom Apartment
• Bermuda: Rosewood Bermuda ; Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa ; The Loren at Pink Beach
• Healdsburg: Montage Healdsburg ; Harmon Guest House ; Vineyard Cottage
• Toronto: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto ; The Hazelton Hotel Toronto ; 1 Hotel Toronto
• Olympic National Park: Deer Park Campground ; Kalaloch Lodge ; Lake Crescent Lodge
• Osaka: InterContinental Osaka, an IHG Hotel ; Conrad Osaka ; Zentis Osaka
• Porto: Torel Avantgarde ; The Rebello ; Village by BOA
• Kruger National Park: Singita Lebombo Lodge ; Lion Sands Ivory Lodge ; Kapama River Lodge
• Cannon Beach: The Ocean Lodge ; The House at Cannon Beach ; Cozy Cottage
• Bergen: Hôtel Charmante ; Hotel Norge by Scandic ; Bergen Apartment

Beautiful Naousa village, Paros island, Cyclades, Greece

Paros, Greece

Who Will Love It: Beachgoers; island hoppers

All-Star Attractions: Parikia Town; Panagia Ekatondapiliani; Lefkes

What Not To Miss: A private cruise around the island

Where To Stay: Andronis Minois ; Avant Mar ; Parīlio

While July falls squarely within the peak tourist period for Paros, there’s plenty of sunshine, clear waters of the Aegean Sea, coastal real estate (almost 75 miles to be exact) and fresh octopus to go around. Because it’s less crowded than Mykonos and Santorini, visitors can still spread out a towel on the many sandy beaches and walk around the traditional villages. It’s not hard to snag a table at excellent restaurants, which range from more easy-going tavernas that spill onto the sidewalk to more upscale gourmet establishments. History buffs should visit Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a Byzantine church from the 4th century A.D. Boat tours to admire unique rock formations and discover hidden coves as well as day trips to low-key Antiparos are popular activities.

Where To Stay:

Andronis Minois : This completely revamped Cycladic-style resort offers 44 elegant suites, a sparkling pool, a sea-view restaurant that serves elevated Mediterranean fare and a holistic spa for facials and massages to Parasporos.

Avant Mar : A swish sanctuary with an excellent location, Avant Mar is an upscale base for swimming, savoring rock shrimp tempuras at Matsuhisa and blissing out on Piperi Beach that’s within walking distance of shops and restaurants in Noussa.

Parīlio : Parilio is an endlessly chic and photogenic place for a Grecian getaway that’s defined by its whitewashed Cyclades architecture and hand-picked decorative touches. It’s also a soulful stay with a serene atmosphere and a pool deck for basking under the Grecian sun.

Gordes, a hill top village above Apt in the Luberon, Provence, France.

Luberon, France

Who Will Love It: Francophiles; oenophiles; relaxation seekers

All-Star Attractions: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque; Le Sentier des OcresMines Bruoux

What Not To Miss: Friday mornings at Marché de Lourmarin

Where To Stay: Coquillade Provence ; Airelles Gordes, La Bastide ; Villa Yolanda

Two and a half hours inland from the buzzy beaches of Saint Tropez and Nice sits a quieter, more pastoral part of Provence. The Luberon is a blissfully sleepy, lavender-scented region that’s picturesque, full of character and wonderfully relaxing. Weekly markets abound with fresh seasonal produce like cherries, peaches and melon as well as cheese, cured meats, fresh-baked breads and olives. There are many hilltop villages to explore. And besides Gordes—which draws crowds with its fairytale stone facades and monastery that’s fronted by lavender fields that bloom in the summer—none of the towns feel particularly busy. It’s quite enjoyable to wander the cobbled lanes of Roussillon and Ménerbes, soak in the natural beauty of Luberon Regional Natural Park and visit some of the excellent local wineries.

Coquillade Provence : The perfect place to unwind on a holiday to the Luberon, this five-star hotel features an on-site winery, fragrant gardens, an outdoor swimming pool for cooling off on hot summer days, as well as one of the best spas in Provence.

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide : This former seigneurial residence turned 41-key hotel provides proximity to the historic village of Gordes and an utterly relaxing crash pad to return to after sightseeing that’s complete with a pool, spa and multiple restaurants.

Villa Yolanda : Guests staying at this 18th-century stone house in the heart of Gordes can walk to the weekly market and stock up on essentials before heading back for an alfresco lunch in the garden and a lazy afternoon by the pool.

Fishing boats docked in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, on coast of Maine south of Portland, USA

Ogunquit, Maine

Who Will Love It: Beachgoers; families

All-Star Attractions: Ogunquit Beach; Ogunquit Playhouse; Marginal Way

What Not To Miss: Eating a Maine lobster roll

Where To Stay: The Dunes on The Waterfront ; Beachmere Inn ; Two-Bedroom Apartment

An annual summer trip to Ogunquit is something many families look forward to all year. And, of course, this coastal Maine town doesn’t just attract kids and parents. Its seaside charm, classic New England good looks and seafood shacks are popular among couples and groups of friends, too. Frequently ranked among the best beaches in the United States , Ogunquit Beach is a great place for building sand castles, swimming (the water finally starts to warm up in July), exploring tidal pools, kicking back on Adirondack chairs and watching the sunset. Other fan-favorite activities include strolling along Marginal Way, the 1.5-mile cliff walk that connects Shore Road to Perkins Cove and checking out the shops, art galleries and restaurants in downtown. Don’t leave without trying a Maine lobster roll.

The Dunes on The Waterfront : This revitalized historic property blends the best of old and new. Dotted across 12 acres of oceanfront lawns, reimagined whitewashed cottages are equipped with contemporary decor, gas-burning fireplaces, wet bars and cozy bedding.

Beachmere Inn : Steeped in history and set along Marginal Way, Beachmere Inn looks like a New England postcard with oceanview rooms tucked inside a Victorian Building dating back to 1897 and an expansive grassy lawn.

Two-Bedroom Apartment : When it comes to beach vacations, you really just need a clean, convenient place to rest after long days soaking up the sun. This two-bedroom apartment fits the bill, plus it’s decorated in a contemporary coastal style and is an easy walk to Perkins Cove.

Large and small homes are nestled in the steep but low hills above the water on the outskirts of Hamilton, Bermuda.

Who Will Love It: Sun worshippers; beachgoers; aquatic adventurers

All-Star Attractions: Pink Beach; Hamilton; Royal Naval Dockyard

What Not To Miss: Sipping Rum Swizzles at The Swizzle Inn

Where To Stay: Rosewood Bermuda ; Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa ; The Loren at Pink Beach

If you’re looking for a laid-back island vacation with picture-perfect weather and plenty to do, set your sights on Bermuda in July. When the sun is constantly shining, it’s prime time to explore the many beautiful beaches, go on boat trips and partake in aquatic activities ranging from scuba diving to deep-sea fishing (anglers won’t want to miss the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship). Back on land, there are opportunities for playing golf, visiting historic forts, wandering around Hamilton, and slogging back refreshing cocktails. Of course, you’re going to want to try a Dark 'n Stormy when in Bermuda—after all, it’s the national drink. Don’t sleep on the Rum Swizzles from The Swizzle Inn, either.

Rosewood Bermuda : Few properties make such an impression on even the most discerning guests as Rosewood Bermuda. From the elegantly appointed suites and botanical spa treatments to the gourmet dining and beach club, everything about it is luxury at its finest.

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa : The reimagined Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa looks a lot different than it did back in 1923. The latest iteration shows off restyled cottages that overflow with tropical whimsy. There’s also a chic bar for Dark 'n Stormy as well as creative cocktails.

The Loren at Pink Beach : Perched along one of Bermuda's most iconic and Instagrammable stretches of sand, The Loren offers direct beach access, an overwater restaurant, and a Sisley Spa. While the views wow any time of day, they're especially stunning at sunset.

Sunrise over vineyards in Healdsburg, CA

Healdsburg, California

Who Will Love It: Oenophiles; foodies

All-Star Attractions: Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve; Russian River Valley; Healdsburg Farmer's Market

What Not To Miss: A wine tasting and picnic by the river at Truett Hurst

Where To Stay: Montage Healdsburg ; Harmon Guest House ; Vineyard Cottage

If your travel love language is sipping world-class wine at sustainably oriented wineries, savoring farm-to-table fare and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the great outdoors, get ready to fall head-over-heels for Healdsburg. The perfect alternative to overly touristy Napa, July in this charming Sonoma destination means enjoying the most delicious and delightful parts of Northern California. When it comes to sipping and swirling, be sure to hit Truett Hurst , Flowers Vineyard & Winery and Marine Layer Wines . For dinner, make a reservation at Barndiva , a celebrity favorite. Don’t miss the farmers market and evening jazz on the plaza, and just a 10-minute drive north, Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or moderate hike.

Montage Healdsburg : The most luxurious resort in the area, Montage Healdsburg attracts discerning travelers with its sophisticated accommodations, gourmet cuisine, and world-class spa.

Harmon Guest House : Travelers keen to walk to tasting rooms, restaurants and shops will love Harmon Guest House, a modern boutique which offers a residential atmosphere much cozier than your average hotel. The location is truly hard to beat, although the rooftop terrace makes a compelling case for staying put.

Vineyard Cottage : Surrounded by 10 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, this cottage feels a lot like somewhere the main character in a rom-com would rent to heal a broken heart.

View of Toronto City from above - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto, Canada

Who Will Love It: Foodies; urbanites

All-Star Attractions: CN Tower; St. Lawrence Market; Toronto Music Garden

What Not To Miss: Sampling the diverse cuisine in Kensington Market

Where To Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto ; The Hazelton Hotel Toronto ; 1 Hotel Toronto

Canada’s most cosmopolitan city is full of character, culture and food. Between the dozens of vendors in historic St. Lawrence Market, the Michelin-rated fine dining restaurants and diverse culinary neighborhoods like Kensington Market, you’re never far from something delicious. Pleasant weather makes July ideal for enjoying patio dining and having a drink outside in the buzzy, pedestrian-only Distillery District. The flavor-packed Summerlicious food festival stretches most of the month. It’s also prime time to take advantage of all the outdoor attractions, whether that’s strolling along the waterfront promenade, listening to an impromptu performance in the leafy Toronto Music Garden, or taking a day trip to one of the nearby hiking areas.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto : For five-star luxury in the upscale Yorkville neighborhood, check into the Four Seasons. From the sophisticated lobby and guest rooms appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking tubs and the dreamiest beds to the detail-oriented service, everything is top-notch.

The Hazelton Hotel Toronto : This luxury hotel stands out for its elegant yet understated spaces—which include a glamorous lobby, a spa for facials and massages 62 rooms and 15 suites.

1 Hotel Toronto : Sustainability and sleek design come together at the 1 Hotel Toronto. A natural palette and the use of reclaimed natural materials like wood (the DJ booth is crafted from fallen trees) and stone are complemented by leafy plants and a chill yet lively atmosphere.

Olympic National Park

The views in Olympic National Park , Washington, USA.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Who Will Love It: Outdoor enthusiasts; adventurers

All-Star Attractions: Mt. Olympus; Lake Ozette; Kalaloch Beach

What Not To Miss: Stargazing

Where To Stay: Deer Park Campground ; Kalaloch Lodge ; Lake Crescent Lodge

The perfect antidote to the rainy weather during other parts of the year, July brings warm, dry conditions to Olympic National Park. That's good news for adventurers who flock to the Pacific Northwest gem to soak in the spectacular scenery that covers old-growth forests, glacial lakes, peaks and coastline. Hiking and backpacking as well as climbing glacier-covered Mt. Olympus top the list of popular pursuits. Free ranger-led programs, like guided interpretive walks and astronomy, are ideal for families with kids and travelers of all ages. The park’s lack of light pollution combined with clear skies means the stars shine extra bright—so it's an excellent place to go stargazing. Visitors can even join a master observer at Hurricane Ridge to admire the cosmos. There are both reservation-required and walk-in-only campgrounds if you decide to spend the night.

Deer Park Campground : Set at an elevation of 5,400 feet, this first-come, first-serve campground (open mid-June through October) is a great spot to pitch a tent within the park. Travelers snooze under the stars and wake up to mountain views.

Kalaloch Lodge : This no-frills lodge supplies rooms in both the main lodge and Seacrest House, cabins and a group campsite. But the real draw is having the coastal beauty of the Olympic Peninsula’s beaches and evergreen forests right outside your door.

Lake Crescent Lodge : Built in 1915, this historic lodge has welcomed parkgoers for over a century. The comfortable rooms and cozy lobby with a stone fireplace are great spots to unwind after adventuring. In the summer, grab a spot on the porch for sensational sunset views.

Osaka Tower and view of the neon advertisements Shinsekai district

Osaka, Japan

Who Will Love It: Foodies; Japanophiles; amusement park fans

All-Star Attractions: Osaka Castle; Sumiyoshi-taisha; Universal Studios Japan

What Not To Miss: Eating street food in the neon-illuminated Dotonbori district

Where To Stay: InterContinental Osaka, an IHG Hotel ; Conrad Osaka ; Zentis Osaka

Osaka is a culinary hotspot. When it comes to temperature, it’s bound to be balmy, or even sweltering, in July. But if you don’t mind a little heat and humidity, it’s a great time to eat all the delicious street food—from takoyaki (octopus balls) to okonomiyaki (cabbage pancakes)—without waiting in lengthy lines that come with peak tourist season. It’s also easier to nab hard-to-score reservations at some of the world-class omakase spots. Besides its incredible culinary scene, Japan’s second-largest city is full of bright lights, larger-than-life attractions and culture. Can’t-miss sights include the 16th-century Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha, while visitors of all ages will have a blast at Universal Studios Japan.

InterContinental Osaka, an IHG Hotel : Connected to Osaka Station via a sky bridge, the InterContinental Osaka is ideal for travelers who plan to go sightseeing or do day trips and then want to return for an onsen session before dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant Pierre.

Conrad Osaka : Occupying the highest stories of Nakanoshima Festival West Tower, Conrad Osaka supplies some of the most spectacular skyline views from the lobby, sky bar and acclaimed teppanyaki restaurant as well as guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Zentis Osaka : For something a bit more boutique, check into Zentis Osaka, which offers sleek, light-drenched rooms appointed with all the requisite modern conveniences for a comfortable stay.

Aerial view of old town of Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal

Who Will Love It: Foodies; oenophiles; culture vultures

All-Star Attractions: Clerigos Church; Ribeira; Porto Cathedral

What Not To Miss: Sipping a glass of tawny at the port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia

Where To Stay: Torel Avantgarde ; The Rebello ; Village by BOA

Lisbon may be the point of entry for most travelers, but Porto has established itself a cultural and culinary superpower within the Iberian nation. It’s also less hot and less crowded than the capital city in July, which makes it better suited for sightseeing and exploring its UNESCO-listed cobbled center. Situated on the banks of the Douro River estuary, the northern Portuguese city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country—including Casa Guedes, which serves traditional Francesinha sandwiches made with layers of bread, meat cheese and boozy sauce. Port lodges and eateries with outdoor seating line Vila Nova de Gaia, while oenophiles should check out the wine-focused attractions at the WOW cultural district and plan a day trip to the Douro Valley to sip vin straight from the source.

Torel Avantgarde : Trendsetters and travelers mingle underneath a flower-clad ceiling at the bar at Torel Avantgarde. After tossing back porto tonicos, guests get to retire to rooms named after famous tastemakers for a bit of restful shut-eye.

The Rebello : From a cluster of warehouses to a buzzy bolthole on the southern bank of the River Douro, The Rebello pays homage to many eras with loft-style rooms that ooze industrial chic, a Roman-inspired spa and a buzzy rooftop.

Village by BOA : A 19th-century working-class community turned apartment-hotel concept, Village by BOA injects a heavy dose of contemporary character into its apartment-style accommodations and communal courtyard.

Kruger National Park

Wild African elephant from Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Who Will Love It: Wildlife lovers; adventurers

All-Star Attractions: Lions; buffalo; elephants

What Not To Miss: Big 5 game viewing

Where To Stay: Singita Lebombo Lodge ; Lion Sands Ivory Lodge ; Kapama River Lodge

In the realm of bucket-list adventures, a safari pretty much tops them all, and Kruger National Park is an incredible—and reasonably accessible—option. Because South Africa calls the Southern Hemisphere home, the seasons are the opposite of North America. Travelers packing up for a July trip will be able to experience cool, pleasant weather and some of the best animal viewing of any month. Most lodges include accommodations, twice daily game drives to spy lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinoceros from a close but respectful distance, food (who wouldn’t love dinner in the bush under the stars?), beverages and cultural activities, meaning your long-haul trip will be stress-free.

Singita Lebombo Lodge : This award-winning five-star lodge is a luxurious home base for wildlife encounters and gourmet experiences. It features refined accommodations as well as fine dining and a top-flight wine cellar.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge : Situated in Sabi Sands, adjacent to Kruger National Park, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is recognized as one of the best safari lodges in the world and beloved for its impeccable designed villas that are decked out in black and white tones and flaunt private plunge pools.

Kapama River Lodge : Part of the Greater Kruger area, this top-rated lodge sits on a 15,000-hectare private game reserve for privacy and incredible animal viewing. Guests rave about the modern suites and stellar service.

Cannon Beach

Sunset on Sea stack formations off the town of Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Who Will Love It: Outdoor enthusiasts; beachgoers; photographers

All-Star Attractions: Ecola State Park; Arcadia Beach; Hug Point State Recreation Site

What Not To Miss: Snapping a photo of Haystack Rock

Where To Stay: The Ocean Lodge ; The House at Cannon Beach ; Cozy Cottage

Located in northwest Oregon, a mere 90 minutes drive from Portland, Cannon Beach is best known for Haystack Rock, which rises from the ocean and draws day-trippers and photographers from near and far. Besides its most iconic attraction, you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy the scenery and pleasant July weather. Ecola State Park supplies hiking trails with sweeping coastal vistas, secluded coves and a lighthouse, while Hug Point State Recreation Site features sea caves, a stunning coastline and a waterfall. Arcadia Beach is also a great place to bring the kids for picnics and to explore the tide pools. Don’t miss the local boutiques and galleries in downtown.

The Ocean Lodge : A favored Cannon Beach stay steps from Haystack Rock, The Ocean Lodge marries an impeccable location, well-appointed rooms with gas fireplaces and thoughtful touches such as evening wine receptions and fresh-baked cookies in the lobby

The House at Cannon Beach : This remodeled cedar-shingled oozes coastal charm with a light-illuminated deck, fire pit and gas barbecue. Better yet, it’s conveniently located right in the heart of the action on First Street.

Cozy Cottage : This quaint cottage looks like a movie set with its shingled facade and bright red door. The interiors are tastefully appointed and the deck is ideal for lazy afternoons that melt into evening.

Bergen, Norway. View of historical buildings in Bryggen- Hanseatic wharf in Bergen, Norway. UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bergen, Norway

Who Will Love It: Outdoor enthusiasts; photographers; midnight sun chasers

All-Star Attractions: Sognefjord; Bryggen; Fløibanen Funicular

What Not To Miss: Witnessing the Midnight Sun

Where To Stay: Hôtel Charmante ; Hotel Norge by Scandic ; Bergen Apartment

Teetering on Norway’s southwestern coast, Bergen feels like more like a small town than a city. It’s this level of charm that so beautifully matches the spectacular setting that’s ensconced by peaks and fjords—including Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in the country. The mild, clear weather in July is tailor-made for adventuring, whether that be trekking or kayaking. The Fløibanen Funicular climbs to the top of Mount Fløyen for unparalleled panoramas and trail access. If you’re up for it, the hike to Mount Ulriken is particularly beautiful when everything erupts in lush green and wildflowers. In addition to its incomprehensible natural wonders that abound, there’s plenty of manmade character to admire—especially Bryggen, the old wharf district that’s lined with colorful wooden houses.

Hôtel Charmante : A departure from the more minimal Scandi aesthetic that abounds in this part of the world, Hôtel Charmante has a more maximalist sensibility with eye-catching fabrics, wallpaper and decorative objects galore.

Hotel Norge by Scandic : Right in the center of town, Hotel Norge by Scandic, where contemporary rooms with comfy beds and balconies that invite travelers to sit and soak in the magic of the Midnight Sun.

Bergen Apartment : A clean, contemporary home base for exploring the wonders of Bergen, this one-bedroom has everything you need for a comfortable stay within walking distance of key sights. Fair warning: It’s on the third floor, so pack light.

About Lindsay Cohn, Your July Vacation Guide

I'm a travel journalist with over a decade of professional experience writing, editing, and jet-setting. My passion for seeing the world has taken me to 46 countries across six continents—and counting. Whether exploring somewhere new or returning to a familiar favorite, I’m always vetting the best boutique hotels, wine bars, and juice shops. When I'm not writing, you can find me doing yoga, hanging with my sons, and planning trips to the many destinations on my ever-growing bucket list. In addition to Forbes Vetted, my work has appeared on Travel + Leisure, Veranda, InsideHook, The Zoe Report, Hotels Above Par, ELLE Decor, Condé Nast Traveler, Tripadvisor, Well+Good, PureWow and more.

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• Last Updated On
• June 3, 2024

This 30-Acre Lavender Farm In Michigan Is So Stunning, You Might Think You’re In A Dream

Looking for a serene escape filled with breathtaking beauty?

Let’s step into a world of fragrant blooms and stunning vistas in Michigan .

Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City offers a 30-acre haven that feels almost dreamlike.

Get ready to wander through fields of vibrant lavender, enjoying the calming scent and picturesque views.

Ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of this lavender paradise?

Picture yourself driving through the lush landscapes of Northern Michigan, where the vibrant shades of green are as abundant as the freshwater lakes dotting the horizon.

Suddenly, the scenery shifts, and you’re greeted by rows upon rows of purple splendor.

Welcome to Lavender Hill Farm, a 30-acre sanctuary where the air is perfumed with the sweet and soothing scent of lavender.

As you step out of your car, the first thing you’ll notice is the tranquil hum that fills the air, a symphony of bees busy at their work.

They’re the unsung heroes of this place, ensuring each lavender bud blooms to its fullest potential.

Take a minute to appreciate their harmonious buzz—it’s the farm’s natural soundtrack.

Strolling down the winding paths between the lavender fields, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to the countryside of Provence.

The vibrant hues of purple, pink, and white stretch as far as the eye can see, a patchwork quilt lovingly sewn by Mother Nature herself.

Don’t be shy to run your fingers through the flowers.

A gentle touch releases bursts of aromatic oils, leaving a lingering fragrance that you’ll carry with you long after you leave.

Nestled within Lavender Hill Farm, there’s this adorable little gift shop that seems like it sprung right out of a purple dream.

It’s where lavender isn’t just a color or a scent but a lifestyle.

Walking in, you’re greeted by a symphony of soothing aromas and the kind of warm smiles that make you feel like you’ve just bumped into an old friend.

Now, let’s talk about the merchandise.

Handcrafted soaps that promise to leave you smelling like you’ve been frolicking in fields of Provence—that’s right, without the airfare.

Lotions that give your skin the kind of glow that usually comes after a vacation or, let’s be honest, a really good nap.

And for the foodies, the culinary delights!

The lavender jelly is not just a condiment but a conversation starter.

Drizzle it on toast, and suddenly you’re not just eating breakfast, you’re having an experience.

You can also get your lavender grey tea and pixie dust fix.

It’s like a jazz band serenading your taste buds, and every note is just right.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill farm shop.

It’s a place where every item has a story, every scent has a memory, and you’re bound to leave with something that makes your day a little bit lighter and a whole lot more fragrant.

Be sure to check out the calendar of events before your visit.

Lavender Hill Farm isn’t just about serene strolls and aromatic indulgences—it’s a hub of activity.

From yoga classes that let you stretch out amidst the flowers to workshops that teach you how to distill your own lavender oil, there’s an experience for every type of traveler.

At the farm, the air’s so thick with the scent of lavender you could practically spread it on toast and call it breakfast.

Related: This Quirky Nun Doll Museum in Michigan is a Roadside Attraction Unlike any Other

Related: This Engineering Marvel in Michigan is the State’s Longest Wooden Suspension Bridge

Related: This Bumper Cars on Ice Experience in Michigan Offers a Twirl of Thrills for All Ages

And it’s not just for the floral enthusiasts who can tell their perennials from their annuals.

Nope, it’s a family affair!

Kids can zip around the open fields faster than a bee chasing its next pollen fix, playing hide and seek like they’re undercover agents in a garden operation.

But it’s not all fun and games—there’s a learning curve here, too.

I mean, where else can your little ones get schooled on the A-B-Seeds of lavender?

These educational tours are like storytime with Mother Nature as the narrator.

They’ll take you from the humble beginnings of a tiny seedling to the grand finale of a fragrant sachet that could knock out any sock drawer’s stink.

It’s a hands-on experience, and by hands-on, I mean tiny dirt-filled fingernails and the occasional petal in the hair.

It’s a chance for the whole family to get grounded, quite literally, and come away smelling like a field in Provence.

Who knew that learning about the birds and the bees could be so…aromatic?

Bring your camera, because let me tell you, the scenery is showing off just for you.

It’s like the landscape is on the runway, and you’re sitting front row at nature’s fashion show.

At sunrise, the world is painted with a palette that even the best makeup artist couldn’t dream up.

You’ve got soft pinks and vibrant oranges that would make the juiciest peach envious.

And then, there’s the golden hour—that’s prime time, my friend.

The sun turns into a mood lighting professional, casting everything in a warm, forgiving glow.

It’s like the world’s saying, “Here’s my good side,” and honestly, every side is its good side.

Snap away, because these moments are the kind that even memory can’t do justice.

Just remember, the shutter click is your applause in this grand natural theater.

And let’s not forget about the simple joy of picnicking.

Visitors are welcome to bring a blanket and a basket full of goodies to enjoy an al fresco meal.

Sitting amongst the lavender, with a spread of local cheeses and fruits, you’ll feel a connection to the land that’s both grounding and exhilarating.

As the day winds down, you might find yourself reluctant to leave.

The farm often hosts evening concerts, where the melodies dance through the fields and add an extra layer of magic to the setting sun.

It’s an experience that truly embodies the spirit of Northern Michigan—natural, unassuming, and utterly captivating.

Before you bid adieu to this dreamy destination, make a mental note to return in different seasons.

Lavender Hill Farm is ever-changing, with each visit offering new sights, sounds, and scents.

It’s a reminder that nature’s beauty is not just found in exotic locales far from home but right here, in our own backyard, waiting to be rediscovered.

For more information, be sure to visit their website or Facebook page .

To plan your journey, use this handy map to guide you straight to this slice of Michigan heaven.

Where: 7354 Horton Bay Rd N, Boyne City, MI 49712

Now, who’s ready to trade the familiar for the fantastical and step into a dream at Lavender Hill Farm?

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The Best Summer Honeymoon Destinations for a Luxe, Sun-Soaked Retreat

By Shelby Wax

Couples who get married from June to September should find it relatively easy to dash abroad after they say “I do.” After all, so many of the best summer honeymoon destinations are in their prime during peak wedding season. Craving the summer glamour of Europe? The comfortable winter temperatures of tropical destinations below the equator? Whether you wish to escape to the beach, explore historic towns, or just enjoy each other’s company alongside a private pool, there’s a dream destination to fill your heart’s desire.

To help narrow down your search, here are some of the best summer honeymoon destinations around the globe—all ideal for kicking back, relaxing, and reconnecting after the rush of wedding planning is over.

The Cycladic Islands of Greece are at peak season in the summertime, as warm temperatures coincide with the opening of beach clubs and restaurants in the region. Crowds of tourists might make visiting tricky in July and August, but locals prefer heading to the islands in June and September for a calmer retreat. The Domes group has two stunning properties on Mykonos and Santorini that are perfect for honeymooners hoping to island hop. Each hotel is located a five to 10-minute drive away from the islands’ most popular spots and offers stunning sunset views and delicious, regionally-informed fine dining. Plus, many of the luxury suites have their own private pools for couples looking to balance alone time with the excitement of the bustling islands. In Mykonos, there are beach clubs like Soho House outpost Scorpios and boat trips to the ancient ruins of Delos; honeymooners in Santorini can enjoy the views of Oia and enjoy local cuisine and sip on Assyrtiko at the popular winery Domaine Sigalas .

South Africa

If exploring the wildlife of South Africa has always been a dream for you and your spouse-to-be, book a honeymoon safari from May to September. For a romantic escape in nature, consider a suite at the Great River Fish Lodge on the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy large viewing decks and private plunge pools from their spacious suites and adventure on daily game drives. Another excellent option for safaris is the &Beyond Tengile River Lodge on the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The hotel’s eco-friendly design features glamorous, bespoke interiors that create a lovely respite after a day out with guides. A few nights in Cape Town are also a must. Book a stay at the waterfront One&Only Cape Town and be sure to make time to explore the region’s many vineyards .

While dry temperatures might be toasty in the South of France throughout the summer, it’s also an incredible time to explore the coastline and sip on the region’s famed rosé. If you want to enjoy the Mediterranean, head to The Maybourne Riviera for gorgeous modern interiors featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal incredible cliffside views and a hopping beach club open all season. Spend a few nights out at Capelongue to experience a luxe, relaxing Provençal retreat with beautiful vistas of Lubéron and its own Michelin-starred restaurant, then head to the the gorgeous city of Aix-en-Provence for a stay at Villa Saint-Ange , which offers the rare luxury of a lush escape close to the city center. Pro tip: The region’s famed lavender fields are best seen in the earlier part of the summer before harvest begins in August.

The Northeastern United States

By Emma Specter

By Twiggy Jalloh

By Anny Choi

Couples getting married in the Northeast need not go far to enjoy a relaxing postnuptial vacation. If you’re hosting a New York City celebration, consider staying a night or two at the Ritz Carlton New York Central Park to enjoy unparalleled views of the park and a La Prairie spa treatment before jetting off to a distant honeymoon destination. Another excellent mini-moon option is the Auberge Collection’s idyllic Mayflower Inn & Spa in Connecticut, with charming interiors by Celerie Kemble, farm-to-table dining, and incredible grounds that are ready for both lazy and active summer activities—all ideal for some romantic R&R. Of course, honeymooners should absolutely take advantage of the inn’s beautiful spa retreat by The Well with its state-of-the-art facilities, holistic treatments, and dreamy design.

If the lush jungle and beaches of Bali have always called to you as your dream honeymoon destination, it’s best to book your trip during the dry season from May to October. Luxury comes at a lower price on the island, so an incredible experience awaits no matter your budget. If you wish to splurge on a clifftop contemporary retreat along the coast, book a stay at the Alila Uluwatu . Each villa is equipped with numerous amenities and private pools, while the top-tier service can be tailored to your taste from “discrete” to “indulgent.” If you prefer an escape immersed in the jungle, Como Shambhala Estate is the perfect resort to let you and your new spouse focus on wellness and relaxation.

June is one of the best times to embrace la dolce vita in Italy . With temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s, honeymooners can explore the storied museums, vineyards, and coastlines before the crowds and humidity increase in July and August. Honeymooners who have already toured the historic cities of Rome , Florence, and Venice can avoid the rush of summer tourism and take advantage of the relaxing retreats throughout the country. If you’re looking for a White Lotus -inspired vacation (without the drama, of course), take a trip to Taormina in Sicily for a beachside honeymoon. Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel is a stunning property for your stay with old-world charm dripping from its wallpapered halls and six-acre gardens. For an intimate escape focused on food, wine, and wellness, head to the hills and relax after your nuptials at the Monteverdi Tuscany . Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site Val d’Orcia, the hotel brings next-level fine dining to the medieval town. Any architecturally minded honeymooners heading to Capri might want to book a few nights at Punta Tragara . Designed by Le Corbusier, the interiors are as much of a draw as the beautiful ocean views. If you want to infuse your classic holiday with a modern touch, you might want to stay a while at Il Sereno , a Lake Como hotel designed with a refined, minimalist sensibility by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola.

If you want a perfect blend of beaches and stunning wildlife, head to the African island nation of Mauritius. June and September are the sweet spot months to avoid the extreme heat of the summer and slightly cooler temperatures of the winter—although numbers during the months of July and August rarely dip below the 60s. National parks offer beautiful jungle excursions while the coastline is famed for its incredible beaches. Lux* Grand Baie is definitely a hot spot on the island for couples that don't mind balancing relaxing spa visits with dj sets by the pool. For a more restful retreat, book a stay at the Maradiva Villas Resort perched above Tamarin Bay. It’s important to note for LGBT+ honeymooners that while same-sex marriages are not legal in the country, the government has banned all discrimination against same-sex couples.

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