Lavender fields and Provence go hand-in-hand like Notre Dame and Paris. This sun-drenched region of France is home to more than 10,000 hectares of lavender whose purple-blue blooms stretch far into the horizon and whose fragrance fills the air for the entire summer. As well as a thriving industry for hundreds of local families, the lavender fields in Provence also count as one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions.
If you plan to include a visit to see the ‘blue gold’, read on to discover all you need to know about lavender in Provence.
What’s the origin of the lavender fields in Provence?
Greek traders are thought to be the original bearers of lavender to Provence in 600BC. But as with so many things in France (including wine!), the Romans were responsible for widespread cultivation of the plant. They also discovered that the flower could be distilled into oil.
By the 14th century, chemists in Burgundy were using lavender for medicinal purposes – the plant was purportedly so miraculous it could even cure the plague.
But lavender’s true heyday began when the first perfume factories in Grasse unleashed its scent for their fragrances, leading to mass cultivation of the plant. By the beginning of the 20th century, lavender had widespread use and high demand; it became one of the staple products of Provence.
Did you know? Lavender is (perhaps unsurprisingly) the symbol of Provence.
What species of lavender are grown?
The lavender fields in Provence contain two types of lavender. The ‘fine’ lavender consists of four species – lavandula vera, spica, stoechas and dentata. The more widely cultivated lavandin is a hybrid of ‘fine’ lavender and is preferred by many farmers because of its higher yield.
Did you know? To produce just one litre of lavender essence you need 100 kilos of flower – little wonder there are so many lavender fields in Provence!
What’s lavender used for?
We’re mostly familiar with its uses, both medicinal and therapeutic. Lavender oils relax us in baths and cushion and soothe our headaches and insect bites. They also have antiseptic properties and can help cure burns.
Lavender flowers are increasingly used in cooking to perfume dishes, particularly desserts and lavender sorbet ranks among the up-and-coming dishes in Provence. Lavender honey – made from the pollen on the flowers – is widely available and has an extremely delicate taste. Discover 18 more foodie treats in Provence.
Did you know? Lavender festivals take place in several areas during the harvest season. The biggest events in Provence are at Ferrassieres on the first Saturday in July, at Valesole on the third Saturday in July and at Sault on 15 August.
Where are the best places to see the lavender fields in Provence?
Go almost anywhere in Provence between mid-June and mid-August and you’ll be greeted by a vast stretch of fragrant purple, but there are some hotspots listed below. It’s worth remembering that the lavender fields attract tourists in their thousands – it isn’t uncommon to arrive and discover several coachloads already there. To avoid the crowds, visit first or last thing in the day or choose a lavender field off the beaten tourist track (see our last two suggestions below).
- Valensole – the area is the largest under lavender cultivation in France and in season, the flowers stretch literally as far as the eye can see.
- Sénanque Abbey – for many people, this is the most iconic place to see lavender fields in Provence and as a result, the working monastery gets very crowded with tourists. The Abbey is located in Luberon, one of the main lavender producing areas in Provence. You’ll also find the Museum of Lavender at Coustellet in this part of Provence.
- Drôme – lesser known than other lavender fields, those in this part of Provence have the added attraction of two of the country’s most beautiful villages: Montbrun-les-Bains and La Garde Adhémar.
- Southern Ardèches – while not as vast as the fields around Valensole, those at Viviers are just as pretty. Like the lavender fields at Drôme, you’ll find the ones here quieter during season.
Did you know? Provence has several official Routes de la Lavande that take you through the best fields in the area. Find out more here.
When’s the best time to see them?
Like all crops, lavender plants bloom in time with the summer season. A wetter spring tends to postpone full flowering while a dry spring period brings it forward. But in general you can see lavender fields in Provence in their full glory between mid-June and mid-August. To catch them at their absolute best, visit in mid-July when their purple blooms brightest.
Did you know? The higher the lavender field, the later the bloom. So if you’ve left your visit later than mid-July, head for fields at altitude and enjoy the sight and scent until mid-August.
Can you see the lavender fields in Provence from a French waterway?
One of the best ways to take in the unique spectacle of lavender in Provence is from on board a boat. Summer makes the perfect season for cruising French rivers and including a visit to some lavender fields on your itinerary adds some extra magic to your holiday.
Book a luxury barge cruise along the Rhone and experience the blue-purple gold of Provence for yourself as you discover one of the delights of the summer in France.
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