If there’s one flower that defines France, it’s lavender, because of the huge carpets of purple flowers that cowl the countryside of Provence. The fantastic thing about the lavender fields lives as much as the hype – get out among the many purple haze, sniff the heady summer time breezes and navigate picturesque hilltop cities, historical church buildings and fairly valleys.
Between mid-June and mid-August – particularly across the Luberon valley, the Plateau de Valensole close to Manosque and the Sault space – you can be spoilt for alternative with regards to lavender experiences. Lavender has been grown on this area for a whole lot of years, and bundles of lower lavender, recognized domestically as paille (straw) are nonetheless packed tightly into steam stills to extract their important oils.
Since 1997, the huile essentielle de lavande de Haute-Provence (Haute-Provence lavender oil) has been protected by its personal appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), however the overwhelming majority of farms produce a higher-yielding hybrid referred to as lavandin.
This cross-breed of English and Portuguese lavender produces 5 instances extra oil than fantastic lavender, or lavande. Solely a handful of farms nonetheless domesticate the extra finicky lavande species, although these command a lot greater costs and (in accordance with aficionados) have a a lot finer aroma.
Many farms and distilleries are open for visits, detailed on the Routes de la Lavande web site; an accompanying leaflet is obtainable from native vacationer places of work. There are additionally lavender-themed festivals in Valensole (mid-July), Sault (mid-August) and Valréas (early August).
Right here’s a information to cruising France’s lavender fields, with detours to mountainside distilleries and journeys to scoop up all issues lavender at plentiful native markets.
Take snaps of purple Provence on the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Remoted and ridiculously photogenic, the Twelfth-century Cistercian Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque close to Gordes is famously framed by lavender. The abbey was based in 1148 and continues to be residence to a small variety of monks. The cloisters have a haunting, extreme magnificence however reservations are important in case you plan to go to, whether or not on a guided tour or independently (within the latter case, guests can borrow an information-packed pill that exhibits what abbey life was like within the Thirteenth century). Conservative gown and silence are required; be sure you construct in further time to benefit from the meditative great thing about the lavender fields.
Soar alongside the Plateau de Valensole
Dreamily quiet Plateau de Valensole, simply east of Manosque, has Provence’s best focus of lavender farms. When you attain Valensole village, make your technique to MEA Provence, the place you will discover lavender fields, an fragrant backyard and exhibition panels in regards to the historical past of lavender rising on the Valensole plateau. On the store, you possibly can browse important oils, soaps, skincare merchandise, dried bouquets, honey, sweet, ice cream and different lavender-laced merchandise.
Mingle between lavender and mountains in Sault
This drowsily charming, remoted hilltop city mixes its lavender views with plum orchards and scattered forests. Head to Les Lavandes de Champelle, a roadside farm stand northwest of city, which has nice buys for cooks resembling fleur de sel (sea salt) infused with Provençal herbs. The lavender up right here is understood for its darkish, OK…deep purple, hue.
The city’s different sizzling spot is André Boyer, which has saved farmers, cyclists and mountaineers stocked with honey and almond nougat since 1887. Lavender marshmallows and native 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 equally awe-inspiring. Nicknamed le géant de Provence (‘the enormous of Provence’), this nice white hulk is seen from a lot of the area. The height sparkles all 12 months spherical – as soon as the snow melts, its naked limestone slopes glimmer within the solar; from the summit, clear-day vistas lengthen to the Alps and the Camargue.
Climb by way of village lanes for views of St-Saturnin-lès-Apt
St-Saturnin-lès-Apt is a refreshingly ungentrified village, 10km (6km) north of the big city of Apt, with marvelous views of the encompassing Vaucluse plateau punctuated by purple lavender fields. Climb to the ruins atop the village for a knockout vista. At Moulin à Huile Jullien, you possibly can see how olives are milled into oil, with honey and oil tastings thrown in.
Odor all of the flowers at Prieuré de Salagon
This lovely Thirteenth-century priory on the outskirts of Mane is right this moment residence to beautiful gardens and a diverting museum. That is ethnobotany at its most poetic and sensual – you possibly can wander by way of recreated medieval herb gardens, aromatic with native lavender, mints and mugworts. Contained in the medieval partitions, the museum’s exhibitions present a captivating perception into rural life in Haute-Provence.
The walled city of Mane is gorgeous for strolling, too, and the Pont Roman de Mane can be price a glance. This triple-arched stone bridge crossing the trickling River Laye dates from the Twelfth or Thirteenth century and it makes a fantastic spot for a picnic.
Sweep by way of 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, stroll or motor by way of the lavender fields and alongside the northern slopes of 1125m (3691ft) Mourre Nègre, the Luberon’s highest level, accessible from Auribeau.
Touring by automobile or bike, the D113 climbs to the idyllic lavender distillery of Les Agnels, which produces lavender, cypress and rosemary important oils. The small on-site spa has a lavender-scented swimming pool. Keep at L’Auberge du Presbytère in tiny Saignon, which perches on a excessive rocky slope, its slender streets ringed by craggy scrub and petite lavender plots, with unbelievable vistas throughout the Luberon to Mont Ventoux.
Cycle by way of the lavender fields for max perfume
There is no higher technique to breathe within the wealthy lavender aromas than exploring by bike. La Provence à Vélo can level you in direction of traditional cycle routes, together with one by way of a number of the loveliest lavender fields within the area, following a 33km round route across the Plateau de Sault.
When are the lavender fields in bloom?
In the event you love lavender in bloom, mid-June to mid-August is the time to catch it flowering in Provence (July is prime time, however June is spectacular too). Nonetheless, you will not be the one customer. The colleges are out for summer time, filling the countryside with vacationers, visitors and too many complet (full) indicators strung in lodge home windows – guide properly forward.
The sweet-scented flowers are mechanically harvested when in full bloom, between 15 July and 15 August on a sizzling dry day. Lorry a great deal of lower lavender are then packed into steam stills and distilled to extract the candy important oils. You possibly can watch the method on the Distillerie du Siron, a conventional, family-run distillery and natural flower farm protecting 20 blazing hectares close to the medieval village of Thoard, northwest of Digne-les-Bains.
Greatest lavender experiences (when the fields aren’t in bloom)
In the event you miss the blazing blossoms in summer time, it is nonetheless price 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 possibly can hit different experiences based mostly round this delectable flower.
Simply outdoors the village of Coustellet, the Musée de la Lavande is a superb eco-museum and dealing lavender farm the place you possibly can immerse your self within the traditions and historical past of this Provençal icon and purchase lavender goodies within the on-site boutique. Afterward, the hilltop village of Gordes is price a detour, particularly at sundown, adopted maybe by a drink on the panoramic terrace on the lavish Bastide de Gordes lodge.
Or hit the realm’s different Musée de la Lavande in Digne-les-Bains, which explores Provence’s lavender-growing tradition and phases distilling classes in its courtyard throughout summer time. The most important city for some miles round, Digne-les-Bains is the capital of the département of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and an vital lavender processing heart, but it surely’s a bit brief on must-see sights in any other case.
About 50km (31 miles) southwest, Forcalquier has an upbeat, barely bohemian vibe, a holdover from the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies, when artists and back-to-the-landers arrived within the space, fostering a now-booming biologique (natural) motion. Saffron is grown right here, absinthe is distilled, and the city is residence to the weird Université Européenne des Senteurs & Saveurs (UESS; European College of Scents and Flavors).
To see all of it in motion, time your go to to coincide with the Monday morning market. You can too pop in for a drink, a Michelin-starred meal and (in case your funds permits) an in a single day keep on the luxurious Couvent des Minimes, owned by perfume home L’Occitane.
The perfect lavender treats to purchase, scent, and style
Some 80% of the important oils produced within the area’s 150 distilleries is exported, however the different 20% makes its technique to native markets and into the native delicacies and toiletries. Distinctive to Provençal delicacies is the usage of lavender as a flavoring – the flowers scent natural teas, tart up desserts and spice grilled meats, and lavender leaves float in aromatic soups. You’ll additionally discover lavender in ice cream, chocolate, and naturally the area’s superb honey. And don’t cross up a lavender crème brûlée in case you see it on the menu.
All through the area, weekly meals markets are full of trestle tables groaning underneath the burden of marinated olives, goat’s cheese, honey, peaches, melons and a bounty of different sun-kissed fruit, veggies and seasonal meals. And, in fact, lavender is properly represented – from lavender sachets for scenting bedclothes to lavender honey. Understand that some lavender delectables can be found at native supermarkets, too.
When looking for lavender, it is price figuring out that essentially the most sought-after product is okay lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula vera, or Lavandula officinalis), not spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) or the hybrid lavandin (Lavandula hybrida). The latter vegetation are excessive in camphor and are used primarily to provide detergents, cosmetics and pure paint solvents, not fragrance.
The city of Manosque has two beautiful fountains and a historic cobblestoned core, however the visitors and suburban nothingness make visiting a nuisance. So why swing by? Simply southeast is the manufacturing unit residence of L’Occitane, the corporate that turned conventional lavender-, almond- and olive oil–based mostly Provençal skincare into a worldwide phenomenon. Manufacturing unit excursions may be booked on-line; the store gives a flat 10% low cost and there is additionally a small Mediterranean backyard to peruse.
