Below, we answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the role lavender plays in this region. We hope this information helps you understand this beautiful plant and guides your visit to Provence. Throughout this page, look for “Visitor’s Tip” for additional information.
Lavender is part of the Lamiaceae family (mint), and there are 39 varieties of lavender. Two main varieties of lavender grow in Provence. The “real” lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill), or lavande fine in French, is a small, tufted plant with a single spike of flowers. Lavandin is a hybrid, the result of a cross between lavender and a wild varietal, lavender aspic. It’s a hardy plant, less susceptible to disease. A single lavandin stem has three blue-purple flower spikes. Learn more about the different varieties of lavender.
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Lavender is relatively easy to grow in Provence because it suits the climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Additionally, the dry, sandy, rocky soil and altitudes between 600 and 1,400 metres are ideal for these low shrubs. Fine lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) grows best at elevations above 800 metres. Learn more about growing lavender in Provence.
The lavender harvest usually ends around mid-August. Lavender farmers wait for the flowers to reach their absolute peak before harvesting. Waiting for peak bloom is critical to maximize essential-oil yield during distillation.
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Until the 1950s, people harvested lavender by hand. Farm workers walked through the rows of plants, carefully cut the flowers, tied them into bunches, and left them to dry in the sun. Today, especially at large commercial farms, lavender is harvested mechanically. Specialized tractors cut and roll the plants into large bundles. However, some smaller farms may still harvest lavender by hand.
Unfortunately, climate change is affecting lavender production, according to Provence’s agricultural research institute CRIEPPAM (Regional Interprofessional Centre for Experimentation in Perfume, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants). This organization confirms that reduced spring and autumn rainfall endangers lavender crops. Additionally, hotter summers increase the populations of destructive disease-carrying insects that scar the plant and reduce its production to 3 or 4 years, down from its typical 10-year lifespan.
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To mitigate the effects of climate change, farmers are changing how they grow and harvest lavender. In the future, there will be fewer perfectly manicured lavender fields. Instead, we will see other indigenous plants growing alongside lavender and possibly goats and sheep grazing between the rows. Watch this short documentary by the Givaudan Foundation about climate and lavender production.
Summer is lavender season in Provence. Generally, plants start blooming in mid- to late June. They reach their peak colour in July. Harvest typically happens late July to early August when flowers are at their peak. However, the exact timing varies annually depending on the weather patterns that year.
Flower timing depends on late-winter and early-spring weather. For example, a cold, wet spring means lavender will bloom later in the season. Fields at lower elevations with good sun exposure tend to bloom sooner than those at higher elevations. While flowering timing varies from year to year, most fields are in full bloom by late June or early July, and the harvest is typically complete by mid-August. Learn more about lavender Season in Provence.
Photo credit ©Paul Shawcross
Generally, lavender seasons last from mid-June to mid-August. However, some regions or farms may bloom for only a few weeks. Generally, warm southern regions at lower altitudes near Aix-en-Provence, such as the farm at Terre Ugo, have blooms in early June.
Because of its higher elevations, blooming is later in Haute-Provence towns such as Sault, the capital of fine lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Lavender on the Valensole Plateau, in the Luberon, and in the Apt region begins flowering in late June and reaches peak bloom by early to mid-July. In fact, the Valensole Plateau is one of the most photographed lavender regions.
Visitor’s Tip: Please be respectful that these fields are private property and that the plant and its health impact a farmer’s livelihood. Some growers have fenced off their fields because individuals have trespassed and ruined some of the crop for that “perfect shot.”
Photo credit: Terre Ugo ©Camille Moirenc
Visitor’s Tip: If you can rent a car and drive around the region, preferably from south to north and from lower to higher altitudes, you can extend the lavender-viewing season by 2–3 weeks.
Annual weather patterns affect lavender flowering. For instance, late-spring frosts can damage young flower buds and delay or reduce blooming. Heavy spring rains can also reduce flower growth. Early heat waves can shorten the season as plants bloom earlier and dry out faster.
You’ll find some of the best lavender fields near Mt Ventoux and in Sault, which is often called the lavender capital. The Luberon Valley also has beautiful fields near Bonnieux, Saignon, Apt, and the well-known Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey near Gordes. Near Aix-en-Provence, Terre Ugo’s fields start blooming in early June. The Vaucluse region is another great spot for lavender.
Visitor’s Tip: Some time ago, Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey’s monks decided that their lavender field was becoming too popular, resulting in traffic, parking, and inconsiderate tourists. The field is now fenced to protect the plants. If you pay the fee to visit the Abbey and learn about its history and current projects, you can get close to the lavender field.
Here are seven of the best areas in Provence to visit for lavender fields.
Photo credit: ©Your Private Provence
Provence is famous for its lavender, but many spots get crowded during peak season. Still, many beautiful places are worth visiting. Sault and the surrounding area have large lavender fields. Several hilltop towns near the Luberon Regional Park offer great views of the farms. The Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey, near Gordes, is also one of the most photographed lavender sites.
If you’re looking for smaller, quieter lavender fields, visit Saignon, a charming hilltop village near Apt. The road between Roussillon and Joucas offers great close-up views and photo spots. Murs, a small village north of Joucas, also has peaceful lavender fields.
Visitor’s Tip: The lavender season can be relatively short. However if you missed the peak of the flower bloom or are visiting at another time of the year there are other ways to understand the importance of this crop on the region. Some ideas include visiting a distillery or the Lavender museum.
There are plenty of places in Provence where you can learn about lavender. Terre Ugo, a family-run farm in Puyricard near Aix-en-Provence, offers tours of its organic lavender fields, along with seasonal events and workshops. You can also learn about lavender cultivation and shop at their boutique.
Sault, in the Vaucluse region, is known as France’s lavender capital. You can visit La Ferme aux Lavandes to walk through the fields and learn about lavender farming. The farm also has a roadside boutique selling lavender products.
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While you’re in Sault, stop by Distillerie Aroma’ Plantes. This distillery has processed lavender and other aromatic plants for over five generations. They offer tours of the fields and distillery, plus a discovery center and workshops for both adults and children.
Distillerie les Coulets, near Apt, is a small, family-run business that distills lavender from the nearby fields. It’s a great place to learn about traditional, authentic essential oil production.
South of Apt, on the way to the hamlet of Buoux, you’ll find Distillerie Les Agnels. The Agnel family has distilled lavender and other aromatic plants here for five generations. Along with distillery tours, there’s an interactive centre where you can discover the secrets of lavender and learn to identify its varieties by scent.
Le musée de la lavande Luberon (Luberon Lavender Museum) is open year-round, with shorter hours in the off-peak season. Here, you can learn about the past and present of ‘lavande fin,’ including how it’s farmed, harvested, and distilled.
Explore more of our favourite places to see lavender in Provence. If you love fragrances, you might also enjoy spending a day in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital.
Visitor’s Tip: Timing the peak of the lavender bloom is a little like seeing maple trees showcase their best fall colours. However, don’t worry; a visit to the musée de la lavande Luberon in Cabrières-d’Avignon or a perfume house such as Fragonard in Grasse delivers a fragrance-filled experience.
Lavender fields look beautiful in full bloom at any time, but photographer Ashley Tinker recommends sunrise and sunset for the warm golden light that highlights them at their best. Even then, popular fields can be busy as tourists and photographers wait for the perfect shot.
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The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is one of Provence’s most iconic and photographed lavender scenes (see Visitor’s Tip above). If you’re looking for a quintessential Provençal lavender photo, you’ll find it here. However, if you’re looking for dramatic panoramic photos or landscapes to paint, visit the Valensole Plateau, the area around Sault, or the Jabron Valley.
For great photos in the lavender fields, we noticed (based on the photos on our website) that people wearing soft neutral colours like white, cream, and beige, as well as pastels like pale pink, peach, and soft blue, look best. Use bold colours sparingly, only for contrast. Overall, simple, elegant outfits will help you stand out without taking away from the beauty of the fields.
Lavender fields are privately owned and operate as working farms, so visitors are considered guests. Each farm has its own set of rules and guidelines. If you have questions, check with the farm before your visit. The answers here come from our experiences visiting lavender fields in Provence.
Lavender farms are private property, and you usually can’t walk into the fields unless the farm says otherwise. For example, at Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey, visitors cannot enter the fields to protect the plants. At La Ferme aux Lavandes, some fields are open to visitors. Since many farms are also homes, please visit only during the posted open hours.
Every farm has its own rules about touching or picking lavender. Some do not allow visitors to touch or pick the plants. Others have special areas where you can touch the lavender and learn about it, and some even let you pick your own to take home. No matter where you go, please follow the farm’s rules. If you see lavender fields from the road, remember they are private property, so do not enter without permission.
Most farms charge a modest entry fee during the blooming season, and may charge extra for workshops or special events. Bring enough cash, since many farms do not accept credit cards.
Most farms do not charge for personal photos of you, your family, or friends. However, photographers who want to take professional photos, including drone shots, may be charged a fee. Some farms do not allow any professional photography or drones.
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Although each farm has its own rules, there are some general ways to help protect the plants. Stay on the marked paths and be mindful of the bees, which make lavender honey. Please do not smoke, eat, or leave any trash in the fields. Remember the guiding principle for environmental stewardship and low-impact tourism: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
Since lavender fields are working farms, it’s best to wear flat, closed-toed shoes for walking on dirt and uneven ground. Choose light-colored, comfortable clothes to stay cool, as there is little shade. On sunny days, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If it rains, wear waterproof shoes, a raincoat, and bring an umbrella.
Visitor’s Tip: Lavender fields are beautiful, but also tend to be dry and dusty so closed toed shoes are recommended. You are not the only one attracted to the flowers, bees, wasps and other insects tend to buzz around the plants so you should be careful not to get stung.
Most lavender farms welcome families. Parents should make sure children follow the rules. Because the ground is uneven, strollers and carriages are hard to use, and some farms do not allow them in the fields.
Some farms only allow service animals. Others welcome pets if they are well-behaved, kept on a leash, and their owners clean up after them.
It’s a good idea to check the farm’s website or call ahead to see if children and pets are welcome.
Many larger farms have reception areas and shops where you can buy water and snacks and use the toilets. However, smaller farms may not have these facilities. Some farms are also not accessible to people with reduced mobility or special needs. It’s a good idea to check the farm’s website or call ahead to see if they have what you need.
Since lavender is so iconic in Provence, almost every store carries lavender products from scented soaps to delicious honey. Sadly, much of it is mass-produced elsewhere and labelled as local. In the local markets, you may also find non-local items. Check for origin labels, ask vendors where the lavender is grown, and look for references to specific farms or certifications to ensure authenticity.
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Fortunately, businesses still maintain quality and traditional Provencal production methods. Several cultivators follow true organic practices, entitling them to mark their products as “Bio.” Lavender farms are one of the best places to purchase lavender items, because it’s almost guaranteed that the lavender is grown on site.
One popular lavender product is the fuseau, or wand. Fuseaux are 100% natural and include only fresh plants and brightly coloured ribbons. Their fragrance beautifully scents clothes and linens. In the markets, you’ll often see artisans making and selling them. Alternatively, find them at Fuseaux de Lavande, La Maison FRANC in Lourmarin, and Marius in Arles.
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Sachets, fine burlap sacks of lavender flowers, are another favourite lavender product. They make ideal gifts, or keep them in your linen cupboard, closets, or suitcases. You can find sachets available at almost any farm or market. Or, explore themed selections from Remember Provence.
The herb is a member of the mint family, and certain cultivars of true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are edible. The flower buds add a unique flavour to drinks, baked goods, desserts, and savoury dishes. Ideally, use organic lavender for the best flavours.
Photo credit ©David Scott Allen I Cocoa and Lavender
Lavender has a very strong flavour. To avoid having your meals taste like soap, use it sparingly. In fact, if using dried lavender, use only ¼ of the amount.
Explore our collection of Provencal recipes that celebrate culinary lavender, including these delicious recipes. Whether you’re baking, roasting, or blending up a cool summer soup, these fragrant recipes bring a taste of Provence to your table.
To understand how lavender essential oil is extracted, visit a distillery. Over two dozen distilleries in Provence that offer public tours. Some smaller facilities distill lavender using traditional methods. Larger ones use modern equipment, but the process remains the same.
Trucks transport freshly cut lavender flowers to the distillery. The flowers are placed in enormous, tightly sealed vats (imagine gigantic pressure cookers). Steam forced into the vats heats the flowers, causing them to release their essential oils. The steam is captured and condensed into a liquid, which is then separated to yield the clear, highly scented essence and a fraction of the essential oil. Both parts are used commercially.
It takes about 100kg of lavender flowers to make 1 litre of essential oil, which is why it is so expensive. The deep, sweet, almost honeyed aroma of the essence and oil is a world away from synthetic, mass-produced fragrances and poor-quality products on the market.
The pure essence and oil are diluted with other natural oils and used to make a variety of lavender-scented products, including massage oils, soaps, shampoos, body lotions, perfumes, laundry soaps, household cleaners, air fresheners, and more. Food-grade essential oils flavour chocolates, sweets, teas, and pastries.
Lavender farming is central to Provençal culture. From blooming to harvest, lavender-themed festivals, parades, markets, and celebrations abound.
The Fête de la lavande (Lavender Festival) in Sault, celebrated on August 15, is one of the region’s most famous lavender events. Thousands of visitors attend each year to enjoy the family-friendly festivities and learn about local lavender.
Photo credit ©Vaucluse Dreamer
The Economic Association of Valensole hosts an annual lavender festival on the third Sunday in July. This festival includes lavender-themed exhibitions, concerts featuring traditional music and dances, a parade, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
On the last weekend in July, head to one of France’s beautiful villages, Sainte-Agnès, to participate in its lavender festival. You can watch demonstrations of the distilling process, visit artisans in the markets, and participate in the harvest mass at l’église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges.
When Apt celebrates its Fête de la Lavande in mid-July, the streets are decorated with purple bunting, and shops and the market showcase lavender-themed displays. The festival itself is lively and community-focused, featuring everything from local crafts and mobile distilleries to vintage cars adorned with lavender. Visitors can sample lavender-infused dishes, from lamb to crème brûlée.
