Blooming from June to August, lavender gives amazing colors to the natural landscapes of Provence - from smoky purple to blue-violet, depending on weather conditions and flowering pores. Tourist routes - lavender roads - are laid among fields, flower farms and picturesque villages mainly in the north of the province.

During the lavender flowering period in Provence, there are many themed festivals where you can buy lavender soap, essential oils, honey, bouquets and bags of dried flowers.

The flowering period of lavender in Provence is from June to August. But to be sure to see the picturesque purple fields, plan a trip from mid-June to mid-July. At the end of July, lavender begins to mow. Be careful: there are a huge number of wasps in the fields.

The best way to see the lavender fields is by car. This method of movement will allow you to see the secluded corners of Provence, as well as choose the most interesting shooting point: flower fields occupy a fairly large area. You can go on a bike trip, but you need to be prepared for steep descents and ascents.

In the Alps of Haute Provence, in the city of Coustellet, located in the southwest of the province, a lavender museum has been opened.

How to get there

Lavender fields found in the north of Provence - in the tourist region Drome Provencale (Drôme Provencale) and the department of Vaucluse (Vaucluse); the largest and most picturesque are in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. You can get to Vaucluse along the A7 and A9 highways; Alpes de Haute Provence - on the A51 motorway; Drome region - along the A7 and A49 highways.

Location

Lavender fields occupy the northern part of the Provence region, as well as the Drome department in the Rhone-Alpes region.

The color, texture and smell of the lavender field is for many a symbol of Provence. You can enjoy them by car, bike or on foot. Lavender is characterized as the "soul" of Provence.

There are several lavender fields that can be seen in this part of France, and each one is more breathtaking than the last. When you fully immerse yourself in this unsurpassed atmosphere, you will be able to smell its wonderful smell that is in the air. Not only smells cause a strong and peaceful feeling. Its natural beauty also remains untouched and delightful. The highest concentrations of lavender fields are located on the high plateaus around Mount Ventoux. Here you will find endless rows of flowers that are in full bloom between June and August.

Story

Lavender is part of the genus Labiaceae, which also includes mint, savory, and thyme. It is believed that lavender plants originally appeared on canary islands or in what is now Iran. Regardless of where the purple flower originated, it has grown and accumulated a vast history. The Greek inhabitants considered lavender to be one of the precious plants.

The Roman settlement used it for washing. From their language, lavender literally translates as "to wash." The Romans also extracted essential oils from lavender to use as perfumes. In the Middle Ages, it began to be used not only as a beauty product, but also for its healing properties.

Today, the largest cultivations of lavender are found in Provence, while most of its extracts are used in perfumery and pharmacology. Recently, only the female sex harvested and put it up for sale, while the men were busy with other household duties. To create and collect large flower fields, it was often necessary to ask for help, which is available in nearby countries.

Over time, everything has become much easier with the availability of harvesters. But since the middle of the 20th century, when harvesting machines became available, all harvesting and harvesting was done by hand. In this region, the flower is associated with local history and beauty, and its abundance is put to good use in the local community. It is constantly used to create cosmetics, perfumes and toiletries, and local establishments use it to spice up regional cuisine.

When to go to the lavender fields of Provence

The most beautiful season in Provence takes place between June and August. This time of year, the famous Provencal lavender fields are in full bloom! If you are planning a trip to the south of France during these months, then we advise you to add Provence to your list of things to do, as its beauty will turn your holiday into a holiday. To catch the prairie lavender in full bloom, the most best time to visit is the period from the end of June to mid-July (it depends on the amount of rainfall during the year). Harvesting takes place from mid-July to mid-August and is an occasion for celebration.

Lavender festivals in Provence

Festival in Valensole

July 19 is the annual lavender festival in Valensole. It includes traditional excursions to lavender fields and distilleries, as well as many activities for both adults and children.

Festival in the commune of So

Every year on August 15, the Lavender Harvest Festival is held in Sault. The festival includes traditional lavender picking, parades with folklore groups (in traditional Provençal costumes), the sale of local products, live music, fresh local products and wines! There are also exciting games with lavender for adults and children. Don't forget to try the lavender ice cream!

In the middle of summer, lavender blooms in northern Provence. Lavender fields - business card Provence - not inferior in popularity Cote d'Azur. Postcard views of the fields, covered with purple rows of fragrant lavender, attract many tourists to Haute-Provence. Lavender has been cultivated in this region for nearly a thousand years for its soothing aroma and healing properties. We will tell you where and when the most famous lavender fields bloom, how to get there, what to buy and where to stay.

When

From the end of June when lavender blooms, and until the beginning of August when it is collected. The flowering period depends on the weather and the area where it grows. Below you will find a map of the flowering of lavender fields, on it the fields that bloom from the end of June to July 15 are marked in light purple, those that bloom from the beginning to July 25 in blue, and the fields that bloom from the beginning of July until July 25 are marked in dark purple. 10th of August.

Orange marked big cities region - Cannes, Avignon, Arles, Valence. In each of the cities, we advise you to visit the tourist office (Office de tourisme) and take there detailed map lavender fields, which is updated every year. There you can also learn about local holidays, fairs and festivals.

How to get there

By car. Renting a car is the most convenient solution, because most of the fields do not go to trains or buses. And by car, you can make your own route or drive along one of the roads that pass through the most beautiful fields and mountains, with stops in medieval villages and castles. It is best to start from Nice or Marseille. Days from mechanical box transfers will cost from 1,700 rubles.

Public transport. By train, you can travel from Paris or Marseille to Avignon, from where tour companies organize day trips by bus through the lavender fields. There is also a train from Avignon to Carpentras, where you can take the Carpentras - Sault bus, which goes through the lavender fields to old City Co.

Bicycle routes lavender fields are becoming more and more popular, but they are only suitable for people with good physical fitness, because Provence is hills and mountains, and the average temperature in summer is 30-35 ° C.

Where

The main lavender fields are concentrated in three regions of Provence: Alpes de Haute-Provence, Vaucluse and Hautes-Alpes.. Many cities have tourist associations offering hiking and cycling. All information about six Lavender roads (Routes de la lavande) available in English on the website of the association MoveYourAlps (offline and online maps, information about holidays, attractions, hotels and campsites).

Major areas of lavender bloom

- The plains and perfume factories of the Vercors, Diois and Drôme Provençal districts (Vercors, Diois, Drôme Provençal) where lavender blooms from late June to late July. Drive from Crest to Baronnies, through fields near Die and Rosans, where the road goes over low mountains, past plateaus with lavender fields. Drome Provence is famous not only for lavender, but also for the medieval villages of Dieulefit, Grignon, Valréas.

- Hills and mountains in the area of ​​Drôme, Vaucluse, Alpes de Haute Provence (Drôme, Vaucluse, Alpes de Haute Provence). From June to mid-July, Lavender blooms in dozens of fields around the mountain villages of Vaison-la-Romaine, Nyon, Buis-le-Baronnie, Orpierre, Rosans (Vaison-la-Romaine, Nyons, Buis-les-Baronnies, Orpierre, Rosans).

- Mountains, ocher canyon and medieval castle in the area of ​​Ventoux, Lure and Luberon (Ventoux, Lure, Luberon). The towns of Gordes and Apt are surrounded by fields selling lavender honey, and the huge ocher canyon Rustrel is called the Colorado of Provence because of its Martian landscapes. We advise you to visit there at dawn or at sunset, when the walls of the canyon are shining in all shades of red. Near the canyon is the medieval castle of Mane (chateau Mane), and at the foot of the white mountains Lure (Lure) grows the most fragrant mountain lavender.

- descent from the mountains to the Cote d'Azur in the area of ​​Grasse and Valensole (Grasse et Valensole). Descend from the vast lavender plateau of Valensole through the Mézel and Barèmme to Castellane, next to which lies the Artuby lavender valley. The route ends in Grasse, the perfume capital of France. Here, lavender blooms until mid-August.

Must see: lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau

Pro Valensole plateau, which lies in the foothills of the Alps and looks like an endless sea of ​​\u200b\u200blavender, it is worth telling separately. There are more than ten lavender fields on the plateau. You can see everything by driving on a circular route of 33 kilometers: Valensole D56 east to Puimoisson - along D953 north to the interchange "Poteau de Telle" - D8 back west to Valensole.

Near the plateau of Valensole there is the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, included in the list of the most beautiful villages in France, and 30 kilometers to the southeast is Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon)- the most beautiful in France. We recommend visiting grand canyon Verdon Gorge ( grand canyon du Verdon is a gigantic gorge in limestone cliffs, 700 meters deep, offering breathtaking views.

Holidays and lavender fairs:

- Lavender Festival in Saint André de Rosains, where they sell lavender oil and tinctures, perfumes, honey, soap, ice cream and even cakes. The festival takes place on the second weekend of August.

- Lavender Fair in Digne-les-Bains is the largest lavender fair in Provence. Here they sell all kinds of products from (or with the addition of) lavender, as well as the best dried fruits and candied fruits of France. Festive processions, accompanied by hundreds of musicians and dancers, pass through the city. In addition to lavender, Digne-les-Bains is known for its balneological baths, medieval churches and the only one in France Butterfly Park (Le Jardin des Papillons).

- Lavender Festival in Sault, which takes place on August 15, the day the lavender collection ends in Provence. Artisans and perfumers come to So, master classes in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics are held here, gastronomic specialties are sold, musicians play old Provencal melodies, and a book fair is held nearby.

The concentration of the picturesque views themselves, including tourist routes laid in the middle of fields, farms and colorful villages, is located mainly in the northern part of the province. Since ancient times, lilac fields, strewn with small neat houses and trees, have attracted photographers and artists from all over the world to these places, each of whom strives to capture the beauty of Provencal landscapes in their creations.

Lavender belongs to the mint, rosemary, basil, sage, marjoram, lemon balm, and other plants. There is an assumption that it originated in the Canary Islands or in the territory of Persia (modern Iran). Regardless of where the fragrant lilac flower got its start, during its existence it has managed to accumulate enough rich history. In the Middle Ages, the ancient Greek civilization referred to lavender as a "noble plant", and the Romans used it for washing and called it "lavandula". The name comes from the Latin word "lava", which translates as "wash". Later in Rome, they found a way to extract lavender oil and began to use it in perfumery and pharmacology.

Today, lavender is grown in the largest volumes in Provence. A few decades ago, harvesting and selling crops were exclusively female occupations, and men, as a rule, were engaged in other agricultural work. To create large flower plantations often had to resort to hiring workers. In 1952, with the advent of harvesting machines, the process of processing lavender fields was greatly facilitated, and until that moment, the entire crop was harvested by hand using a sickle. Today, "blue gold" is cultivated by many farmers, most of whom live exclusively by growing it, improving the quality and appearance of the plant.

In Provence, lavender symbolizes local history and beauty. Despite the rather high annual harvest, in their native lands they always find application in various fields. The plant is regularly used to create cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, and some restaurants even use it in the preparation of original dishes to add a special charm to the local cuisine. In such establishments, you can taste lavender by ordering lavender sorbet, cookies or honey.

Under natural conditions in the famous historical region of France, Provence, two types of lilac plants grow - lavandin and lavender. Lavandin grows in fields below 600 meters above sea level. It is generally intended for functional perfumery - the manufacture of soaps, creams and cleaning products. Lavender also grows at an altitude of more than 700-800 meters. It is mainly grown to create essential oils. The rich aroma and beneficial properties of lavender are highly valued by cosmetic manufacturers and perfumers.

The flowering time of lavender fields in Provence falls on mid-June-end of August. The best time to visit Provencal lavender is in July, when the flowering reaches its peak of splendor and beauty. Harvesting begins at the end of the second summer month.

In different regions, the flowering of a lilac plant occurs at different times. For example, in the vicinity natural park Luberon and the Rhone Valley, it blooms from mid-June to early August. In the communes of Drome-Provencal and Valensole, lavender blooms in early July. The fields of the Vaucluse department begin to smell sweet in mid-July.

The most picturesque lavender places in Provence include the Drôme-Provencal tourist region, the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse, cities and small villageswhich will delight tourists with their colorfulness not only during the lavender flowering season, but all year round. Often, next to the lilac fields, golden fields of wheat or sunflowers flaunt, giving the overall look even more picturesque.

Four kilometers from Gordes (Department of Vaucluse) is the ancient 12th-century abbey of Notre-Dame de Senanque, surrounded by bright lavender fields. The monks are engaged in growing lavender here, in addition, they maintain an apiary and make honey. The abbey shop offers lavender honey, dried lavender, soaps and lavender home fragrances. The picturesque plateau of Valensole, in Haute Provence, is famous for its endless flowering fields stretching to the horizon. In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the main lavender region in the southwest of the province, it is possible to go to any of the lavender farms and arrange a tour or a mini-lecture about the plant from the farmers. One of these farms, which has a good reputation and is open to tourists, is called Chateau du Bois and is located in Lagarde-d-Apt, which is 20 kilometers from Apt. This farm has been producing cosmetic products using lavender extract since 1890. The owners of Château-du-Bois, Sophie and Jacques Lansole, have organized the Lavender Museum on the territory of their farm, which is open almost all year round, except for January. Naturally, various products containing real Provencal lavender are offered here.

In addition to the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the lavender fields, guests of Provence have the chance to visit one of the many festivals that take place every summer in the region. The largest of them takes place in the village of So, in the department of Vaucluse, from August 15th. The population of the village is only 1200 inhabitants. In So, the cultivation of lavender and the production of all kinds of products from it is the main activity, so here it is especially revered. During the holiday, bright events, a fair, and competitions are organized on the territory of the settlement. At the festival, you can buy essential oils, lavender soap, bouquets, honey, bags of dried flowers and other products containing lavender.

You can enjoy the local attractions and the aromas of the flowering fields of Provence by bike, on foot or by car. It is most convenient to view the surrounding landscapes by car, since this way of transportation allows you to see the most secluded corners of the province. Designed for tourists a large number of routes that can be found on the Internet. When choosing to travel by bike, you should be prepared for steep ascents and descents. Fans of real adventures are offered a walk over the colorful fields of lavender in a hot air balloon. Such excursions are happy to organize for everyone in Forcalquier, department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. There are many tour operators in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence that organize day trips to visit the lavender fields and surrounding attractions. You can also see purple landscapes from buses that run along the routes Carpentras - So and Apt - So. For those who are interested in staying in the heart of the lavender country, they can stay in the hotels and resorts of Provence, which are replete with endless fields of the symbolic plant of France - lavender.