Lavender in Provence and Why Everyone Is Talking About It
The lavender in Provence is on everyone’s lips and wherever I turn there is another stunning photo or article that has me sniffing my computer screen (that doesn’t work by the way) and committing to another trip down south of France at lavender time. If you, like me, love both lavender and Provence then keep reading.
For the very best information on the lavender fields in Provence I searched the internet and visited some of my favourite French websites to draw together this collection of articles. Each featured article is filled with essential information and dreamy photos on lavender in Provence.
After reading these articles you’ll understand why everyone is talking about it and probably want to visit Provence and tour the lavender fields yourself!
Lavender Facts
- Lavender is grown for its fresh flowers, stripped florets and its oil.
- Fresh flower bunches are used to decorate and once dry often hung to fragrant the home.
- The stripped florets of lavender are used in cooking, in making pot-pourri and in cosmetics.
- Lavender oil is used in perfumery, cosmetics, culinary products and in cleaning agents.
- Lavender oil is produced by steam distillation.
- Even though there are over 30 species of lavender, only 2 species are used for commercial oil production – Lavandin and Lavender. The other species are used for fresh and dried flowers.
- Lavender needs plenty of direct sunlight for at least 5 hours per day.
- Very good drainage, lots of air movement and regular autumn watering are all essentials for successful lavender growth.
Frenchly – Where to Visit Lavender in Provence This Summer
Frenchly, the premier site for Francophiles in the US, begins their article on Where To Visit Lavender in Provence This Summer with the following –
“Every year, the famous lavender fields of the South of France erupt into riots of color as mile-long caterpillars of lavande blooms trace paths through Provence from June into early August.”
Their gorgeous article continues on to explore seven of the best lavender fields and also the Museum of Lavender located in Coustellet. With all locations linked to a google map it’s a great resource for planning your own trip.
Farm Stay Planet – The Lavender Fields of Provence
Farm Stay Planet in its guide of Provence lavender fields has this to say about lavender and Provence –
“The words Provence & lavender have become so synonymous with each other over the decades that you can hardly mention one without the other: The dusky purple shades and delicate fragrances that decorate its fields every summer are now so emblematic of the region, and even of France itself, that the Provence lavender fields have very much become a tourist attraction in their own right.”
With information on where to visit the fields, when to go and where to stay The Lavender Fields of Provence: Where to Go, When to Go & Where to Stay is a great article filled with essential travel information on visiting the blooming lavender fields of France.
The Good Life France – Lavender Fields, Vineyards and Medieval Villages
The Good Life France is an authority on life in France and in their article on lavender in Provence Drome Rhone Alpes – Lavender Fields, Vineyards and Medieval Villages they extol the delights of Drôme –
“If you love the south of France and the romantic call of the lavender fields, a visit to the Drôme will reveal an unspoiled region that will truly delight.”
Read how The Good Life France share’s a different side of Provence, a side that is quieter with less tourists, unspoilt and immensely beautiful. With suggestions on where to watch the sun set, bike hire trails and cookery workshops this article will entice you to France.
Surfing The Planet – The Best Lavender Routes in Provence
The Best Lavender Routes in Provence article by Surfing the Planet has a detailed weekend getaway guide to visiting lavender fields if you only have two to three days to spare. They describe their experience –
“We found there all kinds of fields, smaller and larger ones, flat ones, fields in small hills and we found some really immense ones. In one of these we stopped to eat our baguette with camembert cheese, which seemed to get soaked in the aroma of lavender.”
With maps and recommendations the route from Maime to Réauville is clearly set out so you can easily follow it yourself.
So now you know why everyone is talking about the lavender in Provence and why there are always so many gorgeous photos floating around the internet of the fields in bloom.
To help you plan your trip to the lavender fields of Provence, these sites have loads of information: Provence Web – Tourist guide to Provence and the Rivieria; Aix en Provence Tourist Office – Tourism office; Aixploring Provence – Guided Walking Tours of Aix en Provence; and France – French Travel Website.
Enjoyed reading about Lavender in Provence? Pin to read again
