Your Guide to Visiting the Lavender Fields in Provence Including Some Hidden Gems Without the Crowds

Ever since reading the book A Year in Provence, I’ve wanted to visit this region in France. With its gorgeous scenery, endless purple fields, and beautiful light, it is no wonder artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Cézanne were inspired by it.

It might surprise you to know that lavender’s link to Provence stretches back to Roman times. The name comes from the Latin word “lavare,” hinting at its early role in cleansing rituals. Later, herbalists in monastic gardens and the growing perfume trade in Grasse put it on the world stage.

As you explore this region, you’ll see that the Provence lavender fields are more than just a seasonal bloom. Local harvests and festivals still echo traditions that have evolved over centuries. Keep reading to learn how these fields helped shape Provençal culture and why a visit during lavender season is an experience not to be missed.

The History of the Provence Lavender Fields

Lavender has been woven into the fabric of Provence for centuries. It started with the Romans, who used it to scent their baths and clothes, and continued into the Middle Ages, when it grew in monastery gardens alongside medicinal herbs.

By the 18th century, natural lavender fields had taken root around Sault, setting the scene for a boom in the early 20th century as Grasse’s perfumers began to rely on its essential oil.

There are three main varieties you’ll find in Provence. Fine lavender carries a strong scent with its single, delicate stem and lighter hue. Lavandin, a hardy hybrid of fine and aspic lavender, grows more abundantly and has a richer color, while aspic lavender has a cluster of five stems.

When lavender is in full bloom, it feels like summer has truly arrived in Provence. Drive past the fields, and the scent fills your car; at local markets and shops, you’ll find bunches of fresh and dried lavender sold everywhere you look. 

The purple rows against clear blue skies, framed by the Luberon Mountains and mixed with fields of wheat and sunflowers, create a scene that’s as genuine as it is unforgettable.

Where to Find the Lavender Route in Provence?

From the rugged Vercors to the sweeping Sainte-Victoire, from the wild Ardeche Gorges to the dramatic Verdon, the Lavender Routes span nearly 1,000km of unbeatable colors and scents. It’s an ode to Provence, a sensory adventure where you meet the passionate producers behind the little miracle they call “Blue Gold.” 

As Jean Giono put it, lavender is the very soul of Provence, pulsing with the rhythm of the seasons, ever-changing landscapes, and the smoking distilleries where magic is made every year.

The fields pretty much fall into four regions, and we’ll look at each of these individually in a minute, but for quick reference, here they are:

• Plateau de Valensole Lavender Fields (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department)
• Pays de Sault (Vaucluse department)
• Luberon Lavender Fields (Vaucluse department)
• Drôme Provençale (Drôme department)

I joined a full-day tour to ensure I didn’t miss a single beat of this unforgettable journey. I was staying in Aix-en-Provence, which is just fabulous, and the tour started from there. We got to spend some time at the famous Plateau of Valensole; it was breathtaking, and pictures just don’t do it justice.

We also visited the villages of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Sainte Croix du Verdon, and visited a local producer’s workshop, which was fascinating. 

Check rates & availability of the tour I did >>>

When to Visit The Lavender Fields of Provence, France

Lavender begins blooming around the middle of June, and it’s harvested around the end of July to the first two weeks in August. That’s when it’s busy, and there are tourists everywhere. If you prefer a quieter vibe, I’d suggest heading out in late June before the summer crowds hit. 

Early July is the busiest, as everyone wants to see the lavender in full glory, so accommodation costs are higher, tours are busier, and you’re fighting for photo space. I went in the 3rd week of June, and it wasn’t too busy, and although the lavender hadn’t quite reached its peak, it wasn’t a problem.

It really depends on where you are in Provence because geography and altitude make a difference. On the Valensole plateau, the blooming starts around mid-June and lasts for about a month.

In Sault, the burst of purple starts in July and carries on into August. And if you’re near Avignon, the Comtat Venaissin, or around Aix-en-Provence, early July is your best bet to catch the fields in full bloom.

MISTAKE TO AVOID: The French go on holiday in July and August, and it’s like a mass exodus, so I avoid traveling during those months. You’re dealing not only with the tourists but also with the French, and it can get crazy.

The Best Spots To See the Lavender Fields

Plateau de Valensole Lavender Fields (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)

If I had to pick one, I’d say Plateau de Valensole is the most famous place for seeing the lavender fields. It’s also probably the most picturesque spot for photos, too. But as it’s the most popular, it’s also the busiest, so you won’t be alone.

It was relatively unknown until it was featured on a Chinese TV show, and then, of course, it became a lavender hotspot, quickly rammed with tourists. I was staying in Aix-en-Provence when I went, and the Valensole fields weren’t far away, so it was an obvious choice for us to see, but it was the busiest of the spots we went to. It’s also not far from Marseille.

Because the plateau sits at an altitude of under 600 meters, you’ll only find lavandine here, but don’t let that put you off. When you get there, it’s as if you’re swimming in a sea of violet.

But that’s not all you’ll see. There are also the gorgeous, brilliant yellow sunflower fields. These two, combined with the slightly more subtle wheat fields, will have you snapping away.

I think I took at least fifty pictures when I was there. I just couldn’t get enough of it. You have to see it to believe it because words can’t describe how stunning it is.

Where to Stay in Valensole

• Le Jardin de Celina
• Château du Grand Jardin
• Les Terrasses de Valensole

Things To Do

• Musée de la Lavande (free entry)
• Valensole Lavender Festival 2025 (20 July 2025)
• Canoe – Kayak in the Gorges du Verdon
• Full-day Valensole lavender tour from Aix-en-Provence

Pays de Sault (Vaucluse)

Pays de Sault is the place to go if you want to escape the crowds. It’s much less touristy than the Valensole fields, even though it’s the capital of fine lavender. This was probably my favorite spot because, apart from anything else, it wasn’t as hot as the other places we visited, which are at a higher altitude (800-900 m).

Here you’ll find the bories, traditional stone huts that once served as barns, stables, or seasonal dwellings in the nineteenth century. They make for gorgeous photos, with the lavender fields and hilltop villages in the background. 

A good place to stay if you’re visiting is Avignon, but remember, there are several very picturesque villages near the Pays de Sault, such as Ferrasières and Aurel. They are worth a visit.

Where to Stay in Pays de Sault

• La Bastide des Bourguets (Adults only)
• Hostellerie du Val de Sault
• Château de la Gabelle (Ferrasières)

Things To Do

• Lavender Festival Ferrassières 2025 (6 July 2025)
• Lavender tour of Sault from Avignon

Luberon Lavender Fields (Vaucluse department)

If you’ve ever typed “best lavender fields Provence” into Google, you’ll likely have seen a picture of the famous Sénanque Abbey. It’s surrounded by stunningly gorgeous hilltop villages and some of the most beautiful lavender fields, known as “Avignon lavender fields.”

In this part of Vaucluse, you’ll find lavandine growing at altitudes between 350 and 700 meters. You’ll find one of the best views of the lavender fields from the top of the road from Gordes (the D177), with the Sénanque Abbey in the background.

It’s a popular spot, so the earlier you go, the better. My advice is to beat the heat and the crowds and try to get there by 8 am. Yes, I know it’s early, but you know what they say: the early bird catches the worm.

Avignon is the perfect base to explore these fields if you’re planning a lavender road trip.

Where to Stay in the Luberon

• Hotellerie Notre Dame des Lumières (Goult)
• Lou Amourie (Roussillon)
• Le Clos de la Glycine (Roussillon)

Things To Do

• Musée de la Lavande 
• Abbey of Sénanque
• Half-day lavender tour of Luberon from Avignon
• Avignon food and wine tour

Drôme Provençale (Drôme)

So technically, Drôme Provençale isn’t in Provence but in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. However, because of its proximity to Provence, it’s known as Drôme Provençale. But to be honest, you wouldn’t really know, as it looks exactly the same as the other lavender spots with all the fields and hilltop villages.

Now, the best places to head for would be Mévouillon, the capital of fine lavender, and the villages of Vinsobres, Nyons, and Grignan. But if you want something a little more off-the-beaten-track and away from the main roads, go to Diois. It’s at a higher altitude and much quieter.

Where to Stay in Drôme Provençale

• Le Clair de la Plume 
• La Ferme Chapouton
• Le Clos de la Tuilière

6 Top Lavender Fields Photography Tips

Capturing the magic of Provence’s lavender fields is all about timing and creativity. Here are some tips that have worked wonders for me:

1. Time it right
   Arrive early or stay late to catch the soft, golden light. I love being there before 8 am to avoid the crowds and make the most of the morning glow. But then, I’m an early bird.
2. Experiment with angles
   Don’t stick to one viewpoint. Try low-angle shots or include a sweeping view of the horizon to show the vastness of the fields.
3. Bring a tripod
   A tripod is essential for long exposures. It helps capture the scene’s calm, especially when the light is low.
4. Focus on details
   Zoom in on a single sprig of lavender or capture the delicate dewdrops on a bloom. These little details can bring out the soul of Provence.
5. Include context
   Mix wide shots with close-ups. Adding elements like hilltop villages or a rustic stone hut can give your photos a story that speaks of rural France.
6. Play with composition
   Use the rule of thirds to position your subject. It creates a balanced shot and draws the eye naturally through the landscape.