The Most Beautiful Lavender Fields In The Provence (Map Included)

I’m not kidding when I tell you, this trip to France has been years in the making! I’ve dreamed of visiting the lavender fields for so long. But every year something came up, not to forget I was also once cast aside from a girls trip to the Provence. I was supposed to go with a friend of mine that I had travelled with for nearly 2 months. But when she got the opportunity to join a group of French girls she pretty much jumped at the opportunity and never even included me on this change of plans. Needless to say, we are no longer friends :D.

But I’m derailing! You’ve come here to read about the most beautiful lavender fields in the Provence and that’s exactly what you’ll get! For our holiday I made it my mission to search as many unique lavender fields as possible. So not just the one everyone knows in Valensole! In this guide I’ve included a ton of other beautiful lavender fields in other regions of the Provence as well.

And to make everything even easier for you, every location is accompanied by photos and I’ve also included a map for you at the end of this article!

When is the best time to see the lavender fields in the Provence

The best time to see the lavender fields in Provence is from late June to early August. The peak bloom typically occurs in early to mid-July, when the fields are at their most vibrant and fragrant. The exact timing can vary slightly each year depending on weather conditions and the specific location within Provence.

The best time to see the lavender fields in Provence varies slightly by region due to differences in altitude and climate. For the most spectacular and consistent lavender blooms, aim to visit during the first two weeks of July.

Peak lavender bloom season per region in the Provence

Valensole Plateau

• Peak Bloom: Early to mid-July
• Details: This area is famous for its extensive lavender fields and picturesque landscapes. The fields here typically start blooming in late June, reaching their peak in the first half of July.

Luberon Valley

• Peak Bloom: Early to mid-July
• Details: The Luberon Valley, with its charming villages and rolling hills, sees its lavender fields bloom around early July. The bloom period here is similar to that of the Valensole Plateau.

Sault Plateau

• Peak Bloom: Mid-July to early August
• Details: Situated at a higher altitude, the Sault Plateau experiences a slightly later bloom. The fields begin to bloom in early July, with the peak typically occurring in mid to late July and sometimes extending into early August.

Drôme Provençale

• Peak Bloom: Early to mid-July
• Details: This region, located north of the more famous lavender areas, also has beautiful fields that bloom from late June to early July, peaking around the same time as those in Valensole and Luberon.

The most beautiful lavender fields in the Provence per region

Valensole Plateau

The Valensole Plateau, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of southern France, is renowned for its expansive and stunning lavender fields. The lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau typically reach their peak bloom in early to mid-July. This is when the fields are most vibrant and fragrant, offering a breathtaking sight.

There are several scenic routes through the Valensole Plateau that allow you to explore different lavender fields and enjoy the stunning views. I highly recommend doing this and not just sticking to the most famous one.

The village of Valensole hosts a Lavender Festival (Fête de la Lavande) in mid-July, celebrating the harvest with parades, music, markets, and demonstrations of traditional lavender distillation.

Luberon Valley

The Luberon region in Provence is another prime destination for viewing stunning lavender fields, offering a mix of picturesque landscapes and charming villages.

Some of the best spots to see lavender fields in the Luberon include the areas around the villages of Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, and Lacoste. The Abbey of Sénanque, near Gordes, is particularly famous for its picturesque lavender fields surrounding the historic abbey.

The combination of lavender fields, hilltop villages, and dramatic landscapes makes the Luberon an excellent location for photography. And this is something you don’t have in Valensole, those hilltop villages as a backdrop are simply chef’s kiss!

Personal favorite – The lavender field en route from Lacoste to Bonnieux and overlooking the hilltop village of Lacoste. it might not have been in full bloom yet but was absolutely magical.

Least favorite – The Sénanque Abbey was extremely crowded with even big tour busses stopping all the time. It took away a lot of the magic and the lavender fields are completely closed off.

Sault Plateau

The lavender fields in the Sault Plateau generally reach their peak bloom from mid-July to early August. Due to the higher altitude, the blooming season is slightly later than in other parts of Provence.

The areas around the village of Sault, as well as the nearby villages of Ferrassières and Aurel, are prime locations for viewing lavender fields. These spots offer excellent vantage points and are less crowded than some of the more famous lavender destinations.

Sault hosts an annual Lavender Festival (Fête de la Lavande) on August 15th, celebrating the lavender harvest with various events, including traditional music, dances, lavender-cutting demonstrations, and a market featuring local products.

Personal favorite – The lavender field in front of Simiane-la-Rotonde. Even that it wasn’t yet in full bloom it felt absolutely magical due to the mix of purple and bright yellow and the beautiful village in the background.

💡 TIP – Visit the Sault Plateau on a day trip from the Luberon region. We had so much fun driving around the smaller roads and discovering the real countryside. All of the villages here are still so authentic and are some of the most charming villages in the Provence.

Map of the most beautiful lavender fields in the Provence

🗺️ How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Tips for taking beautiful photos in the lavender fields in the Provence

Taking beautiful photos in the lavender fields of Provence can be a lot of fun! That is if you know what you’re doing!

Here are some tips to help you capture the best shots:

Golden Hour – Shoot during the golden hours—early morning (shortly after sunrise) and late afternoon (just before sunset). The soft, warm light during these times enhances the lavender’s color and adds a magical quality to your photos.

💡 TIP – I now know from firsthand experience that this is simply not possible for everyone. We took most of our photos in the lavender fields between 8am and 10am and this was already 4 hours after sunrise and the sun was already shining bright in the sky! If you must shoot at this time, consider using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors.

Leading Lines – Use the rows of lavender to create leading lines that draw the viewer’s eye into the photo. Positioning yourself at the end of a row looking down its length can create a strong sense of depth.

Background Elements – Look for interesting backgrounds like mountains, trees, or old buildings to complement the lavender fields.

Sharp Focus – Ensure that your main subject is in sharp focus. For landscape shots, use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) to keep the entire scene in focus.

Lens Choice: Wide-angle lenses are great for capturing the vastness of the fields, while zoom lenses are perfect for close-up shots of individual lavender blooms and creating a more dense effect of the lavender fields.

Tips for visiting the lavender fields in the Provence

Avoiding crowds – Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest times and to enjoy cooler temperatures. Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends.

Comfortable footwear – Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground, especially if you plan to explore the fields on foot.

Sun protection – Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong Provencal sun.

Leave no trace – Respect the fields by sticking to designated paths to avoid damaging the plants.

Respect the bees – The lavender fields are literally buzzing with bees! Don’t be alarmed, they won’t harm you if you leave them alone. The bees are essential for the lavender to grow and thrive so please don’t be one of those assholes who flies a drone close to the lavender fields. The noise will attract the bees and the propellers will actually create a bee massacre.

Where to stay when visiting the lavender fields in the Provence

You can easily explore the Sault Plateau and Valensole Plateau as part of a day trip from the Luberon region. That’s why I highly recommend basing yourself here. This is also here you’ll find a lot of the most charming villages in the Provence!

Below you can find my personal recommendations for hotels in the Luberon region.

Airelles Gordes – A luxurious hotel set in a 12th-century fortress, Airelles Gordes offers stunning views of the Luberon Valley. The hotel features elegant rooms, a spa, multiple swimming pools, and fine dining options.

Le Mas des Herbes Blanches – This five-star hotel is nestled in the heart of the Luberon and offers a tranquil retreat with beautifully decorated rooms and suites, a spa, and an outdoor pool. The hotel’s restaurant serves gourmet cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.

Domaine de Fontenille – This estate offers a luxurious escape with its beautiful park, vineyards, and art exhibitions. The hotel features elegant rooms, a gourmet restaurant, and a winery where guests can enjoy tastings.

🏨 WHERE WE STAYED – We stayed in a charming farmhouse called Mas du Bonheur in Eygalières. Especially with César it was an excellent option.

If you have any questions about how to visit the Provence or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

More information on the Provence

The Perfect Provence 1 Week Travel Itinerary

Eygalières Travel Guide – The Hidden Gem of The Provence

The Most Charming Villages In The Provence

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Charlotte

Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!

Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
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