Provence 2014 for Lavender
May 26th, 2013, 04:03 AM
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Provence 2014 for Lavender
Where should we base ourselves to,view and explore Lavender fields in Provence in 2014, we will have a car and are thinking about a max of 10 days in PRovence
May 26th, 2013, 04:32 AM
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When is as important as where. We stayed in St. Remy the last week of June several years ago and saw lots of lavender from there. Perhaps the most spectacular can be seen at the Abbaye de Senanque near Gordes.
May 26th, 2013, 04:48 AM
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We liked staying in a smaller, a bit less trafficked village so we stayed in St. Saturnin les Apt. It is perfectly situated to do day trip in all direction to all of the more well know cities and villages in all directions.
There are lots of areas that have massive lavender fields besides the Abbaye, which is the most well known.
We have stayed twice here - http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/
They have FULLY equipped (many have only the basics, these were A-Z in all you needed ) gites, houses and even a chambre d'hote (a B&B type room). The owners are lovely couple from England. Tell David I sent you!
There are lots of areas that have massive lavender fields besides the Abbaye, which is the most well known.
We have stayed twice here - http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/
They have FULLY equipped (many have only the basics, these were A-Z in all you needed ) gites, houses and even a chambre d'hote (a B&B type room). The owners are lovely couple from England. Tell David I sent you!
May 26th, 2013, 04:49 AM
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My almost finished TR - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ugh-france.cfm
May 26th, 2013, 06:22 AM
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We've spent 18 weeks vacationing in Provence, and I don't recall seeing any lavender fields within 1 hour of St Remy. There are many fields/patches in the Luberon - especially near Saignon & Bonnieux. The massive lavender fields are around Sault - but I would not base in Sault.
Some lavender fields com & go - being replaced by whatever crop is being subsidized at the time. There seems to be more non-scenic wheat fields now (and fewer lavender fields & sunflower fields) than there were 12 years ago.
Stu Dudley
Some lavender fields com & go - being replaced by whatever crop is being subsidized at the time. There seems to be more non-scenic wheat fields now (and fewer lavender fields & sunflower fields) than there were 12 years ago.
Stu Dudley
May 26th, 2013, 04:01 PM
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We stay in Gites - so my "first hand" hotel recommendations are old.
I would stay close to Gordes. There are lots of hotels on the Route de Senanque (that's the name of the road). In about '95 we stayed at the Domaine de L'Enclos
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Provence.html
It's close to Senanque Abbey (which is in a gorge, so unless you are serious hikers you won't want to walk to the Abbey) and a 15-20 min walk into Gordes. I like staying in/close to Gordes so you can visit Gordes in the early AM or late afternoon when the hordes of day-trippers are not there. Same with visiting Senanque Abbey - which is best viewed in the AM.
La Mas des Romarins is also on the Route de Senanque. Friends stayed there recently & liked it.
www.masromarins.com
Les Bories has a Michelin 1 star restaurant
www.hotellesbories.com
We'll be in a gite in Goult about 2-3 weeks before you arrive.
Early July is better than late July because of the crowds.
Stu Dudley
I would stay close to Gordes. There are lots of hotels on the Route de Senanque (that's the name of the road). In about '95 we stayed at the Domaine de L'Enclos
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Provence.html
It's close to Senanque Abbey (which is in a gorge, so unless you are serious hikers you won't want to walk to the Abbey) and a 15-20 min walk into Gordes. I like staying in/close to Gordes so you can visit Gordes in the early AM or late afternoon when the hordes of day-trippers are not there. Same with visiting Senanque Abbey - which is best viewed in the AM.
La Mas des Romarins is also on the Route de Senanque. Friends stayed there recently & liked it.
www.masromarins.com
Les Bories has a Michelin 1 star restaurant
www.hotellesbories.com
We'll be in a gite in Goult about 2-3 weeks before you arrive.
Early July is better than late July because of the crowds.
Stu Dudley
May 26th, 2013, 04:35 PM
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>>It gets very hot in Provence in summer, a pool would be high on my list of priorities.<<
Yep !!!
On one of our many two-week stays in the Provence, there was a major heatwave - in June. Mid-day we either drove around in the air-conditioned car or jumped in & out of the pool at our gite.
janpeter. Do you have my 27 page Provence & Cote d'Azur itinerary that I've sent to over 3,000 people on Fodors? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.
Stu Dudley
Yep !!!
On one of our many two-week stays in the Provence, there was a major heatwave - in June. Mid-day we either drove around in the air-conditioned car or jumped in & out of the pool at our gite.
janpeter. Do you have my 27 page Provence & Cote d'Azur itinerary that I've sent to over 3,000 people on Fodors? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.
Stu Dudley
Apr 4th, 2014, 08:03 AM
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Luberon, or near Sault. Not St Remy.
You'll need a car, or find a specialized lavender tour. If you have a car, you can travel on your schedule - not theirs. I once saw a driver on a small tour honking at a woman who was out in the lavender field still taking pictures when the driver had to depart.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
You'll need a car, or find a specialized lavender tour. If you have a car, you can travel on your schedule - not theirs. I once saw a driver on a small tour honking at a woman who was out in the lavender field still taking pictures when the driver had to depart.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Apr 4th, 2014, 08:12 AM
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Although I would like to see the lavender fields I don't want to be constrained from enjoying the rest of Provence.
I understand that St. Remy is farther away from the fields. Would you recommend Aix instead? Will we need a car in Aix to see the rest of Provence?
After Provence we plan to go to Beaune (most likely)Burgundy so would like to choose a place in Provence thatwill be a nice compliment/contrast to our stay. I think we might stay in Beaune.
I understand that St. Remy is farther away from the fields. Would you recommend Aix instead? Will we need a car in Aix to see the rest of Provence?
After Provence we plan to go to Beaune (most likely)Burgundy so would like to choose a place in Provence thatwill be a nice compliment/contrast to our stay. I think we might stay in Beaune.
Apr 4th, 2014, 08:19 AM
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You have to have a car to get around and really see the different villages. If you want to see The villages in The Luberon region of Provence ( have you looked at a map of Provence - it is quite extensive) where there are so many fields, Aix isn't the best location, it adds quite a distance to the trip and going back and forth over that route is a bit much to do on a daily basis. Please see my post above for recommendation on where to stay which will place you in a great area to do several easier drives to see the fields.
Apr 4th, 2014, 08:38 AM
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There is lots of info online about where lavender is, you can see for yourself. I've never felt constrained by seeing what I wanted in Provence based on where I stay, these places aren't that far apart (I agree Aix is not the best location due to where it is nor St Remy, I only stay in-between Bonnieux and Carpentras, basically). There is also lavender up in the Drome, as I recall, I remember seeing fields when driving around Grignan and Nyons. I like that area a lot better than around St Remy, anyway.
Here's info on the lavender route and a map http://www.beyond.fr/themes/lavender...-provence.html
Here's info on the lavender route and a map http://www.beyond.fr/themes/lavender...-provence.html
Apr 4th, 2014, 09:55 AM
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Thank you. I will stay in Luberon for the lavender fields. Which place do you recommend in Luberon? We would like the option to restraunts at night. I have heard that Gourdes is very small and I don't want to drive to restraunts at night.
Also - with 4-5 days to spend in Provence would you recommend we split 2 nights with another spot in Provence like St. Remy or keep one place as our base?
Also - with 4-5 days to spend in Provence would you recommend we split 2 nights with another spot in Provence like St. Remy or keep one place as our base?
Apr 4th, 2014, 10:46 AM
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l'Isle sur la Sorgue would be your best bed for many restaurants you can walk to, and also be in an interesting village with shops, cafes, etc. Of course, they are famous for their Sunday morning farmers, craft, and antique market.
Good location too for visiting other sites in Provence. I would stay there if you only have 4-5 nights.
Stu Dudley
Good location too for visiting other sites in Provence. I would stay there if you only have 4-5 nights.
Stu Dudley
Apr 8th, 2014, 10:19 AM
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Many B&Bs and rentals do not have air conditioning. We will be in Nice June 27th to July 1st and l'Isle sur la Sorgue July 2nd to July 6th. Is air conditioning required?
Some owners are saying that air conditioning is not required because of thick walls but I needed an unbiased opinion.
We live in New York and need air conditioning during our summers. Thank you.
Some owners are saying that air conditioning is not required because of thick walls but I needed an unbiased opinion.
We live in New York and need air conditioning during our summers. Thank you.
