npinckard

I will only have a day and a half to visit lavender country and will be driving up from Cassis early on Saturday morning. I would like to find an inexpensive but decent B&B or hotel in a central location to many of the lavender sights. I will have a rental car and will be driving to Marseille airport on Sunday so I don't want to stay too far north. I've tentatively booked a B&B in Gordes about 5 miles from Senaque Abbey. Is there a lot to see from this area or is it better to stay somewhere else to get the most out of my short visit? My main interests are seeing lavender fields, possibly lavender museums, markets, quaint towns, etc.

jamikins

We enjoyed our stay in Bonnieux last July. There are several good restaurants there and it was easy to drive in and out. Gordes was too touristy for us.

You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57655199440738

The countryside was lovely, I am sure you will have a great time!

zoecat

When will you be there?

grandmere

Gordes has become very touristy (I say "has become" because we spent 10 days in a nearby gite 25 years ago when it was not so touristy; saw it again 2 years ago, and what a difference!)), but it's still a beautiful village and very near the Abbey of Senanque. If you've found a B&B you like near there, I'd just go with it and drive to the other villages, like Bonnieux, etc. They are not far away, and there is much to see in the area.

Lois2

That sounds like a good plan depending on when you are going

denisea

Jamikins...gorgeous photos as always! Now I want to go!!!

marie_md

Jamikins, the photos are beautiful.

Are all those photos taken in one village only? Including the lavender fields, sunflower fields.

We are thinking to do photography session as couple in June in Provence, and would love to have photos where there are lavender fields, vineyards, sunflower fields, mountain backdrop, and really beautiful Provencal architecture, shops and homes.

Do you have locations you recommend the most for these?

Thanks

npinckard

Thank you for your input! Forgot to mention I will be arriving late June. Hoping to capture some great views and scenery as I am very interested in photography. Any suggestions for great photography views would be appreciated! How far is Bonnieux from Gordes? I am renting a car and will be relying heavily on GPS to get around - hoping it is not too difficult to navigate there.

npinckard

I'm not very excited about the B&B I booked so I am open to suggestions if anyone stayed in one that they recommend in the area.

Thanks!

jamikins

Thanks everyone I want to go back!!!

The villages are named in Flickr, if it just says Provence then it was just on the road between villages. They were all take in the Luberon.

If you haven't already, look up Stu Dudley and get his Provence notes - he includes some lovely drives and hints on where to see the lavender.

It would also be a good idea to check with your hotel, as I believe the locations of the best fields change every year as they rotate planting the lavender.

Happy planning!

jamikins

Bonnieux is about 30 - 40 mins from Gordes. It is really easy to navigate the Luberon because you just follow the signs.

Hope this helps!

npinckard

Jamikins - your photos are amazing! Where were the pics of large rolling fields of lavender from? Trying to capture large expansive views of the fields like those.

thanks!

jamikins

Thanks npinkard

They were all taken in the Luberon valley. I believe they rotate crops some years so the best fields will change. I would ask at your hotel because they will be familiar.

To be honest, if you drive around the valley you are sure to hit some fields. There really are a lot!

If you drive over to Sault there were lots around there and along the valley floor below the town.

Hope this helps!

EYWandBTV

We stayed in Apt, about 45 minutes from Senanque, where you will find the iconic scene of rows of lavender with the splendid, simple romanesque abbey beyond. Apt is an ancient Roman town, not heavily visited. Also just a few miles from Gordes and about 30 min from Bonnieux.

We stayed at Le Couvent, a very fine B&B in a converted convent (of course).

Christina

That's a perfectly good location in terms of geography and being central to what you may want to see. If you don't like the place you booked, that's another thing, but the location is fine.

npinckard

Thanks everyone! Think I will stick with staying in Gordes as it seems to be a good central location to venture off from but may try to find a B&B I like better.