A Q for those who live in Provence...
 

Hi!

I'm thinking about finally getting to Provence during lavender/sunflower season. I'm looking up photo workshops there, and I found a really good one but it's in late June. (June 26-29).

I always thought the lavender and sunflowers were more of a July thing? Maybe even mid to late July? When did they come out this year, and historically? Or is it all completely weather dependent?

This photographer (Bryan Peterson) is amazing, but I'd prefer not to take a workshop specifically for one thing and have the flowers still in buds or something...

thanks!

Ps. this is near Lyon, and, the Valensole Plain.

We've witnessed the lavender at its peak the last week in June. We even watched it being harvested in some fields - oh, the aroma!

There were artists scattered about and we did some watercolors ourselves...

There's a painter who gives painting workshops in the Luberon. His schedule for this year reads

June 11-21--Lavender and Olive Groves
June 25-July 5--Lavender and Sunflowers
July 16-26--Lavender and Sunflowers

It's not completely weather dependent (it will be in bloom some time between June and Septe), but as with all plants, the exact timing each year is definitely weather dependent.

For what it's worth, the sunflowers were almost entirely gone as of August 1 in the Dordogne. We came across one field in bloom near Monpazier; all the rest were long gone. Can't speak to the lavender, but I think it blooms even earlier.

usually it is at the peak in July and the harvest starts in August, what is not gathered loses its color.
www.routes-lavande.com

flygirl, go to the travel map there are click on the different areas on the left and you'll see the blooming time differs in some areas
June is ok in some places, there are photo workshops at L'Hotel inles Images in St Remy.
www.hotelphoto.com

I believe the Lavender blooming was late this year because of a colder than normal spring & early summer. Last year, it was relly going strong in late June, and in previous years it was blooming as early as mid-June in '03 when it was unusually hot. The Valensole Plain seems to bloom sooner than lavender in the Luberon & around Sault.

Stu Dudley

I often wonder if the OPs who ask these questions ever read them or don't know if they post so early, they may not be any answers, so they should top their thread for a later group of fodorites. We hope they respond and let us know our input was not wasted.

The OP has a very active social calendar and is rarely online... :)

Thank you for the information everyone! I feel better about taking this class at that time now. I figure I can always extend an extra week beyond that, too.