I think for B&Bs, 2008 is too early to book as they aren't hotels and Life happens. Unless thre is a strange weather season you should be ok for lavender.
Stu, your fans are waiting for photos and your trip report :)

I'm relieved we will see lavender blooming!

Britomart,
Possibly Hotel Les Romarins in Gordes. The view is wonderful. The particular room we had was nothing special but the price was right. Stayed there 4/05.

Looks good, but it's out of our price range.

We've decided to stay wherever they return e-mails.

>>Looks good, but it's out of our price range.

We've decided to stay wherever they return e-mails<<

If you're seeking a less expensive place, I wouldn't limit the possible choices. The small mom & pop B&Bs may not even have e-mail. Like I stated earlier, we get more response to FAXs than e-mail.

As others have stated, many hotels have not established their '08 rates yet. If you send an e-mail & if the hotel is not careful, your e-mail may age-off or get so burried that they don't notice it.

Stu Dudley

I tried booking a room in Paris for June 2008 at the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais and received an email back saying they don't take reservations for 2008 until January.

I haven't tried to make reservations at our place in Provence yet.

As far as I know, Americans are the only people obsessed with making reservations so far ahead of time, and since Americans represent only 6% of the visitors to France, most hoteliers probably just don't care for the hassle.

>>Americans are the only people obsessed with making reservations so far ahead <<

Hey - many of us only get two weeks vacation for the entire year. With only 2 weeks, we need to plan an A+ vacation, which means getting the exact hotel we want at the time we want it.

Stu Dudley

Not Americam but, boy, do I like to reserve ahead.
It would drive me crazy not get my first choice in accomodation, restos, flights, seats, etc. (and the best price!)
I though that had more to say about my OC nature than where I was born...

>>Not Americam <<

I though Canada was in North America - just like the USA.

Stu Dudley

"As far as I know, Americans are the only people obsessed with making reservations so far ahead of time, and since Americans represent only 6% of the visitors to France, most hoteliers probably just don't care for the hassle."

Apparently, 11 months in advance isn't early enough, since our first 3 choices for Paris, and our first 2 for Provence, are already booked.

We did get a reply from another place, but when I e-mailed and asked how to secure the reservation, I never got a response. That was a week ago. I don't want to seem like a "rude American," so I don't want to e-mail a second time. I think these places know that they will be full in the summer, so they don't make the effort to accommodate those who try to plan ahead. You'd think they'd welcome those who plan ahead; it has to be better than the barrage of e-mails they probably get in the Spring from those planning a few months in advance who are shocked that they're full.

This will be my in-laws' first and last trip to Europe. I'd like for it to be perfect. I don't think wanting a perfect vacation is an "American" characteristic, it's a characteristic of those who make a lot of sacrifices in order to travel, and who don't want their precious money to go to waste on less-than-perfect experiences.

>these places know that they will be full in the summer, so they don't make the effort to accommodate those who try to plan ahead>

If that was the case it would be just bad business. I think you should try calling or email again, if it's your No.1 choice.

June is the month of the North American visitors, so you're all probably in competition with each other.