hi, we are planning a trip to provence. when is the best time of year to go maximizing the beauty while minimizing crowds and heat. may? mid-jun? mid-sep? early oct?

thank you!
kari

hello,best time for provence, is,late
May, plenty of flowers and scents.
good sunny days, not busy

June very similar, but getting busy

September, great, fruit and flowers ,plus plenty of grapes!!

Provence is our of our "regular" places. We've vacationed there for over 12 weeks within the last couple of years. Been there in May, June, July, Sept, & Oct.

By far (IMHO), the best time to be there is in late June & early July when the lavender is in full bloom and so are the sunflowers.

Stu Dudley

I visited Provence with my husband in late September/early October and really enjoyed it. The weather was mild enough to wear short sleeves and very comfortable for hill walks (lots of hills in Provence!). Not many crowds anywhere so driving and sightseeing was a piece of cake. The airfare in the fall is very good, too. Plenty of flowers still in bloom then, even with the lavender and sunflowers being done.

we like both may and september, but may has all those holidays to work around.

Stu (or anyone else who knows) -

What have you found the temperature to be in early July? We're thinking about a small B&B place in the Luberon (Roussillon, Gordes, Bonnieux, St. Saturin) for the first week of the month

I notice that just about every lodging has a swimming pool, which would be nice, and many places have AC in the bedrooms.

>>Stu (or anyone else who knows) -

What have you found the temperature to be in early July? <<

Varied. In '03 they had a big heatwave in mid/late June, but it colled by the last week in June & first week of July. Same for '02. In 04, it was much cooler in late June than the previous week. I've only been there once in mid July and it was fine. Our Gite did not have air conditioning & it was comfortable inside.

Stu Dudley

thanks everyone! from your replies, i guess there really isn't a bad time to go from the options i listed. i'd love to see the lavender and sunflowers but hate the heat. so that is one concern. i guess you never know from year to year if it will be hot or not.

thanks!
kari

I like late August through mid September, will go that time again this year; the weather is wonderful, all the restaurants still open after the majority of travellers have left. But, for the first time, I would go in July to see the magnificent fields of lavender in Haute Provence and the sunflowers...thinking about it, I can smell the garrigue with all the wild herbs scenting the air.

i've only been once, but i'd avoid august. hot, miserable, and crowded.
it must be beautiful in the spring or fall.