Lavender fields of Provence!
Jan 24th, 2005, 01:01 PM
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Lavender fields of Provence!
A dream of mine is to see the beautiful fields of lavender in Provence! For some reason I believe this wonderful event happens in May. It's a pity that I can't go then as my husband teaches and cannot be away at that time. Has anyone experienced this extraordinary beauty?
Jan 24th, 2005, 01:26 PM
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Twice while in Provence, we visited the Abbaye de Senanque in the Luberon, near Gordes - alas, not while the lavendar was blooming. The lavender fields there are so spectacular that I asked when was the best time to see them in bloom. They indicated to come in late June or early July. The Abbaye is lovely and the fields must be wonderful in bloom. I would think that would be a great time for you to go.
Jan 24th, 2005, 01:34 PM
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We were there last summer in the middle of July, and the lavender was in full bloom. The scent was heavenly, and the Abbaye de Senanque is a photographer's dream when the lavender is blooming.
The sunflower fields are blooming at the same time, and are also gorgeous.
The sunflower fields are blooming at the same time, and are also gorgeous.
Jan 24th, 2005, 01:53 PM
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Jan 24th, 2005, 01:54 PM
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We visit Provence quite often - almost always in Lavender season. It's late June & July. However it can vary. In '03 they had a hot spring & early summer & the lavender was in bloom in mid June. In '04 they must have had a cool spring, because in mid June there was no blooming at all.
Here is my "Lavender Field Route" from my Provence itinerary:
Lavender Fields Route
The lavender will be in full bloom in late June and in July (before harvesting). This is a lovely drive. It’s off the beaten path. Allow ¾ of a day. We have taken several of our friends on this route & they have all said the same thing – “this is what I expected Provence to look like”. There’s no ugly commerce – just vineyards, lavender fields, perched non-touristy medieval villages, spectacular gorges, mountains, and a chateau. Even if you are not visiting during lavender season, this is a very pretty drive - try do it on a clear day.
This route starts at Les Imberts, which is a small village just south of Gordes. Go towards Gordes on the D2, but just before Gordes, take the road to Sault that turns to the right (I think it’s still the D2). This will take you just east of Gordes where you will see another nice view of Gordes. From the D2, take the D102 toward Lioux where the road passes Joucas and there are vineyards everywhere (and some very “exclusive” homes). Follow the signs to Lioux and get on the D60 just past Joucas. As you approach Lioux, you will see a large “sheared” rock formation to your right. You may have already seen this formation from several vantage points in the Luberon – it’s quite spectacular in the evening when it “glows” as the late day sun hits it. Don’t go to Loiux, but instead take the D60A which parallels the D60 (that goes through Loiux) – this will give you the best view of this rock formation. Once past Lioux, get on the D943 to Sault and follow the signs to Sault.
A few miles past Lioux, you will pass an interesting looking Chateau that still looks inhabited. A few miles past this Chateau, you will see some majestic lavender fields on both sides of the D943. We’ve managed to use up a couple of rolls of film here and also (discretely) clipped a few lavender stalks to throw on the floor of the car so that when we stepped on them, the lavender scent would be released and we would get the “smell” of Provence to go along with our viewing of Provence. Continue on the D943 toward Sault.
If you’re into perched villages and want to see my choice for perhaps the most “perfect” village, take a bypass to Simiane la Rotonde*. Just before reaching Sault on the D943, take the D245 (on the Michelin map) southeast towards St Christol. This D245 is actually marked as the D244 on the road signs, and on an IGN map I have, it’s marked as the D244 too – so I guess Michelin is wrong. There are more pretty lavender fields on this D244 (or D245). At St Christol, take the D18 to Simiane but do not drive into this perched village yet. Instead, bypass it and drive toward Carniol. You will pass some lavender fields in a valley just below Simiane, and then climb up on a bluff where you will get a spectacular view of Simiane with these lavender fields below – keep looking behind you toward Simiane to find this viewpoint. Now you can reverse the car & go back to Simiane for a visit.
As you approach Simiane, bear to the left and follow the signs to “la Rotonde”. This road may look like it is leaving Simiane, but it is actually getting you to the back of the town where there is a parking lot. Wander through Simiane. It’s a real pretty village. Try to find the small covered plaza with views back to where you viewed Simiane from the bluff. When we were there in ’99, there was a place to get lunch close by & they will serve you on this plaza, which formerly was a marketplace.
Return to Sault on the D244 (AKA D245) – the D30 is not scenic.
As you get into Sault*, look for a lavender shop on the right just before a bunch of roads converge – it’s painted a lavender color (naturally). They will be closed for lunch. One of the roads to the right just past this shop will take you to a parking lot. Explore Sault. There are a few cute shops & many outside spots to have lunch. The most scenic place for lunch is near a very large grassy area that overlooks the massive lavender fields in the valley below Sault (you will be driving through these fields next). There is usually a pizza truck parked nearby if you don’t want a “sit down” lunch and you just want to plop on a bench in this grassy area, admire the view, and munch on a slice of pizza.
Now, lets drive down and look at these lavender fields below Sault. Exit Sault on the D942 toward Aurel, and as you drive past the grassy area where you had the pizza with the views, look for a sign to Mt Ventoux and the D164. Once on the D164, the D164 will almost immediately take a very sharp left turn, but you will go straight on to a small road that is not numbered on your Michelin map. Look at the map & try to find this small road that parallels the D942. It is to the west of the D942. Once on this small unmarked road (parallel to the D942), follow it for about ½ K and then take a left (It will probably be the first left that looks like a drive-able road). Keep following this road, bearing right most of the time as it snakes around a little. About 1 ¼ K past where you turned left, a few roads will converge. Bear to the right (don’t go to les Crottes) and head uphill to where the road connects with the D942 just south of Aurel. You’ll see a lot of lavender on this drive. If you mark this route on your Michelin map, it will look like the “Big Dipper”
Take the D942 to Aurel and then toward Montbrun. Just past Aurel, you will leave the Department of the Valcluse and enter the Department of the Drome where the road quality will change and the D942 will suddenly become the D542.
Get the cameras ready as you drive to Montbrun*. As you approach the D72 just before Montbrun, look to your left for a good view of the village of Reilhanette. Continue on to the perched village of Montbrun. We’ve shot a lot of pictures of this village from down below. It’s not worth exploring “inside” this village, however, unless you need to stretch your legs.
You will now drive up onto a higher plateau where you will get some fantastic views of Montbrun, Mt Ventoux, the surrounding mountains, and to where the “true” lavender is grown.
From below Montbrun, take the D542 into Montbrun, but as you are heading up into the village, the road will split to the left into the center of Montbrun, and to the right out of the center – take the road to the right and try to find the road sign to Ferrassieres. You will turn right onto this road to Ferrassieres – it’s marked as the D189. It first passes some sort of vacation village, and as you follow the D189 up, and up, and up, you will get some great views of Montbrun and the mountains – including Mt Ventoux (imagine Lance Armstrong biking up this mountain & securing the TDF victory in ‘02).
Once up on the top of this plateau, you’ll find more lavender fields.
From Ferrassieres, take the D63 and then the D95 to Aurel, and then take the D942 back to Sault.
We’re leaving lavender country now & you’ll visit the Gorges de la Nesque**. From Sault, leave south on the road you traveled on before (toward St Cristol) and look for the street sign indicating a sharp right hand turn, and get on the D942 to Gorges de la Nesque. Stop at the several view points along the Gorge.
After the Gorge ends, take the D942 to just short of Mazan, then the D77 through Malemort and toward Venasque*. Explore Venasque if you have time.
Take the D4 southeast from Venasque. There are two options for returning to Gordes. Take the D177 where you will drive through another gorge and past Senanque Abby** OR take the D15 to Murs then Joucas where you will get a great view of the rock outcropping at Lioux. Both of these routes are very scenic.
Stu Dudley
Here is my "Lavender Field Route" from my Provence itinerary:
Lavender Fields Route
The lavender will be in full bloom in late June and in July (before harvesting). This is a lovely drive. It’s off the beaten path. Allow ¾ of a day. We have taken several of our friends on this route & they have all said the same thing – “this is what I expected Provence to look like”. There’s no ugly commerce – just vineyards, lavender fields, perched non-touristy medieval villages, spectacular gorges, mountains, and a chateau. Even if you are not visiting during lavender season, this is a very pretty drive - try do it on a clear day.
This route starts at Les Imberts, which is a small village just south of Gordes. Go towards Gordes on the D2, but just before Gordes, take the road to Sault that turns to the right (I think it’s still the D2). This will take you just east of Gordes where you will see another nice view of Gordes. From the D2, take the D102 toward Lioux where the road passes Joucas and there are vineyards everywhere (and some very “exclusive” homes). Follow the signs to Lioux and get on the D60 just past Joucas. As you approach Lioux, you will see a large “sheared” rock formation to your right. You may have already seen this formation from several vantage points in the Luberon – it’s quite spectacular in the evening when it “glows” as the late day sun hits it. Don’t go to Loiux, but instead take the D60A which parallels the D60 (that goes through Loiux) – this will give you the best view of this rock formation. Once past Lioux, get on the D943 to Sault and follow the signs to Sault.
A few miles past Lioux, you will pass an interesting looking Chateau that still looks inhabited. A few miles past this Chateau, you will see some majestic lavender fields on both sides of the D943. We’ve managed to use up a couple of rolls of film here and also (discretely) clipped a few lavender stalks to throw on the floor of the car so that when we stepped on them, the lavender scent would be released and we would get the “smell” of Provence to go along with our viewing of Provence. Continue on the D943 toward Sault.
If you’re into perched villages and want to see my choice for perhaps the most “perfect” village, take a bypass to Simiane la Rotonde*. Just before reaching Sault on the D943, take the D245 (on the Michelin map) southeast towards St Christol. This D245 is actually marked as the D244 on the road signs, and on an IGN map I have, it’s marked as the D244 too – so I guess Michelin is wrong. There are more pretty lavender fields on this D244 (or D245). At St Christol, take the D18 to Simiane but do not drive into this perched village yet. Instead, bypass it and drive toward Carniol. You will pass some lavender fields in a valley just below Simiane, and then climb up on a bluff where you will get a spectacular view of Simiane with these lavender fields below – keep looking behind you toward Simiane to find this viewpoint. Now you can reverse the car & go back to Simiane for a visit.
As you approach Simiane, bear to the left and follow the signs to “la Rotonde”. This road may look like it is leaving Simiane, but it is actually getting you to the back of the town where there is a parking lot. Wander through Simiane. It’s a real pretty village. Try to find the small covered plaza with views back to where you viewed Simiane from the bluff. When we were there in ’99, there was a place to get lunch close by & they will serve you on this plaza, which formerly was a marketplace.
Return to Sault on the D244 (AKA D245) – the D30 is not scenic.
As you get into Sault*, look for a lavender shop on the right just before a bunch of roads converge – it’s painted a lavender color (naturally). They will be closed for lunch. One of the roads to the right just past this shop will take you to a parking lot. Explore Sault. There are a few cute shops & many outside spots to have lunch. The most scenic place for lunch is near a very large grassy area that overlooks the massive lavender fields in the valley below Sault (you will be driving through these fields next). There is usually a pizza truck parked nearby if you don’t want a “sit down” lunch and you just want to plop on a bench in this grassy area, admire the view, and munch on a slice of pizza.
Now, lets drive down and look at these lavender fields below Sault. Exit Sault on the D942 toward Aurel, and as you drive past the grassy area where you had the pizza with the views, look for a sign to Mt Ventoux and the D164. Once on the D164, the D164 will almost immediately take a very sharp left turn, but you will go straight on to a small road that is not numbered on your Michelin map. Look at the map & try to find this small road that parallels the D942. It is to the west of the D942. Once on this small unmarked road (parallel to the D942), follow it for about ½ K and then take a left (It will probably be the first left that looks like a drive-able road). Keep following this road, bearing right most of the time as it snakes around a little. About 1 ¼ K past where you turned left, a few roads will converge. Bear to the right (don’t go to les Crottes) and head uphill to where the road connects with the D942 just south of Aurel. You’ll see a lot of lavender on this drive. If you mark this route on your Michelin map, it will look like the “Big Dipper”
Take the D942 to Aurel and then toward Montbrun. Just past Aurel, you will leave the Department of the Valcluse and enter the Department of the Drome where the road quality will change and the D942 will suddenly become the D542.
Get the cameras ready as you drive to Montbrun*. As you approach the D72 just before Montbrun, look to your left for a good view of the village of Reilhanette. Continue on to the perched village of Montbrun. We’ve shot a lot of pictures of this village from down below. It’s not worth exploring “inside” this village, however, unless you need to stretch your legs.
You will now drive up onto a higher plateau where you will get some fantastic views of Montbrun, Mt Ventoux, the surrounding mountains, and to where the “true” lavender is grown.
From below Montbrun, take the D542 into Montbrun, but as you are heading up into the village, the road will split to the left into the center of Montbrun, and to the right out of the center – take the road to the right and try to find the road sign to Ferrassieres. You will turn right onto this road to Ferrassieres – it’s marked as the D189. It first passes some sort of vacation village, and as you follow the D189 up, and up, and up, you will get some great views of Montbrun and the mountains – including Mt Ventoux (imagine Lance Armstrong biking up this mountain & securing the TDF victory in ‘02).
Once up on the top of this plateau, you’ll find more lavender fields.
From Ferrassieres, take the D63 and then the D95 to Aurel, and then take the D942 back to Sault.
We’re leaving lavender country now & you’ll visit the Gorges de la Nesque**. From Sault, leave south on the road you traveled on before (toward St Cristol) and look for the street sign indicating a sharp right hand turn, and get on the D942 to Gorges de la Nesque. Stop at the several view points along the Gorge.
After the Gorge ends, take the D942 to just short of Mazan, then the D77 through Malemort and toward Venasque*. Explore Venasque if you have time.
Take the D4 southeast from Venasque. There are two options for returning to Gordes. Take the D177 where you will drive through another gorge and past Senanque Abby** OR take the D15 to Murs then Joucas where you will get a great view of the rock outcropping at Lioux. Both of these routes are very scenic.
Stu Dudley
Jan 24th, 2005, 01:59 PM
#9
The harvesting starts in late July through early September and some years I saw some in mid September but the colors fade. True lavender is predominant in the Haute Alps. Around digne is grown the lavandin
also around Valensole. Lavandin is a hybrid. Firls can be found in Sault and Mt Ventoux area, Apt and Luberon area, Focalquier and Lue Mountain, Valensole and Verdon, The Digne area,
The Barronnies, Provençal Drome , and the Drome Valley and Die area.
also around Valensole. Lavandin is a hybrid. Firls can be found in Sault and Mt Ventoux area, Apt and Luberon area, Focalquier and Lue Mountain, Valensole and Verdon, The Digne area,
The Barronnies, Provençal Drome , and the Drome Valley and Die area.
Jan 24th, 2005, 02:06 PM
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Here's a link to some pictures we took last summer:
http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.js...p;sort_order=0
http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.js...p;sort_order=0
