Hi,
I am planning a trip to Provence in August and wonder if mid-August is too late to see lavender. I can also move our time in Provence to early August (meaning Provence first and Paris later) if that makes a difference. Does anyone know? Thanks.

Winnie

Have a look here:
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/mag/terroir/lavande.htm

We were there the last 2 weeks of June and the first week of July and it was at its glorious peak. In fact we watched the harvesters working the fields shortly before our departure. Wow - the aroma!

I was there in mid August and it was too late. Actually, I went from Paris to Arles on Aug 10...no lavender then. I don't if the season varies from year to year. It was in 2006.

The lavender in my garden (not far from Provence)has no flowers yet. We've had a long spring and many plants are later this year.

Peter

That's interesting mpprh, because the lavender in my garden, not far from Amsterdam is in full bloom and glorious right now, as it is most years. I would have expected it to be behind any lavender in the warmer climes of southern France.

Many of the lavadin fields in the valleys are now in full bloom, which is much earlier than normal around here.

Later on today I am going for a hike up in the high lavender country and will try to post back with an update...

-Kevin

The weather has not been good his year in some parts of southern France.

Since we are comparing bloom dates, the first of our lavender here on Nantucket Island, 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, is just blooming.

It is the English lavender. We have it interplanted with French lavender, which always blooms later.

To be fair, I shouldn't write "we" since my wife is the gardener and deserves all the credit!

So here's my update after a great hike this afternoon on the Albion Plateau....

Still a good three weeks away, I'd say for the full bloom - so figure first week in July (about a week earlier than last year).

Have never seen the fields looking so lush. Should be an excellent season.

-Kevin

p.s.: the wildflowers are gorgeous right now.

At the following site, click on the different lavender routes and it tells you when the lavender is supposed to bloom in the different areas. Of course, that doesn't take into account the weather.

http://www.routes-lavande.com/travelling/map.html

We just got back from Provence yesterday and the lavender was not really in bloom. We did see some gardens with blooms and along the odd roadway but the lavender fields were not.

We drove Stu Dudley's lavender route knowing that we were too early for lavender...and we were. We were all over the Luberon and Dentelles and perhaps another two weeks will make a big difference. It was starting to warm up so it won't be long now.

We were in Provence two years ago and on approximately June 26 drove Stu's lavendar route. The lavender was in full bloom and I have beautiful pictures of the abbey near Gordes - looks just like all the calendar pictures of it! Well, almost.

I have some photos on Kodak. I put the lavender photos in one folder. Does this work if I post a link to them or do I have to send invitations?

http://tinyurl.com/4c42qs

Rhonda, enjoyed your photos. I've loved lavender all my life.
Two books of interest:
Lavender, Fragrance of Provence
by Hans Silvester(he did a wonderful book on the cats of the greek isles)
Provence, by Bullay and Lomeo, this photography couple have done some of the best photos in the Lavender section and the cover of the book.

Thanks all for all the tips. Looks like earlier in August is a safer plan.

Cigalechanta: Where do you suggest we can purchase the books? I looked on Amazon but no luck. I would love a beautiful coffee table book on Provence. We leave for Provence this Friday!

mauigal, http://tinyurl.com/4glhnr
this is the Provence book

Bon Voyage

and here's LAVENDER, Fragrance of Provence.


http://tinyurl.com/45zwf2

Another book I like by Gerard Sioen(sp?)

PROVENCE 500 PHOTOS

Cigalechanta: Thank you! The second book looks really good - it's on my wish list!