Provence
 

We are spending a few days near Avignon second week of July, and want to see the lavender fields near Gordes and also Les Baux.. Any good hotel suggestions in Gordes that are reasonably priced? .

http://www.bastidedesoliviers-proven...sh/maison.html
here is one but if you google, you will find a wealth of places.

lee we are staying at the Le Mas Perréal B&B in early May.

http://www.masperreal.com/index.html

They have been very easy to deal with and come highly recommended. I think their rates are reasonable and the location work well for us.

DaveMM

We really liked La Ferme de la Huppe, an old farm lovingly transformed into a small inn. There's an excellent restaurant, too, and a pool. The inn is on a side road down the hill from Gordes, making it convenient for picking up the main road that runs through the Lubéron valley.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into those places to stay. I've heard that the lavender is in season, plan to drive around leisurely enjoy the area. We both like hiking, biking too. Any great spots not to be missed?

Hi,

The lavender is wonderful at the Abbaye de Sananque. It is near Gordes. In my memory there were sunflower fields everywhere.

Have a fabulous trip! Yipper

Dave, that's not near Gordes but I agree Kevin is a wonderful host.

on second thought, it's not that far away.
here's a virtual tour of the places in the Luberon.

http://www.vaucluse-visites-virtuell...uberon-us.html

" Any great spots not to be missed?" There's a million spots not to be missed but you will enjoy exploring those suggested and your own. For lavender, we've had good luck heading to Sault and the surrounding areas. You'll be there in what we also hope to be--prime time, as we are returning in hope of another glorious lavender season.

A suggestion, July gets hot--consider a place with a pool. I can honestly say that I have never appreciated a pool as much as in Provence in the summer. Its a nice bit of relief from the very bright and warm air and allows you to relax and enjoy the cigalles, heat and sun. Enjoy the lavender!

>>The lavender is wonderful at the Abbaye de Sananque<<

Not this past year. The field directly in front of the abbey was mostly weeds. The tour guide said that they were planting new lavender - but I didn't see any new lavender planted - just weeds. The fields elsewhere around the Abbey were covered in Lavender.

Head towards Saignon to see some lavender. The big fields are around Sault. This past year there was a very nice Lavender field directly south of Gordes on the D103. The "best" lavender field that we saw in '07, was not there in '10.

The sunflower fields in Provence have been disappearing - replaced by ugly wheat fields. There were lots of them north & west of St Remy 12 years ago - but most of them were gone on subsequent visits. Saw a majestic field west of St Remy in '07, but I think it was gone later. I don't recall ever seeing any significant sunflower fields in the Luberon.

Kevin's place has a very nice pool - and his B&B is surrounded by vineyards.

Stu Dudley

www.bonjourparis.com/story/if-you-love-lavender/

This website may be of some help.

The B&B's are soldout for july8-11 that were recommended. They looked so great.
Has anyone ever stayed at Le Clos du Buis? All they have left is a room on the ground floor and facing the street. (Bonnieux). 112eu is a good price but probably noisy. Rick Steve recommends Le Mas Du Loriot, but see only 2 reviews(both super positive reviews and in FRench). Can't find other reviews. It seems only rooms left are budget, semi-dingy, or luxury.
Rick also recommends Hotel Des Commandeurs great location of Joucas but sounds a bit worn,tho clean.
Would love to find something around 150$ that's available. Thanks for your help!

If your goal is to see lavender, I'd lean toward a Joucas location. I've not stayed at Cammandeurs but it looks to have the essentials and it is in a great location for scouting about and viewing lavender. You are going into the teeth of the season and I'm not surprised places are booked--its a great time of the year to be there. Markets are buzzing, produce,fruit, vegetables are ripe and the sun is shining. Joucas has access to all of that while sleepily lazing the season away. Good luck.