Incognito

We are thinking about spending two-three weeks in Provence in 2006. When would be the best time to be in Provence in order to enjoy scent of lavender? The best small town/village to stay in? Thanks

yipper

Hi,
The lavender and the sun flowers were in their full glory when we were in Provence in the last week of June and first week of July. There are so many lovely towns to stay in, but it seems that most people on this site vote for St. Remy, which is indeed lovely. We rented a gite outside of Uzes and loved it. It is hard to go wrong. Have a fabulous trip.

Incognito

Thank you, yipper. You gave me great information to start planning

AR

I would have loved to have seen Abbaye de Senaque near Gordes in full glory. We visited in mid August last year and could only imagine what it would have been like.
The monks sold many lavender items such as soaps, candles, oils and dry lavender.
The abbey is also one of the classic photographed places and well worth a visit especially in the time Yipper describes.

Christina

I think that regardless of the weather in one year, you are pretty much guaranteed they'll be blooming if you plan for very end of June and first two weeks of July. I've been there twice at that time (including this year), and both lavender and sunflowers were in bllom, but I wouldn't say the sunflowers were at their peak anywhere -- I think they are a little later than lavender. I've read that in some years, depending on the weather the lavender can begin being harvested around the third week in July -- and then on into August, of course.

yipper

Yes, please go to the Abbaye de Senaque. That is where we saw the lavender and it is spectacular. There are fields of sun flowers along the country roads, on your right and your left; sun flowers and vineyards.