When I did my second internship in Italy, one of my colleague had her desk surrounded by photos of lavender fields. She was fascinated by them and had some great childhood memories in Provence. Since that day, I have been wanting to see those fields with my own eyes and to smell the air filled with lavender scents. Being in Toulouse and having the opportunity to take two days off, last July, I decided to drive five hours to go see some of the most beautiful lavender fields of Provence.
First Day: Sénanque Abbey
This beautiful abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1148 and is famous for its lavender fields. A friend of mine had worked there as a guide, and I remembered how much she liked it. That and the fact that it was recommended as a great place to see lavender fields in Provence were the reasons why I selected it as my first destination.
It was indeed nice, but not as much as I would have thought, and most of the lavender fields were not open to the public. I still visited the abbey and liked it. They give you a tablet and you can learn about the history of the building and about the monks’ activities. The tablet shows you how it was at the beginning and by clicking on objects, you can read about their use. The shop is also good if you’re looking for gifts, some are cheaper than in touristic cities.
Second Day: Around Roussillon
On my way from Gordes to Roussillon, I saw some really nice lavender fields, with spaces to park safely. There, the fields are not the main attraction, and it was relaxing to stop whenever I felt like it.
By the way, I recommend visiting the village and the Sentier des Ocres.
Third Day: The Plateau De Valensole And Its Many Lavender Fields
On my third day, I drove to the Plateau de Valensole from Manosque, where I had my airbnb. All around Valensole, there are endless fields of purple, enough to leave you speechless. There are also a lot of tourists, of course. Which is why I recommend stopping for some fields, but also continuing to Puimoisson. Indeed, if the village is not extraordinary in itself, the road is less touristy: the fields are stunning and less crowded. There, you can take the time to take pictures, look at the magnificent colours, and smell the air charged with amazing perfumes (driving a car or a bike).
Be careful if you leave your car windows open while driving: there are a lot of bees and some inadvertently enter cars. One did in mine and got stuck in my hair, I had to stop at the next field, and free the poor insect!
To Sum It Up: Are Lavender Fields Overrated?
I do recommend seeing the lavender fields in Provence, I enjoyed them very much. They are impressive, smell incredible and are buzzing with busy bees. However, maybe, try to choose less touristy places. Also, be careful with the dates because the lavender harvests start in July!
To see more photos of France, you can visit the gallery France.
