Lavender in Provence
“Lavender is the soul of Provence”. So said the writer Jean Giono, who chose the purple-blue summer landscape of Provence as the setting for many of his quintessentially French novels. Each year between late June and early August, visitors and artists from all over Europe come to marvel at Lavender fields across the region. The floral displays reach their peak in July, although locals do advise that the best time to go is before the middle of the month because the area gets busy once the summer holidays begin.
For those wishing to practise their photography skills, the early mornings or late evenings are best for capturing those take-your-breath-away shots. Not only do you get a quieter and less crowded view, but the light is at its most spectacular at these times. Keep a look out for farms and fields which have traditional stone ‘boire’ set amongst the blooms, as this can add interest to your composition by including contrasting shapes and textures. One sight not to be missed is the Abbaye de Senanque near Gordes; the 12th century Abbey whose early Cistercian architecture blends effortlessly with the fields of purple and blue. The history and tradition behind many of these family-run farms make for fabulous photographic storytelling in combination with those striking landscape shots.
Exploring the region is easy to do in the car as well as by bicycle, with picturesque scenery framing the many fields and farms. It’s easy to forget that unlike some areas of natural, untouched beauty, these colours and scents are in fact created for industry – preserving the value of the Provence Lavender for generations to come.
As well as providing a relaxing addition to any bath time, Lavender as an essential oil has many medicinal properties and was even used in the first world war as an antiseptic. Today it can be used for soothing insect bites and burns and you’ll find it used in many natural remedy recipes. The ancient tradition of aromatherapy suggests that massaging the oil into the temples can be a natural cure for headaches, and placing the flowers on the pillow at night time can aid deep, uninterrupted sleep.
To learn more about the history and significance of Lavender farming, visit the Lincelé family at the Lavender Museum on the slopes of the Vaucluse Hills. Here, you can enjoy audio guides and family-friendly quizzes. You can also visit the distillery where traditional steam processes transform the harvested lavender into 100% essential oil products. There are also lavender festivals throughout the region in July; celebrating local traditions, food, folk music, arts and crafts, as well as showcasing the exceptional lavender products which include soaps and cosmetics, but also lavender honey and sorbet – definitely worth a taste!
Take a look at our Provence pages for nearby campsites and places to pitch within easy visiting distance of the Lavender fields, and please do show us your photographs and tell us stories of your adventures in this special region of France.
