Guide to visiting the Provence lavender fields in France

If you’re in the market for a blooming brilliant European vacation (pun entirely intended), consider visiting France, with its impossibly pretty Provence region being the lavender capital of the world. Serving a splendid blend of quaint villages and rolling vineyards — alongside the best lavender fields in the world — Provence is also known for its lavender-based food, including oils, honey and sorbets. Interest piqued? Dive into our guide to visiting the Provence lavender fields, which details the best places to see lavender fields in France, the best months to visit, and how to get to the lavender fields in Provence. As a bonus, we also share suggestions for the best places to stay, and tips for visiting the lavender fields in Provence.

Where is the best place to see lavender fields in France?

Before running through detail on the best places to see lavender in Provence, here’s a handy overview of top lavender locations in France.

Note they can all be accessed via a 1-2-hour drive from Nice, Marseilles, Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. So, you might opt to use one of these handy larger locations as your base for tours or scenic self-drive day trips around the Provence region. 

• Plateau de Valensole: often considered the best place to see lavender fields in France.
• Luberon: encompassing charming villages surrounded, this region is a dreamy summer vacation destination.
• Pays du Sault: oft-hailed the world's “Lavender Capital”, Pays du Sault boasts cooler higher-altitude fields, making it one of the best lavender fields in the world for later blooms.
• Drome Provencale: ranking among the best Provence lavender fields, the Drome Provencale region offers less crowded fields and lavender distilleries.
• Mont Ventoux: lavender fields with a backdrop of Provence’s highest mountain.
• Simiane-la-Rotonde: breath-taking lavender fields around a quaint medieval village.

Editor’s tip: to forgo the hassle of figuring out how to get to the best lavender fields in Provence — and handling booking your vacation — browse our customisable France itineraries, or talk to our local expert.

1. Plateau de Valensole — one of the best lavender fields in the world

Not only are the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau arguably the most famous and photographed of their kind in Provence, but they might just be the best lavender fields in the world.

Most famous is Valensole itself, situated above the plateau around the 11th-century St Blaise church.

One field definitely worth seeking out is Lavandes Angelvin — think uninterrupted views of lavender with seemingly perfectly placed trees. Chances are, you’ll recognise the view – this happens to be one of the most photographed spots in Provence. 

As a bonus, beyond the beauty of the fields, the area is a place of deep blue lakes and picturesque villages, among them Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.

While we cover the topic of timing in more detail below, when it comes to deciding when to visit the Valensole lavender fields, we recommend heading here from mid-June through to mid-July.

And the reasons? Peak bloom in this lower-altitude area happens in early July, with the Valensole Lavender Festival usually held on the third Sunday of July. 

How to get here

From Aix-en-Provence, drive north for 1.5 hours along the A51 motorway towards Manosque. 

Traveling from Marseille? Drive north for two hours on the A51 motorway towards Aix-en-Provence and Manosque.

From Avignon, drive south to Cavaillon on the A7 motorway, then take the D973 and D907 roads toward Valensole. The journey time is around two hours.

Alternatively, take a guided tour covering all the lavender fields in this area of Provence.

Want more France inspiration? Discover the best things to do in France. 

2. Luberon lavender fields

Boasting handsome hilltop villages and beautiful scenery at every turn, Provence’s Luberon Valley is the locals’ favorite. 

In short, if you’re seeking a dose of authentic Provence as a side to your floral experiences, then the Luberon Valley is the best place to see lavender fields in France.

With the lavender fields here less concentrated than they are in Valensole and Sault, the Luberon Valley is more about enjoying picturesque villages than lavender alone.

That’s not to say it’s any trickier to find the fields, or that they’re any less beautiful, though. Tucked between vineyards and olive groves, you’ll find plenty of Provence lavender fields during leisurely drives around the valley.

The Luberon Valley also makes a truly lovely base. For example, the gorgeous hilltop village of Gordes is a great option. Not only does it offer panoramic views of the Luberon Valley, but it’s also a  gateway to Senanque Abbey — a 12th-century monastery backed by endless rows of purple lavender.

Other highlights around the Luberon Valley include the pretty villages of Rustrel, Bonnieux and Roussillon, and Chateaux du Bois.

How to get here

From Aix-en-Provence, drive north via the D556 or A51 motorway, then follow the D943 and D943a roads to Bonnieux, Gordes, or Roussillon, or look out for signs for specific lavender sites, such as the Abbaye de Sénanque.

Traveling from Avignon? Take the D900 road east toward L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. After around an hour, look out for signs for villages and lavender sites. 

Meanwhile, from Marseille you need to drive 1.5–2 hours north along the A7 motorway to Cavaillon, then follow signs for Luberon villages.

3. Pays de Sault lavender fields

Sitting on a ridge between a thick forest and rolling valley, the village of Sault is sublimely scenic.

While its well-preserved medieval streets are a pleasure to stroll, approaching Sault is a spectacle in itself — the road leading up to the village offers views of a plateau packed with lavender.

As they’re more concentrated than the lavender fields of Valensole Plateau, you can easily explore these fields by foot or bike, and will never be far away from your next field.

In fact, a 5km lavender path runs through the finest fields — simply park at the public car park close to the Vallon des Lavandes distillery and set off.

As such, these are the loveliest lavender fields in France — and among the best lavender fields in the world — for travelers who want to mix stunning natural scenery with experiencing local culture at a leisurely pace.

A highlight around these parts is the field opposite La Bastide des Bourguets, where the backdrop of mountains and a charming stone hut will have you feeling like you've stepped back in time.

Alongside Sault, this area is blessed with a bounty of lovely villages to visit or stay in. For example, the spa village of Montbrun-les-Bains serves stunning views of Mont Ventoux and lavender fields.

The villages of Aurel and Ferrassières are also fabulously full of authentic Provençal charm

How to get here

The main village of Sault is 1-1.5 hour’s drive from Avignon — take the D901 north toward Carpentras and continue on the D942 before following signs for Sault along the D1.

From Aix-en-Provence, drive north on the A51 motorway to Manosque, then take the D4100 and D1 roads through Valensole and Montbrun-les-Bains to reach Sault. It’ll take up to two hours.

From Marseille, take the A7 motorway north to Cavaillon, then follow the D942 to Sault, with a total journey time of two hours.  

4. Drome Provencale lavender fields

Located in the northern part of the province, the Drome Provencale region also ranks among the best Provence lavender fields, with blooms bursting forth from mid-June through to early August.

Famous for its scenic routes — known as 'Routes de la Lavande' — visiting Drome Provencale will have you discovering some of the most beautiful Provence lavender fields and picturesque villages. Take your pick from strolling on foot or renting a bike.

The region also boasts a number of farms and distilleries, many of which are open to the public and offer insights into lavender growing, harvesting and lavender oil production.

In addition, towns and villages in the region host an array of festivals throughout the season, culminating in markets and parades that celebrate the lavender harvest. 

While in this area, be sure to visit Grignan. In addition to local lavender fields, the Renaissance Château de Grignan is a highlight.

Meanwhile, the village of Dieulefit is also famed for its pottery.

How to get here

From Avignon, drive 1.5 hours along the A7 motorway north toward Montélimar, exiting at Montélimar-Sud. Then follow the D540 road east toward Grignan, which is  a hub for lavender fields.

From Lyon, drive south on the A7 motorway to Montélimar. Exit at Montélimar-Sud and follow the D540 toward Grignan. This will take around two hour

5. Mont Ventoux lavender fields

Located in the Vaucluse area, and offering a quieter alternative to the Valensole Plateau, the Mont Ventoux lavender fields of Provence come with the bonus of having a backdrop of the province’s highest peak.

In addition to soaking up the scenery of rolling purple landscapes set against majestic Mount Ventoux, it’s a wonderful area to walk and cycle, and well-located to visit the villages of Sault and Bedoin.

How to get here

From Avignon, drive 1-1.5 hours (60 km) via the D938 and D974 roads toward Sault, which serves as the gateway to the Mont Ventoux lavender fields.

6. Simiane-la-Rotonde lavender fields

Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Simiane-la-Rotonde lavender fields come recommended for blending breathtaking views of lavender fields with the charm of the hilltop village of Simiane-la-Rotonde itself.

Impossibly quaint, with winding cobblestone streets and ancient stone houses, its medieval Rotonde fortress often hosts lavender exhibitions through the season. As such, it's a pretty place to linger for a few days.

While around these parts, the nearby village of Forcalquier is also well worth visiting for its market and artisanal offerings.

How to get here

Drive 1.5 hours from Aix-en-Provence along the A51 motorway, exiting at Manosque.

When is the best time to visit the lavender fields in France?

When does lavender bloom? When’s the best time to visit the Provence lavender fields in France? The answer to these key questions will determine when lavender lovers should book their trip to France. 

Put simply, given that lavender season in Provence isn't a year-round affair, you’ll need to plan when to go to France wisely.

Overall, the best time to visit Provence to see lavender in bloom is from the last week of June through to the beginning of August.

Though peak-bloom season usually hits in mid-July, this may vary from year to year, depending on rainfall. 

When considering what month is best to see lavender in France, it’s also worth bearing in mind that Provence’s lavender fields are often found next to sunny sunflower fields. Given that the latter are best viewed in July and August, you should visit in these months to enjoy the best of both worlds.

It’s also worth noting that the best lavender fields in the world are no secret, and attract large numbers of visitors during the blooming season.

If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, don’t fall into the trap of visiting in September.

While this is a lovely month to visit the region — crowds are smaller and the weather is cooler — all the lavender will have been harvested. In fact, visiting in late August is also cutting it a bit fine.

Rather, if you’d like to avoid the biggest crowds, your best bet is to visit in July before schools close for the summer vacation.

How do I get to the lavender fields in Provence?

Traveling from the US? Here’s how to get to the lavender fields in Provence. 

First up, book your big international flight to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) or Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) — these are the closest major airports to the lavender fields.

On arrival, you might want to rent a car to explore Provence at your own pace. For context, the Valensole Plateau is a mere 1.5-hour drive from Marseille, and around 2 hours from Nice.

If your home airport doesn’t run routes to these airports, simply fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). From here, you can connect to Provence via a domestic flight to Nice or Marseille.

Alternatively, take a high-speed train (TGV) from Paris — you’ll reach Aix-en-Provence or Avignon in around three hours. 

Both these destinations are a great base from which to take tours to Provence’s best lavender fields, or else to embark on day-trip adventures, or start your village-hop around the region.

For wider context, read up on how to get to France.

Best places to stay to see lavender fields in France

As mentioned above, you could make Nice, Marseilles, Aix-en-Provence or Avignon your base if you’re visiting Provence for the lavender fields.

All these locations are stacked with a variety of accommodation, and offer the convenience of lavender tours that’ll take you to see the top fields.

Self-driving? You can easily explore the best lavender fields on day trips from these locations.

Alternatively, look to book accommodation deeper in the Provence countryside —  in villages located closer to some of the best fields (as highlighted above) or else check out some splendid rural chateaux options, as highlighted a little later. 

Wherever you decide to stay, note that as in the rest of France, hotels in Provence are graded from zero to five stars, with prices more or less corresponding to the number of stars. 

That said, the system is a little haphazard, often relating more to ratios of bathrooms per guest than genuine quality. In fact, ungraded and single-star hotels are often very good.

It’s also worth noting that many family-run hotels close for two or three weeks a year in the low season. In smaller towns and villages they may also shut up shop for one or two nights a week, usually Sunday or Monday.  

Having covered those provisos, here are some of our recommended best places to stay in Provence if you’re visiting France to see the best lavender fields.

For Plateau de Valensole lavender fields: Château du Grand Jardin

For Luberon lavender fields: Le Vieux Portail

For Pays de Sault lavender fields: Le Mas des Lavandes

For Drome Provencale lavender fields: La Roseraie-Drôme

Love the great outdoors? Discover some of the best campsites in France.

Tips for visiting the lavender fields in Provence

Tempted to visit the best lavender fields in the world? Make the most of your trip by arming yourself with our top tips.  

What months are the lavender fields in Provence?

While we covered this above, it’s worth repeating — timing is everything when it comes to visiting France to see the best lavender fields in the world.

Mid-June to early August is ideal, with lower-altitude fields blooming earlier than higher-altitude areas.

What is the most famous lavender field in Provence?

Presenting an impossibly pretty picture of seemingly endless rows of fragrant lavender — often sitting adjacent to yellow sunflowers and golden wheat — it’s clear why the Valensole Plateau is the most famous lavender field in Provence.

Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, the fields around these parts peak in early to mid-July.

Coinciding with that, the annual Valensole Lavender Festival — held on the third Sunday of July — celebrates the region's lavender heritage and harvest. Expect lively events with music and folkloric performances, plus plenty of opportunities to purchase local lavender products. 

What city in France is famous for lavender?

While Valensole Plateau is the most famous lavender field in Provence, the Pays du Sault area is often referred to as the world's “Lavender Capital”, with the village of Sault at the heart of the six villages that make up the Pays du Sault.

Though hardly a city, Sault is a wonderful place to visit during your trip to Provence — on arrival, you’ll be in no doubt as to why it was given its Lavender Capital moniker.

Scenically sited on a rocky outcrop, Sault’s old town is loaded with lovely stone houses and historic sights, among them the Romanesque Notre-Dame-de-la-Tour Church.

Editor’s tip: as a result of its cooler higher-altitude fields, Pays du Sault is one of the best lavender fields in Provence for later blooms, with its annual lavender festival usually held in mid-August.

Be mindful of the environment

Always stay on designated walking paths, never trample on plants, be aware of signs relating to private property, and follow any signs or instructions issued by local farmers.

In addition, resist the temptation to pick lavender flowers as a memento. This disturbs the natural beauty of the fields and interferes with growth.

You should also be aware that fragrant lavender fields are a haven for bees. Although they’re usually not aggressive, keep a safe distance from them, and try not to brush them off.

Watch the weather 

Given that lavender season runs through the hottest, sunniest time of the year, you should take necessary sun protection measures i.e. wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. 

Dig deeper into local lavender culture

Be sure to visit local markets and distilleries to purchase lavender essential oils, soaps, and souvenirs.

Also keep an eye out for local lavender festivals.

Take guided tours

Related to the topic of digging deeper, for expert insights into the region's lavender culture — and convenient access to the best lavender fields in France — consider booking a guided tour from the likes of Aix-en-Provence or Avignon in Western Provence.

Doing this means you won’t have to arrange your own transport and plan how to get around the fields.

On the subject of planning, if you like the idea of having someone else come up with your ideal France itineraries, enlist the help of our local travel experts to curate your perfect trip.

For example, if you fancy enjoying a picturesque vacation in France, our 7-day Southern France itinerary might just have your name all over it.