Where and when does lavender bloom?
Just as the Netherlands is known for its tulip fields, Provence is world-famous for its blooming lavender fields. And although Provence has the reputation, you can also find lavender fields elsewhere in southern France. In Drôme lavender grows at least as abundantly as in Provence, and I have also come across lavender fields in Ardèche.
The flowering period of lavender is between mid-June and mid-August. The exact period varies per region and can also vary per year. You can find a convenient map with the average flowering period per area on the website Les Routes de la Lavande.
Map with photogenic lavender fields
When you drive through the interior of southern France during the lavender flowering season, you will automatically come across the lavender fields. You don’t have to put much effort into that. The bright purple colour makes lavender a beautiful sight in any landscape. It is even more fun to consciously look for lavender fields with something extra. A lavender field near a picturesque French village or in a mountainous landscape. I have strung a number of these places together to the lavender route on the map below, which can be driven as a relaxing day trip. The map also shows the most beautiful lavender fields I have come across on rides on other days – planned or by chance.
Lavender route
My trip through the lavender region was in the second half of June. That is when the lavender is just starting to bloom and the fields are not yet as overwhelmingly purple as they will be a few weeks later.
Notre-Dame de Sénanque
It is 10 o’clock in the morning and already bustling at the abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Not exactly what you would expect in this serene location deep in the interior of Luberon. Notre-Dame de Sénanque happens to be a tourist attraction. There is a touring car in the car park and the group of Asians who came with it are taking photos amidst the lavender. The walls around the abbey grounds are a blessing. As a result, you don’t see any of the crowds in the photos.
Falaise de la Madeleine
Near the village of Lioux lies a striking rock face, Falaise de la Madeleine. A rock wall is the best description, it is a long perpendicular wall without frills. It forms a beautiful backdrop for a lavender field, right next to a car park at the turn-off to the village.
La Maguette
A stroke of luck, just somewhere along the way between Lioux and Sault. The lavender field is draped over a hilltop with a magnificent view of Mont Ventoux. Along the road is a turn-off where you can park well.
Belvédère de Saint-Jean
Belvédère de Saint-Jean is so neatly laid out that you have to stop there. The viewpoint offers a wide panorama over the valley, with Mont Ventoux in the background. In the valley, directly in the foreground, are large lavender fields. These are still very green now, but will become a purple blanket in July.
Aurel
They were stunning pictures that I had seen on the Internet. A lavender field with the picturesque village of Aurel behind it. But the residents were probably fed up with the tourist crowds, because instead of lavender there is now a cornfield. Even without the lavender, it is still a pretty picture. I walk down a bit on the road next to the cornfield. It turns out there is a lavender field after all, with Aurel as the backdrop. Just a pity that a power cable disturbs the idyll somewhat.
Ferrassières
In the lavender fields northwest of Ferrasières are two bories. The round huts date back to the 18th century and were built of stones taken from the ground during land development. Sources are inconclusive on how the bories were used. They may have been rudimentary seasonal shelters for farm workers or shelters for shepherds in bad weather. Over the years they were probably used for both.
More lavender in Provence
Simiane-la-Rotonde
A village perched against a hill, with a lavender field in front of it. Whether it is the first or the tenth you drive past, it is always worth a photo stop.
Col de la Chaîne
In the distance lies the dragon’s back of Dentelles de Montmirail, which looks like a crowned mountain peak from this angle. In the valley lie vines and the village of Suzette. And as if that were not enough beauty, there is a lavender field right in front of my feet on the Col de la Chaîne.
Lavender in Drôme
Grignan
The lavender fields at Grignan are perhaps the most photographed in France. Grignan has the label of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, the most beautiful villages in France. The lavender fields are located right next to a large car park to visit Grignan, they cannot be overlooked.
Saou
In Saou I am overwhelmed by the wonderful lavender fields. And I am not even in Saou for the lavender. I am there to hike in the area with strikingly shaped limestone rock formations. Drape a lavender field here and there between these rocks and you understand that the landscape takes my breath away.
Sources
- Ferrassières: Wikipedia
- History of the bories: Le Village des Bories
- Grignan: Wikipedia
