Alluring aromas: Experiencing the fragrant lavender fields of Provence

Few European places offer a more enchanting (or aromatic) photo backdrop than the Provence lavender fields. If you venture to this region just north of the Côte D'Azur in the summer, you're almost guaranteed to be greeted by lush blankets of purple-hued lavender.

Wandering around the region's eye-catching hills, it may seem like these beautiful blooms have been a part of the landscape for eternity. In fact, the Romans brought this fragrant flower to the South of France around 2000 years ago. Thanks to Provence's wonderfully balmy climate and perfect soil conditions, the plant thrived and became one of the key flowers used in Grasse's prestigious perfumes, along with sweet-smelling roses and aromatic jasmine.

Today, the lavender in Provence attracts people from around the globe with its intoxicating scent and effortlessly photogenic appearance. If you like the sound of soaking up these exquisite scenes, a lavender tour can be enjoyed as part of your villa getaway in Provence.

The Best Lavender Fields in Provence

Visiting the French lavender farms is a truly unmissable experience. You'll find them scattered around the region's charming countryside, with many nestled close to quaint medieval villages which seem frozen in time.

You can get up close to these blooms in dozens of places on a self-guided driving tour. You could also plan your trip to coincide with one of the Provence lavender festivals. These unique events allow you to delve deeper into the history of this extraordinary plant and even pick up some artisan goods made from its delightful petals.

The region is vast, so it's worth picking out a few specific spots to visit. From well-known locales to lesser-known gems, here we shine a light on a handful of places you can visit individually or as part of a lavender tour of Provence, France.

Visiting the Lavender Fields of Provence

Lavender season in Provence

The Provence French lavender season is relatively fleeting, lasting for just a few weeks in the summer. Book your Provence villa vacation between late June and early August for the best chance of seeing – and smelling – these fabulous flowers.

Most of thelavender farms in Provence begin harvesting by mid to late August, so you'll most likely have missed the boat if you plan a trip in September. Nevertheless, this is still a splendid month to visit: with fewer crowds and cooler, yet still balmy, weather this is the perfect time to relax and enjoy the local culture. You can spend a week leisurely hopping between picture-perfect villages featuring gourmet French restaurants and some of Europe's top vineyards.

Provence's lavender festivals

One of the most atmospheric ways to experience the lavender fields in Provence is to attend a festival. There are several of these to pick from, including the Valensole Lavender Festival.

Perhaps the largest in the region, Valensole Lavender Festival typically takes place on the third Sunday of July each year. Throughout the day, you'll have the chance to wander around the town's lavender and sunflower fields. The town's distilleries (where they turn the petals into oils) also open their doors to offer free tours and sell their sensational products.

Elsewhere, the town of Ferrassières, not far from the Luberon Plateau, hosts a lively festival in early July to celebrate the start of the Provence lavender season. Rather attend an event in August? The Sault Lavender Festival allows you to walk through the town's fields, meet the locals, and sample delicious culinary treats. For the full experience, you can even savour a gourmet lunch beneath the ancient oak trees in the Bois du Defends located on the edge of the lavender farms.

Buying lavender products

As well as fields upon fields of flowers, you'll find Provence awash with farms and specialist distilleries where you can buy all kinds of luxury, lavender-scented treats. From high-quality essential oils to infused soaps and even edible delicacies, plenty of divine products are on offer.

Some of the best Provence lavender farms with shops include the organic Distillerie des Agnels and La Ferme de Gerbaud near Sault. You'll find that many farms are also open all year round, meaning you could pick up some lovely local lavender products outside of the peak visiting season.

Lavender tours

To get to grips with the history of lavender growing in the region, it's worth attending a lavender tour. Many farms in Provence offer guided tours of their grounds, where you'll learn more about growing, harvesting and processing the blooms.

A particularly great spot for tours is the Museum of Lavender in Cabrières-d'Avignon. As well as housing exhibits on Provence's centuries-old farming history, they also offer tours of the surrounding farms and have a fantastic gift shop where you can buy lots of lavender-infused souvenirs.