Blooming lavender fields are as impressive and world-famous a brand of the south of France as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris or the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel is for Normandy.

Pastoral pictures of Provence with its bright, neat houses standing in the middle of a lilac field have long attracted painters and photographers, each of whom, to the best of his ability, tried to capture the beauty of these places on canvas or film.

If your travel route passes through the south of France, or you are deliberately planning to travel around Provence in the summer, do not forget to include lavender fields in your route. This is an extraordinary sight, especially at sunrise or sunset. To do this, you will need to know when and where exactly to go, so as not to wander aimlessly in search of the most beautiful fields.

Lavender flowering time in Provence – from mid-June to late August, it reaches its greatest lushness and beauty at the end of July, although this depends on the variety of lavender, climate, weather and latitude in which it grows. Available in Provence and Lavender Festival, which usually falls on August 15 and takes place in the small village of Sault in the Vaucluse department. Seau is located 50 kilometers from Avignon, at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level, and is inhabited by only 1,200 inhabitants. The inhabitants of So live by agriculture, primarily by growing lavender and preparing various products from it, so it is given special importance in the village. During the lovely village Lavender Festival, colorful events, competitions, a fair selling lavender products, etc. are held. The upcoming program (in French).

Some general information about these plants:

In Provence, in natural conditions you can see two varieties of plants: lavender And lavandin. Lavender itself grows at an altitude of more than 700-800 meters, that is, on hills, mountain plateaus, etc. Lavender is the main component in the creation of perfumes and cosmetics; essential oils are mainly made with the addition of lavender. Lavandin is another species that grows in fields located below 600 meters above sea level. Lavandin is also used for the needs of the perfume and cosmetics industry, but mainly for cheaper types of products - creams, soaps and others.

Lavender has been used by humans since ancient times; in particular, clear references to this plant have been found since the times of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, often in the Middle Ages. But the use of lavender reached its greatest flourishing in the 20th century with the development of perfume production near Provence, on the Cote d'Azur in Grasse. “Blue gold,” as lavender is called here, is today cultivated by farmers, many of whom live exclusively from its cultivation, caring for the improvement of the species and its quality.

I will list some “lavender places” in Provence:

In the vicinity of Gordes, four kilometers northwest of it, there is the medieval Abbey of Notre-Dame de Senanque from the 12th century. Around the abbey there are picturesque lavender fields where the monks work. Here you can also purchase products and souvenirs made from lavender or with lavender symbols. The Abbey is depicted on many postcards.

The Valensole plateau is located in Haute Provence. On this huge plateau, covered with lavender to the very horizon, you can get lost for a long time, inhaling the unique smells. To get there, for example, from Aix-en-Provence, you need to go in the direction of Manosque, and then turn to the village of Valensole, which is surrounded by the fields of the plateau of the same name.

In the Alpes Haute Provence department, this main lavender region, you can also go to some lavender farm, where you can arrange a tour or at least a short story from the farmers about this plant. It has a reputation as an excellent farm open to tourists. Chateau du Bois in Lagarde-d-Apt, which is 20 kilometers from Apt. Chateau du Bois is the oldest (since 1890) production of cosmetic products with lavender. Its owners, Jacques and Sophie Lansolet, also organized a small Lavender Museum, which one . The museum is open almost all year round, with the exception of January. You can take an audio guide there, including in Russian. Is it worth mentioning that here you can buy a variety of products made from real Provençal lavender. Check out the lavender honey!

There are quite a few “lavender routes” in Provence, and they have long been classified for tourists on the website http://www.moveyouralps.com/fr

The site is in French, but when you open the “Lavender Routes” section on the main page, you can switch to the English version. When planning your trip, language is not that important: everything is detailed and intuitive, there are maps. When you click on each of the six main routes, its first and last points, the length and travel time by different transport (car, motorcycle, bicycle) are shown; the most interesting sights are marked with special signs with stars. Each of the long routes is divided into segments, and you can choose any one that is closest to your planned route through Provence to stop by to admire the lavender for a couple of hours. .

Due to climate change towards warming, lavender begins to bloom earlier in France from year to year, and many farmers by the beginning of July mow and collect plants that have begun to dry out under the scorching sun. This does not mean that, for example, by August you will not find flowering fields anywhere, but it is worth keeping in mind that due to the weather, lush lavender may not be in bloom everywhere.

Those who vacation on the Cote d'Azur are usually interested in the lavender fields closest to the coast and major cities (Nice, Cannam, etc.). For this you should go to the mountains on the route Castellane - Grasse, between which there are approximately 70 kilometers of road and many lavender fields (although they are more modest than directly in Provence). The above-mentioned French site suggests starting the journey in the village of Castellane and descending from it along a mountain serpentine towards Grasse, although this is not logical - usually from the coast everyone goes in the direction from Grasse to the mountains. , pay attention to the , through which this "lavender route" passes.

You can rent a car for your trip to Provence and the Cote d'Azur here:

(the largest search engine-aggregator of leading car rental companies provides comprehensive information about the price, car equipment, insurance and other points. All you have to do is choose the best offer for you in terms of price/quality and pick up the car at the point you need)

(unique bays-Mediterranean fjords)

Lavender fields, Provence, France photo

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Senanque, founded in 1148, would be worth visiting even if there were no lavender fields around it.

Crimea is covered with lilac-blue carpets from the second half of June to August, depending on the weather, which is very capricious. Knowledgeable people say that the best time for photo shoots in lavender fields is usually from June 25 to July 10. Later, you can also find lavender, but it may already be dried out and not so picturesque, and somewhere it may have already been removed.


When does lavender bloom in Crimea?

We found ourselves in lavender fields near Alushta on July 5th. In Alushta, there is the Alushta Essential Oil State Farm Plant JSC, which produces cosmetics based on natural oils, Crimean herbs, clay and healing mud, algae, as well as herbal teas, jams and syrups. During the flowering period of roses - usually from May 25 until mid-June - and lavender - from June 25 until harvest - the company organizes excursions to its fields.


Excursion to lavender and rose fields by bus

From Alushta there are offers for organized groups, as well as for individuals. You must leave a request on the official website page https://aemsz.ru/ekskursii.html or call, at the beginning of July there were two group excursions for individuals. The group is taken on a retro bus to the mountains, treated to Crimean tea, given master classes on weaving wreaths, and also allowed to collect lavender for themselves within reasonable limits.



The plant's pink and lavender fields are located approximately here.


Excursion to lavender fields by jeep

The second option to visit the lavender field with an excursion to the fields of the state farm is to book a jeep trip from the Jeeping Tour company (+7 978 760 32 25, +7 978 760 32 30, website http://jeeping-tour.ru/) , that's what we chose.


An individual excursion for two cost 5,000 rubles. in 3.5 hours. In addition to the lavender field, we visited observation platforms with views of Alushta and Mount Demerdzhi, in a centuries-old beech forest, in which we collected the purest mountain water from a spring, drove along the royal road and saw a bridge from the time of Catherine II, and just took a breath of herbs -Crimean mountain air.

At the beginning of July, Crimea is all buzzing and blooming; walking on the mountain slopes is the best aromatherapy.


At excursion sales points in Alushta you can buy a similar excursion in the form of a horseback ride.


Photo sessions in lavender and pink fields, in wheat

Whatever one may say, flowering plantations for most of us are more exotic than frog legs and oysters. You can get guaranteed beautiful photos by ordering a photo session. As it turned out, lavender fields in Crimea do not all look like postcard views of blooming Provence. Photographers know the best of them, in addition, they understand the most beautiful angles, the best time of day with beautiful light.

You can order a photo session, for example, from Natalia Palenichka (http://palenichka.ru/).



Where in Crimea are Lavender fields besides Alushta

Lavender did not appear in Crimea on its own; it began to be bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden on the southern coast of Crimea. In Soviet times, the cultivation of lavender acquired an industrial scale, the Union was proud of the quality of its flowers, we were told that their quality for cosmetic products exceeded that of Provence, so France actively bought our lavender. The collapse of the country also affected the lavender-pink theme; many fields were abandoned.


To this day, when driving through the mountains, you can see wild lavender, which is densely surrounded by weeds. In one place I saw pink fields that had turned wild - wild rose thickets. Nowadays, many fields are given to private hands, so they look more well-groomed. Often the distance between the bushes is much smaller than in Provence, so the photographs turn out less impressive if we take French pictures as a standard. For me, the Crimean fields have their own charm; what could be more beautiful than the mountain lavender that Sofia Rotaru sang about?


The landscapes closest to Provençal fields can be found in the Bakhchisarai region, namely in the village of Turgenevka (local residents will help you find).


Where to look for lavender fields in Crimea (map)

From Simferopol, look for the villages: Vodnoe, Mazanki, Medicinal, Crimean Rose, between Aromatnoe and Tsvetochnoe. If you are coming from the southern coast of Crimea, you can visit these fields, and at the same time visit the unique Taigan lion park, which is located in the Belogorsky district.

From Alushta, Yalta, Gaspra: Lavender.

From Sevastopol: Uchkuevka, Andreevka, Mekenzi Mountains.

Bakhchisarai district: Turgenevka, Tarasovka, Zavetnoye, Kudrino, Shelkovichnoe, Rastuschee.

Special thanks to the Crimean photographer Natalia Palenichka for the photo

Inspiring with their wonderful aroma, lavender fields excite romantics and painters with their blooms. Lilac and blue bushes , planted exactly in a row, amaze with their natural perfection. The lavender flower itself is not very noticeable, but when the even bushes of a lilac shade are covered with flowers, bees from all over the area flock to this smell. But not only insects have chosen these plants.

In contact with

When does lavender bloom?

Every year, tourists, photographers and painters visit the lavender fields, hoping to remember this mesmerizing moment. The flowering time of lavender in Provence begins in mid-June, in some places it can bloom until the end of August. It depends on the area, climate and plant variety. But if you want to see this magnificent spectacle while visiting France, then it is better to come to the province by the end of June. The most beautiful flowering in mid-July. The plant begins to be collected at this time.

Where are the lavender fields?

Lavender fields can be found not only in France. This plant grows in Latvia. But the most extensive and picturesque fields are located in the province of Provence in the south of France. It is there that 80% of the world's lavender harvest is harvested.

For that, to find lavender fields in Provence in France it is necessary to figure out where this plant is most often found. In the province of Provence, this plant can be found in many places. It is the official symbol of the region. Farmers plant it on their plots. It is also grown in fields of various sizes. But the most picturesque and endless fields can be found in three regions of Provence:

  • Alps of Haute Provence.
  • Drôme-Provençal.
  • Vaucluse.

What tours are there for lavender blossoms?

To enjoy the sight and aroma of blooming lavender, you can go on a sightseeing tour from Nice or Marseille, as well as other cities in the south of France. The excursion program usually includes a visit to the largest Valensole valley with blooming lavender. A variety of plant known as lavender is grown here.

It's more fragrant and has large flowers. You don't need to climb high to see it. But such a plant does not have the healing properties that mountain lavender has. Lavender is used only in the production of cosmetics. It is against the background of such bright fields that excellent and mesmerizing shots are obtained. Very often, plans made in this area are used to produce postcards.

Lavender field tours often include visits to farms where you can learn about the process of producing lavender oil and growing the plant. Another place to visit is the Lavender Museum, located in the small town of Custelle. There you can get acquainted with the flower itself, its types and learn how the essence is extracted from it. The extracted essence is used in cosmetic production. There is also a small shop where you can buy products using lavender. In the store you can even buy honey collected by bees from these fields.




In addition, fairs and festivals dedicated to this plant are held every year. One of these festivals takes place in the town of Soult. A huge lavender field stretched out in front of him.

The following products can be purchased at the fair:

  • Lavender honey
  • Ice cream.
  • Soap with lavender.
  • Cosmetics based on lavender oil.

At each fair, various shows dedicated to this plant are held. Competitions are held among festival guests. Everyone has the opportunity not only to buy lavender and products based on it, but also to collect it with their own hands. The festival is held on August 15 and is dedicated to the harvest of the plant. But if you arrive in this area earlier, you can visit the lavender fields while hiking. There are walking routes everywhere that will allow you to enjoy all the beauty of the fields with these flowers.

Lavender looks incredibly beautiful in photographs taken at the time of flowering.

How to get to Provence

The most convenient way to get to the lavender fields is by car. There is no railway transport to the fields. It is better to start your trip from or Marseille. The path can be laid using the route map to search for fields. If you don't have a car, you can get to the lavender fields by train, reaching Carpentrass, and then by bus going to the ancient city of Seau, passing lavender fields along the way. If you are in good physical condition, you can go explore the lavender fields on a bicycle. But you just need to remember that the road will not be easy. Along the way you will have to overcome hills and mountains at temperatures of 30-35 degrees Celsius.

Routes in Provence

On a trip to Provence It's better to go by car. This will guarantee that you will be able to visit beautiful and interesting places. Public transport is not available everywhere. The most interesting places located in Provence:

  1. Plateau de Valensole. There are quite a few lavender fields located in a small area. To see them all, you need to take the D6 highway towards the north. You can return along the D8 highway.
  2. Mont ven Toux. In this area, the fields are located in the vicinity of the settlements of So, Gord and Apt. But one, but quite large, lavender field is located in the Senangue Abbey.
  3. Verdon Gorge. 45 kilometers from Castellane towards the west, there are lavender fields. In order to get to them, you need to drive through the beautiful village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Right from the village you can see lavender fields.

The most beautiful and memorable photographs of lavender fields are taken by tourists who are lucky enough to go on such a trip.

Blooming lavender fields, which even in the photo present a bright and beautiful sight, are a planting of plants of the Lactaceae class. It is native to the Old World and now grows from the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands to North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Many varieties are widespread in temperate climates for use in landscape design, for use as culinary spices, and for the production of essential oil extracts.

Main goals of cultivation:

  • The plant is grown commercially mainly for the production of essential oil. It has disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties, so it is often added to various ointments and creams. It is also known to help heal burns and bites.
  • Lavender is used in aromatherapy. Extracts of the plant are used as fragrances in bath products. Its aroma has a calming and relaxing effect.
  • Lavender is beneficial to bees and other pollinators. When in bloom, lavender attracts many honey bees. In addition to bees, it also attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects.
  • Lavender repels pests. Like mint, lavender also repels harmful insects: mosquitoes, flies. That's why lavender is often found in repellent sprays. It even repels fleas and ticks, making it pet-friendly.
  • Edible varieties of lavender make delicious food. You can make jams and jellies from edible lavender, for example, there is a popular recipe for blueberry lavender jam.

Lavender is used to make delicious drinks. Edible lavender is also well known for the fact that it can be used to make drinks: lavender tea, lemonade, syrup.

The best lavender fields in France

Famed for its stunning landscapes of purple lavender fields, Provence in France is filled with places worth visiting. When the lavender fields bloom from mid-June to the end of July, Provence becomes one of the busiest regions in France.

The unique violet, violet and blue lavender fields attract more than 24 million visitors from all over the world every year.

It's no wonder that summer is filled with lavender in Provence and throughout France. Until mid-August, the charming villages of Provence organize lavender festivals with traditional dances and songs, demonstrations and craft markets.

Lavender fields are the best places in France to admire flowering plants and take beautiful photos:

Abbey of Senanque. For photos with stunning views, visitors head to the famous monastery of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénac. The 12th-century abbey, surrounded by purple lavender fields, is great for views and attracts crowds of visitors every summer.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Senac is home to a community of Cistercian brothers.


Lavender fields: photo of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Senac

This place is located near the impressive mountain village of Gordes in Vaucluse-en-Provence. The abbey was founded in 1148 by Cistercian monks. The monastery shop sells various items made by the monks, such as lavender essential oil, honey, olive oil, soap.

The abbey is open to tourists, but it should be remembered that this is first and foremost a fully functioning monastery, so respect is advised here: Do not take photographs during church services and try to maintain respectful silence.

Lavender fields of Plateau de Valensole. The Valensole plateau, famous for its lavender, is the ideal place to stroll among the flowers and enjoy the sweet scent that fills the air. Huge purple fields stretch as far as you can see.

More than 800 sq. km. dedicated to the cultivation of lavender, making the Valensole plateau the largest area in France for the cultivation of this crop. In addition to the magnificent views, visitors to the Valensole plateau can also explore lovely villages with churches, castles, ramparts, museums and distilleries.

Village of Sault. Perched on a hilltop more than 700m above sea level, the small village of Sault is the ideal place to admire panoramic views of fields of blue lavender. The path, trampled by thousands of tourists, leads from the village straight to the fields.

When does lavender bloom in France and how to visit the fields

Lavender fields, photographs and artistic images of which are so often found on various decorative items, are known to grow mainly in France. The words "Provence" and "lavender" have become so synonymous with each other over the decades that one can hardly imagine one without the other.

The dark purple hues and subtle aromas of the fields are now so emblematic of the region of France that they have become extremely attractive to tourists.

Lavender does not only grow in Provence or even France. There are lavender farms that can be found in many parts of the world: in South Wales, Western Australia, and even in some southern regions of the UK. But none of these regions can compete with Provence in terms of tradition and scale.

The main lavender fields of Provence are concentrated in the north of the province (regions of the Luberon and Verdon plateaus north of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille) and east of Avignon. Moreover, the flowering season in the lowlands usually begins in mid-June and lasts until early July., although it may vary slightly from year to year depending on rainfall and temperature.

For example, around the town of Soft, colder weather means that the flowering season will open a little later, that is, from mid-June.

Video about the Lavender Museum in Provence:

For those who would like to gain a little deeper knowledge about this plant, you can take a trip to Le Musée de la Lavande (Lavender Museum). It is located in the quiet picturesque village of Cabrieres d'Avignon. Here you can find a lot of information about the industry, both past and present, about planting, harvesting and processing lavender.

And from early July to mid-August, they showcase lavender processing techniques in Provence since the early 1900s. using a traditional open fire. They also sell a lot of lavender products and have a range of natural cosmetics and essential oils.

Provence has quite a few lavender festivals that are worth seeing.

Most of them are one-day events. The theme of these festivals is lavender, so there will be a huge variety of locally produced lavender products to choose from. But the festivals also include a spirited celebration of shared local traditions: food, folk music, arts and crafts.

During the summer months, you can find many mini festivals and farmers' markets that have a large lavender component. During the lavender season, there is a general, very noticeable, festive atmosphere in the region.

Plateau d'Albion. Plateau d’Albion is one of the must-visit destinations for lavender lovers. When the flowers bloom, the 4,500 hectare area covered with lavender turns into a sea of ​​purple. In the Plateau d'Albion, visitors are rewarded with spectacular views as purple fields of lavender mingle with golden wheat.

La Ferme de Gerbaud. In the village of Lourmarin, in the south of the Luberon, there is a farm with a lavender field open for agricultural tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from April to October, and on Sundays only from November to March.

Distillerie les Coulets. This is an old distillery that uses traditional open fire methods to produce its own Provence lavender products. It's an exciting process. The surrounding lavender fields can be visited any time during the summer to buy a good range of products, but the factory itself is only open for tours in July and August.

It is located near the city of Apt.

Lavender fields in Le Mas de la Rosa. Le Mas de la Rose offers luxurious accommodation in a restored 17th-century farmhouse. between the Luberon and Alpilles regional parks and less than 30 km south of Avignon. It has 75 hectares of land to explore with fields of lavender, pine and olive trees.

There are also several structures here; swimming pool and tennis courts.

Hotel La Coquillade. This is one of the most famous hotels in the lavender fields region and in Provence. This is a luxury 5 star hilltop hotel with a bistro restaurant. There is a winery, pool, spa, gym and wellness center.

It also has 90 hectares of vineyards and offers a complete wine tourism program. La Coquillade is located near Gargas and is very much in the center of the Luberon lavender fields region.

Le Hameau De Pichovet. If the holiday program at La Coquillade seems too busy, then you can check out Le Hameau de Pichovet, which has a beautiful secluded estate east of the Luberon. It offers 5 self-catering rooms (although it also offers room service).

The spacious apartments are set in a restored traditional farmhouse, surrounded by fields of sunflowers and lavender. It also has 2 swimming pools and outside areas to enjoy peace and quiet.

La Bastide du Tinal. Another luxury villa in the Luberon, La Bastide du Tinal sits on a beautiful hillside outside the pretty village of Menrebs. This is a restored 18th-century silk factory building, surrounded by olive and almond trees, lavender fields and vineyards.

Regions of Crimea where lavender blooms

Lavender fields, photos of which are often found in wedding albums of newlyweds and which artists love to paint, also grow in some regions of Crimea. There is even a village of the same name. The Bakhchisarai region and Sevastopol are the places richest in lavender.

They are also sometimes called local Provence.

Lavender also grows in some other areas:

  • Feodosia;
  • Saki;
  • Evpatoria;
  • Cape Tarkhankut.

When does lavender bloom in Crimea and how to visit lavender fields in Crimea

In Crimea there are spacious lavender fields comparable in beauty to the fields of France. Somewhere there are cultivated areas, and there are also vast clearings of wild lavender. Its flowering time varies from year to year. It depends on weather conditions. Lavender usually blooms in early or mid-June.

Flowering continues during the summer months and September, but most plantations are grown for industrial purposes: for cosmetic or pharmaceutical use. Therefore, most of the lavender harvest is harvested at the peak of flowering.

Tourist tours are organized here, as well as lavender festivals, like in France.

Where does lavender grow in Russia?

Lavender fields, photos of which can be taken in Russia, are grown in several regions with the most favorable climate for it. In the Urals, for example, a frost-resistant plant species grows - English.

The main regions for growing lavender in Russia:

  • Altai;
  • Ural;
  • Black Sea coast, Krasnodar region.

When does it bloom and how to visit

The flowering of lavender fields in Russia depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the type of plant. A frost-resistant, narrow-leaved plant that grows in the Urals, blooms from July to August. Heat-loving species that grow in the Caucasus and Krasnodar Territory bloom earlier (in early June) and continue to bloom until September.

The Lefkadia Valley is the most popular place in Russia where lavender grows. Since the beginning of June, a special “lavender tour” has been organized here (Krasnodar region).

Lefkadia Valley visit program:

Paintings on the theme “Lavender Fields”

Lavender fields, photos of which inspire creativity, are the motive for many artistic paintings by contemporary artists.

Volchek Lika. Lavender fields

Artist Lika Volchek from St. Petersburg, impressed by the beauty of lavender blossoms in Provence, created an abstract work called “Lavender Fields.” The painting is done in pastel on paper.

It is dominated by rich purple, lilac and blue tones.

Gnatyuk Oksana. Sea view. Sardinia. Italy

Ukrainian artist Oksana Gnatyuk painted the painting “View of the Sea. Sardinia. Italy". The landscape of the island of Sardinia on canvas was created with oil paints in warm shades of color. The canvas depicts a small Italian house surrounded by flowers against the backdrop of the sea.

Zhaldak Eduard. Landscape with lavender

Artist E. A. Zhaldak from Rostov-on-Don created a painting with lavender fields in France. The painting is matte and stretched on a stretcher, as its edges are painted as a continuation of the landscape. The painting is painted with acrylic and tempera paints on canvas.

Canvas size – 39x41 cm.

Shulyak Tatiana. "Lavender fields"

“Lavender Fields” is a painting painted by the Ukrainian artist Shulyak T.V. on canvas. The canvas is an abstraction with oil paints in plum, lilac and purple tones. Canvas size – 50x60 cm.

Zozulya Maria. Lavender fields

The watercolor and pastel painting “Lavender Fields” by Maria Zozulya, 2017, reflects the sunset over a lilac-blue field of flowers. The picture is painted on paper 30x40 cm.

Kshanovskaya-Orlova Anna

A series of paintings by Kyiv artist Anna Kshanovskaya-Orlova “Summer Landscape”, “Lavender Fields”, “Tuscan Expanses”, “Tuscany.

Lavender Fields" in the style of New Impressionism depicts Tuscan landscapes with an emphasis on blooming lavender fields.

Wlodarczyk Andrzej. Lavender fields of Provence

The oil painting “Lavender Fields of Provence” by Andrzej Wolodarczyk is written in the genre of European landscape. The style of the painting is new impressionism.

Rodriguez Jose. Lavender fields. Blue

Oil painting “Lavender fields. Blue" by Jose Rodriguez is written in the genre of the "Mediterranean landscape".

Most people don't know that lavender has been used for healing for centuries, protecting people from everything from headaches to plague. During the Black Plague, which struck Europe in the 16th century, lavender oil and alcohol were used as a way to prevent the disease.

There are also many other interesting facts about lavender:

  • The name of the plant comes from the Latin verb “lavare”, which translates as “to wash”.
  • Lavender comes from the same family as mint.
  • Over 2,000 years ago, lavender was used in ancient Egypt to mummify pharaohs.
  • In times when bathing was not a common practice, lavender was used to perfume clothing and bedding.
  • Most lavender plants are blue or purple, but there are some varieties that come in reddish and yellow hues.
  • Lavender essential oil was used in hospitals during the First World War.
  • The nectar from lavender plants is used to make high quality honey.
  • Lavender oil can be used to soothe muscle and joint pain, reduce anxiety and stress, and aid sleep.
  • Lavender essential oil is calming.
  • When taken internally, lavender is known to help treat indigestion.
  • There is food grade lavender that is used in both sweet and savory recipes.

The amazing lavender fields that spread across the vast expanses of France, the entire Mediterranean, Russia and many other countries are an interesting tourist route. Photos taken against the backdrop of blooming lavender look beautiful and romantic.

Lavender flowers themselves are beneficial in many ways, and their sweet scent is used in many cosmetics and perfumes.

Article format: E. Chaikina

Useful video about lavender

Plot about the lavender festival:

In midsummer, lavender blooms in northern Provence. Lavender fields - the hallmark of Provence - are not inferior in popularity to the Cote d'Azur. Postcard views of fields covered with purple rows of fragrant lavender attract many tourists to Haute-Provence. Lavender has been grown in this region for almost a thousand years for its soothing aroma and healing properties. We will tell you where and when the most famous lavender fields bloom, how to get there, what to buy and where to stay.

When

From the end of June when lavender blooms, and until early August when it is collected. The flowering period depends on the weather and the area where it grows. Below you will find a map of the flowering of lavender fields, on it fields that bloom from late June to July 15 are marked in light purple, those that bloom from early to July 25 are marked in blue, and fields that bloom from early July to July 25 are marked in dark purple. 10th of August.

The major cities of the region are marked in orange - Cannes, Avignon, Arles, Valence. In each city, we recommend visiting the tourist office (Office de tourisme) and picking up a detailed map of the lavender fields, which is updated every year. There you can also learn about local holidays, fairs and festivals.

How to get there

By car. Renting a car is the most convenient solution, because most fields do not have trains or buses. And by car you can create your own route or drive along one of the roads that pass through the most beautiful fields and mountains, with stops in medieval villages and castles. It is best to start from Nice or Marseille. A day with a manual transmission will cost from 1,700 rubles.

Public transport. You can take the train from Paris or Marseille to Avignon, where tour companies run day-long bus trips through the lavender fields. There is also a train from Avignon to Carpentras, where you can take the Carpentras - Sault bus, which goes through the lavender fields to the ancient town of Sault.

Cycling routes lavender fields are becoming increasingly popular, but they are only suitable for people with good physical fitness, because Provence has hills and mountains, and the average temperature in summer is 30-35°C.

Where

The main lavender fields are concentrated in three regions of Provence: Alpes of Haute-Provence, Vaucluse and Hautes-Alpes.. Many cities have tourism associations offering walking and cycling tours. All information about six Lavender roads (Routes de la lavande) in English is available on the website of the MoveYourAlps association (offline and online maps, information about holidays, attractions, hotels and campsites).

Main lavender flowering areas

- Plains and perfume factories of the Vercors, Diois and Drôme Provençal region (Vercors, Diois, Drôme Provençal), where lavender blooms from late June to late July. Drive from Crest to Baronnies, through the fields around Die and Rosans, where the road goes through low mountains, past plateaus with fields of lavender. Drôme Provençal is famous not only for lavender, but also for the medieval villages of Dieulefit, Grignon, Valréas.

- Hills and mountains in the region of Drôme, Vaucluse, Alpes de Haute Provence (Drôme, Vaucluse, Alpes de Haute Provence). From June to mid-July, lavender blooms in dozens of fields around the mountain villages of Vaison-la-Romaine, Nyons, Buis-les-Baronnies, Orpierre, Rosans.

- Mountains, ocher canyon and medieval castle in the region of Ventoux, Lure, Luberon. The towns of Gordes and Apt are surrounded by fields where lavender honey is sold, and the huge ocher canyon of Rustrel is called the Colorado of Provence because of its Martian landscapes. We recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset, when the canyon walls glow in all shades of red. Near the canyon is the medieval castle of Mane, and at the foot of the white Lure mountains the most fragrant mountain lavender grows.

- descent from the mountains to the Cote d'Azur in the area of ​​Grasse and Valensole (Grasse et Valensole). Descend from the vast Valensole plateau, entirely covered with lavender, through Mézel and Barèmme to Castellane, next to which lies the Artuby lavender valley. The route ends in Grasse, the perfume capital of France. Here lavender blooms until mid-August.

Must see: lavender fields on the Valensole plateau

About Valensole plateau, which lies in the foothills of the Alps and looks like an endless sea of ​​lavender, is worth telling separately. There are more than ten lavender fields on the plateau. You can see everything by following a 33 kilometer circular route: Valensole D56 east to Puimoisson - along D953 north to the Poteau de Telle junction - D8 back west to Valensole.

Near the Valensole plateau there is village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, included in the list of the most beautiful villages in France, and 30 kilometers to the southeast is Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon)- the most beautiful thing in France. We recommend visiting the Grand Canyon du Verdon - a giant gorge in limestone rocks, 700 meters deep, offering breathtaking views.

Lavender Festivals and Fairs:

- Lavender Festival in Saint André de Rosains, where they sell lavender oil and tinctures, perfumes, honey, soap, ice cream and even cakes. The festival takes place on the second weekend of August.

- Lavender Fair in Digne-les-Bains is the largest Lavender fair in Provence. They sell all kinds of products made from (or with the addition of) lavender, as well as the best dried fruits and candied fruits in France. Festive processions pass through the city, accompanied by hundreds of musicians and dancers. In addition to lavender, Digne-les-Bains is famous for its balneological baths, medieval churches and the only one in France Butterfly Park (Le Jardin des Papillons).

- Lavender Festival in Sault, which takes place on August 15, the day the lavender harvest in Provence ends. Craftsmen and perfumers come to Seau, master classes on making perfume and cosmetics are held here, gastronomic specialties are sold, musicians play old Provençal melodies, and a book fair takes place nearby.