Lavender Fields of Valensole
Lavender Fields of Valensole features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Provence. Give it roughly ~120 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~120 min
- Provence Provence guide
About Lavender Fields of Valensole
The Plateau de Valensole is Provence's most spectacular lavender landscape, vast fields of purple lavender stretching to the horizon from June to July, interspersed with almond trees and beehives, producing some of France's finest lavender essential oil and honey.
The Plateau de Valensole is a vast limestone plateau in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of Provence, covering approximately 800 square kilometres at an elevation of about 550 metres. It is the heartland of lavender production in France, and the lavender fields that cover it from late June to late July are perhaps the single most striking seasonal landscape in all of Provence. The plateau produces two main varieties: true lavender (lavande vraie), grown at higher elevations and producing the finest quality essential oil, and lavandin (a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender), which is less fragrant but higher-yielding and covers larger areas. The plateau is also one of the most important almond-growing areas in France, and in February and March, before the lavender season, the almond trees are in blossom. Lavender distilleries are scattered across the plateau, and it is possible to watch the traditional steam-distillation process during harvest season.
Did you know? The lavender fields of Valensole bloom for only about three to four weeks, from late June to mid-July, before the harvest begins. The exact timing varies from year to year depending on the spring temperatures, making it essential to check current conditions before planning a visit.
How long is a visit to Lavender Fields of Valensole?
Set aside roughly ~120 min for Lavender Fields of Valensole. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Lavender Fields of Valensole worth your time?
Lavender Fields of Valensole is among the 12 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Provence, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Provence
Hear the story of Lavender Fields of Valensole
Preview the Provence tour free in the Gingerguide app.