Our journey along the lavender route in Provence

The Lavender Route of Provence is a summer highlight for many travelers, and rightly so! When the landscape transforms into a vibrant purple, a unique magic hangs over the region. But when exactly does the lavender bloom? Which route is worth taking? And which places offer the most immersive experience?

In this article, we provide the most important information about flowering times, routes, and viewpoints, along with personal impressions from our guests who have discovered their own Lavender Route through France.

From the rolling hills of the Drôme Valley to the expansive Plateau de Valensole, we show you where you can experience three magical Provence lavender spots at their best.

Lavender blooms in Provence at different times. Depending on altitude and region, it begins between mid-June and early July and ends in some areas as late as August. Those planning the Lavender Route in Provence should therefore know where and when it blooms most beautifully.

Here is an overview of the most important areas along the Lavender Route in France:

• Drôme Valley and Haut-Buëch: Around Crest, lavender blooms from mid-June to the end of July. Harvesting usually takes place in early July. In higher-elevation regions such as Chamaloc or La Faurie, the blooming period often lasts until early August. Distilleries there are sometimes still active after August 15th.
• Drôme Provençale: Around Grignan and Tricastin, lavender blooms in mid-June. At higher elevations, such as Vinsobres or Roche-Saint-Secret, it can last until mid-July.
• Buëch Valley: Here, too, the flowering season begins at the end of June, or at the latest at the beginning of July. What's special about this region? Here, you can witness the manual harvesting of the lavender bouquets. Distillation continues until the end of August.
• Apt: Around Apt, lavender begins to bloom as early as mid-June. Here, too, harvesting and distilling begins at the end of June/July.
• Valensole & Haut-Verdon: On the famous Plateau de Valensole, lavender blooms from mid-June to mid-July. In the neighboring northern regions, such as the Pays d'Ignois or Haut-Verdon, it can still be seen until the beginning of August.
• Préalpes d'Azur & Pays Grassois: Here – the "cradle" of lavender – wild lavender blooms on the mountain slopes from the end of June. This is often not harvested and therefore remains visible for a particularly long time.

What does it feel like to travel through Provence through lavender fields? Two guests who experienced just that take us on their lavender route.

They each chose different routes. They found what they were looking for on the official website of the National Tourism Agency: One route leads through the quiet Drôme Valley, the other through the vast plains of Haute-Provence to the dramatic Verdon Gorges. Both give us insights into their experiences and show that it's not just about finding the most beautiful lavender fields in Provence, but also about what happens between the stages: a feeling of peace, space, and sensory impressions that lasts.

1. Lavender Route in the Drôme Valley – From Crest to Rosans

Marie and Jonas, a couple from southern Germany, prefer to travel by car and like to deliberately plan their trips away from the major tourist routes. For their summer vacation, they chose the northernmost lavender route in Provence – a route of around 137 km, which they wanted to experience in two days with stops along the way.

Starting point: This was the small town of Crest, known for its medieval fortified tower, which towers high above the town. Early in the morning, they strolled leisurely through the streets to fully arrive on their Southern France vacation.

The journey took them along the Drôme via Aouste-sur-Sye into the valleys of the Sye and Gervanne, where aromatic plants and medicinal herbs are mainly cultivated. A spontaneous detour onto the D70 to Beaufort-sur-Gervanne took them to the Chocolaterie La Frigoulette, an insider tip with lavender chocolate, which is refined there with essential oil. "We've never tried anything like it," said Marie, packing several bars as a souvenir.

Later they drove through the small town of Die, where the lavender fields were in full bloom. Particularly impressive for both of them was the Roanne Valley, where the road winds through an almost alpine landscape.

They took a longer break in La Motte-Chalancon. The mountainous character of the village surprised them, as did the tranquility that prevailed there.

The destination of the route was Rosans, where they visited the Écomusée du Pays Rosannais. The small museum vividly explains the region's lavender tradition, and admission is free. The two were particularly pleased that the annual Lavender Festival was taking place in Saint-André-de-Rosans this very weekend. This takes place every first weekend in August, so if you'd like to plan your trip around that time, too.

2. Lavender Route: From Forcalquier to Castellane

Claudia and Ben opted for a longer route with many experiences: the 185 kilometers from Forcalquier to Castellane, crossing the lavender landscapes of Haute-Provence to the Verdon Gorges. They planned two to three days for the route, stopping at the most important locations.

The starting point of their journey was Forcalquier, a quiet town with regional flair. From here the route continued through the Durance Valley to Manosque. Here, the two not only wanted to stroll through the old town, but also visit L’Occitane en Provence. The well-known cosmetics brand L'Occitane offers tours of the factory and a museum. An ideal starting point for a deeper dive into the region!

A short distance further lies the famous Plateau de Valensole. Lara and Ben arrived in the late afternoon, as the light turned the endless lavender fields golden. They were particularly impressed by the family-run Distillery Terraroma Jaubert, where they were spontaneously invited to a free tour, including tastings of essential oils and other products such as lavender, honey, and almonds.

The journey then took them through Aiglun, where the perfume producer Nicolosi has been distilling lavender oils for generations. The blend of workshop charm and perfume tradition was a real insider tip.

In Digne-les-Bains, former capital of lavender, they experienced one of the highlights of their trip: the Lavender Parade with decorated floats, music and a regional market, which is celebrated every year on the first weekend in August. Another stop was Barrême, where the traditional lavender festival is celebrated on the last weekend in July. But unfortunately, they were already too late for that. They continued on the infamous Route Napoléon.

Shortly before reaching their destination, the two stopped at Lac de Castillon, a turquoise lake with crystal-clear mountain water. For Lara, this was the perfect place for a short break and a few last photos.

Other Lavender Routes in France

If you want to discover even more, you can find an overview of all six official lavender routes on France.fr: from wildly romantic mountain routes to enjoyable tours through the high plateaus of Provence. Each route reveals a different facet of this special region.

Not only along the routes, but also at individual lavender villages, Provence unfolds its full magic in summer:

• Plateau de Valensole: A sea of lavender as far as the eye can see. An unforgettable photo opportunity, especially in the early morning or at sunset.
• Abbaye de Sénanque: The medieval Cistercian abbey near Gordes is an iconic place where lavender and history merge in a unique way. Caution: No entry to the lavender – important for photo tourists.
• Saignon: The picturesque mountain village with its winding streets offers not only views of lavender fields but also tranquility far from the tourist trails. Photo spots: Especially from the cliff above the village. One of the most beautiful unobstructed views in the Luberon.

These places can be easily explored individually or as part of a lavender route.

What remains after a journey along the Lavender Route in Provence? Perhaps the scent of sun and herbs, the buzzing of bees among the blossoms, or the vibrant violet in your memory. For our guests, it was above all the feeling of truly being there. In the moment, in the south, at a slower pace.

Whether you're driving a route yourself or simply looking for a place where lavender is part of everyday life: Provence offers you just that. And perhaps you'll find the perfect accommodation at Casapilot that gives you space to do just that: to slow down, experience, and return.