There are images of Provence you see everywhere, and which rarely disappoint in real life. The lavender fields of the Valensole plateau are among them. When you emerge onto the plateau after the bends of the road and the purple stretches as far as the eye can see under a sky that does not look real, you understand why photographers from all over the world converge here every July.
The flowering window
This is where many people go wrong: lavender does not bloom "all summer". The ideal period is generally the first half of July, sometimes from late June depending on the year and the altitude. Before that, the stems are green. After, farmers have often already harvested. To be sure of arriving at the right time, look for recent photos on social media or call the Valensole Tourist Office, which reports the state of the flowering in real time during the season.
The best spots on the plateau
- The fields along the D8 between Valensole and Riez, the most photographed, with a view of the perched village of Valensole in the background
- The surroundings of Ganagobie Abbey: Romanesque mosaics inside and lavandin outside
- Very early in the morning (before 9am) for the low light and the absence of crowds
Combining with Moustiers and the Verdon
Valensole is close to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. A beautiful day combines the three: lavender in the morning, the village of Moustiers at lunchtime, a viewpoint over the Verdon Gorges in the afternoon. MR Taxi organises this type of tour from Marseille or Aix, a full day, at your own pace.
