July and August is the time to visit Provence in France, exploring Medieval villages and markets, and taking advantage of the many lavender festivals and activities.

The purple flowering lavender has been grown commercially for the perfume industy in Provence since the 18th century, and now it, and the related lavender festivals, form an interesting and colourful holiday destination in this region of France. Visitors in the summer can explore Medieval towns, gardens, and take part in festivals celebrating this fragrant herb.

Lavender Harvest

Lavender blooms from June onwards, and is harvested in summer. The oil is extracted by steam distillation and is a clear transparent liquid with an intense fresh smell.

Distilleries and Gardens

Towns that have distilleries open to visitors include Aurel, Saint Christol, Saint Trinit, Castellet, Caseneuve, and Viens. There are also several botanical gardens and farms open to the public. Digne’s gardens are in the grounds of a former medieval convent. The Angelvin farm at Valensole has a traditional tools display, and videos about lavender, and in Sault a guided tour of the botanical gardens and the green houses is possible.

Hot Air Ballooning

For an overall view of the lavender scene, stop at Forcalquier – the tourist office can organise balloon flights over the fields.

Exploration Base

A good base for lavender explorations in Provence is either Avignon or Apt.

Avignon

Avignon is the capital of the region, a large town that was the papal court from 1309. The warm golden stones of this ancient walled city glow in the summer sunshine. The fortifications were a necessary protection against mercenaries.

Apt

Apt is a small market town, boasting an 11th century cathedral and a Roman theatre museum. It has a great Saturday morning market that shouldn't be missed. It gives a glimpse into the food and drink of the region, and of course you can pick up some lavender handicrafts!

Regional Highlights

From these two centres you can make your way around the lavender fields of Provence, visiting the fields, distilleries, admiring outstanding landscapes, medieval villages, and historical oddities such as the Plague Wall, which was erected across the countryside to keep the plague out of the region. It was two metres high, and 70cm thick, and its remains can be seen near Murs and the Abbey de Senangue.

Cistercian Abbey

The Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century, is again, after several historical upheavals during which many of the buildings were destroyed, a functioning monastery, open to the public.

Pont Julien and Gordes

Also worth seeing are Pont Julien, a 2,000-year-old three arched bridge named after Julius Caesar. Goult is one of several fortified hilltop villages in the region. Its buildings and streets seem to be carved out of the solid rock of the hilltop. Gordes, on the other hand, is sited by a plateau surrounded by forests. It’s got a 12th century castle, a glass making museum, and an olive mill. Tuesday is market day.

Saint Saturnin

Saint Saturnin–lès–Apt is another wonderful medieval village, with cliffs, valleys, a little picturesque lake, windmills, fortifications dating back to the 11th century. Castle ruins add to the atmosphere. It's also a truffle region.

Festivals

July and August is the ideal time to enjoy local lavender festivals, including those at :

Apt: Fête de la lavande – mid July

Digne: lavender parade, August

Esparron sur Verdon: Lavender fête, mid August

Riez: Festival of honey and lavender

Sault: Fête de la lavande, with a parade, competitions, and folklore, in mid August

Thorame-Haute: Lavender fête on the second weekend in August

Valrès: Corso de la lavande, with floats, folklore, first weekend in August