Among the open-air landscapes of the French hinterland there are hardly more replicated than lavender fields. Leaving the harmonious fluffy stripes over the horizon, the gently-violet lavender bushes rather seem like an outlandish carpet, on which one wants to fall asleep in anticipation of a fairy tale, rather than in general, related to the world of the flora. The main "lavender" department of France - the picturesque Provence - boasts hundreds of square kilometers of these fantastic alien landscapes, and in July-August there is a real pilgrimage of admiring tourists.
Lavender blooms in general from the end of June to the middle of August, depending on the climate of the current year. In order to guarantee an unforgettable experience, the trip should be planned for the period from the second week of July to the beginning of August. Earlier this time, if the spring was cold, before your eyes there will be only unremarkable buds. Well, in August lavender is already harvested for further processing, so there is a risk to see "cornfields are compressed, groves are bare."
Almost all the countryside of Provence is planted with lavender fields. It is only a little move away from Avignon, as you find yourself among the lavender fields of one or another "intensity". In general, although lavender here is the official symbol and the most popular ornamental plant - there is not that Provencal that did not plant at least the bush in its flower bed - lavender cultivation fields are located mainly in the three regions of northern Provence: in the Alpes of the Upper Provence (the largest plantations) From Vaucluse and Drome-Provencal.
The Alps of Upper Provence are the undisputed leader in the number of lavender plantations. The most extensive is the valley of Valensole, which in fact represents a huge lavender field. Her main city of Valensole in the summer literally drowns in the fragrance of lavender. From there you can go to the village of Dinh-les-Bains among the most picturesque plantations. And in the town of Kustelle is worth visiting the Museum of Lavender, which features ancient distillers and cosmetic products with lavender are sold.
The official capital of lavender is the town of Saul in the department of Ou-Vaucluse. Its surroundings are a solid purple carpet, along which hiking routes are laid (they are marked with colored signs depending on the degree of complexity). August 15 in Sol is arranged a colorful lavender holiday - the end of the season of its collection.
Also, lavender is a good place to admire in Drom-Provansal, but the landscapes here are more diverse - there are wheat and sunflower fields, as well as numerous vineyards.
