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Book Lavender Tours in Provence
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ProvenceLavender Tours
Top things to do in Provence
Highlights of a lavender tour in Provence
Stunning scenery
Set against the backdrop of rolling hills and quaint villages, a sea of lavender, as far as your eyes can see, that is the magic of the lavender blooms in Provence.
Intense aromas
Walking through a lavender field will tingle your senses with its sweet, calming fragrance. Studies have shown that the aroma from lavender has physical benefits such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and promoting relaxation.
Photo ops galore
Your social media grid would be the envy of all your followers, and, why not? Lavender has a vibrant purple color, which during sunrise and sunset changes shades from light pink to blue. Now imagine capturing photos of and in in a sea of lavender!
Brief blooms
Similar to the Cherry Blossoms in Japan, lavender blooms in Provence happen for a certain period of time only. Bloom season starts in June and by the end of the month, most of the region’s lavender will be flowering. It peaks in mid-July and ends by the start of August.
Support local businesses
Your tour to the lavender fields includes an after-visit to the local market and distilleries where you can buy lavender-based products such as essential oils, soaps, and beauty products. Buy these to support the local businesses in Provence.
Valensole Plateau
The postcard of lavender fields in Provence, the Valensole Plateau lies at an altitude of 500m and covers an area of 800 km2 (a mix of wheat and lavender fields), in varying shades of gold and blue.
Luberon Valley
The Luberon is located in central Provence. It borders the Durance River in the South and stretches towards the towns of L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the West, and Manosque in the East. This region is known for its vibrant landscapes that merge the deep purples of lavender with the rustic charm of scattered villages. The Sénanque Abbey near Gordes is a must-see when the purple flowers are in bloom!
Sault
Hostingone of the world’s largest annual lavender festivals on August 15, Sault offers one of the best climatic conditions to grow lavender. A popular route in Sault, The Chemin des Lavandes (Lavender Road) is a 4km walking loop flanked by lavender fields and charming villages.
Valensole
The plateau of Valensole covers an area of 800 km2 and is one of France’s largest areas devoted to growing lavender, with fields stretching as far as the eye can see. In addition to the fields, there are many shops that offer crafts and traditional products, especially ones made from lavender such as honey, essential oils, lavender ice cream, and nougats and there are also truffles, another local specialty.
Lavender tour tickets explained
Experience
Things to do
Tour timings
Duration
Book your experience
From Aix-En-Provence: Lavender Fields Half-Day Tour
Explore the countryside of Plateau de Valensole, meet local farmers, try your hands at the lavender distillation process, and visit a Provençal village-Roussillon.
The morning tour starts at 9 am; the afternoon tour starts at 2 pm.
4 hours
From Avignon: Luberon Lavender Morning or Afternoon Tour
Explore the lavender fields of Luberon and visit three other sites- Roussillon, Gordes, and Senanque Abbey.
The morning tour starts at 8:30 am; the afternoon tour starts at 2:30 pm.
5 hours
From Avignon: Sault Lavender Morning or Afternoon Tour
Explore the lavender capital, Sault and visit a local producer and shops too.
The morning tour starts at 8:30 am; the afternoon tour starts at 2:30 pm.
5 hours
From Aix-En-Provence: Lavender Fields Full-Day Guided Tour
Visit the Luberon Regional Natural Park–Saignon–Pays de Sault–Gordes and enjoy lunch afterwards.
The tour starts at 9 am.
9 hours
From Avignon: Lavender Full-Day Tour of Sault or Roussillon
Visit a traditional market in Sault/Roussillon–Gordes–Senanque Abbey and enjoy lunch afterwards.
The tour starts at 9 am.
8 hours 30 minutes
From Marseille: Lavender Full-Day Tour to Sault or Valensole
Head to Valensole–Gordes–Roussillon, enjoy a sumptuous lunch, and visit a distillery and a local market.
The tour starts at 8 am.
9-10 hours
Plan your lavender tour in Provence
Timings
Departure
Getting there
Facilities
Aix-en-Provence
Avignon
Marseille
- Timings
The morning tours start between 8:30 – 9 am.
The afternoon tours start between 2 – 2:30 pm. - Tour duration
The half-day tours take between 4 – 5 hours.
The full-day tours take between 8 – 10 hours. - Open on
Since the lavender season is from the start of June to the start of August, the tours are available daily during these months. - Best time to visit
Anytime during the blooming season is a good time to visit. That said, the blooming peaks in mid-July, so you can plan your visit around this time.
To get the best photos, shoot either during sunrise or sunset, when the lighting is magical and it paints the lavender fields in different shades – from light pink to blue.
Meeting point:
- From Aix-en-Provence, it is in front of Office de Tourisme (Tourist Information Center).
- From Avignon, it is in front of Office de Tourisme (Tourist information Center).
- From Marseille, it is in front of Radisson Blu Hotel.
Nearest stop to the meeting point
- In Aix-en-Provence is Gare De Aix-En-Provence (TGV station), a 6-minute walk.
- In Avignon is St. Roch (light rail station), an 8-minute walk.
- In Marseille is Vieux-Port (metro station), a 10-minute walk.
- All-round transportation will be provided for all the lavender tours in Provence in an air-conditioned minivan.
- All tours will include an expert English-French speaking driver-guide who’ll share the history and interesting facts about the places you pass through and visit.
- The tours consist of a small group of 2-8 people only.
- Depending on the tour you choose, you’ll get to visit a distillery to better understand the manufacturing process of lavender essential oils.
- Meals are included in the full-day tours.
- Eat
La Moda is a brassiere-style eatery serving traditional French cuisine with a modern twist. Try out their sushi and oysters (during the season), and build-your-own Chirashi bowls. - Stay in
Luxury stay: Hôtel Le Pigonnet 5 étoiles, La Maison D'Aix, and Hotel de France Aix-en-Provence
Economical stay: Hôtel de l'Arbois, Hotel Paul, and Hotel le Mozart
Budget stay: Premiere Classe Salon De Provence, Adonis, and Résidence Aixoise - Things to do
Cours Mirabeau: A shaded boulevard dotted with three lovely fountains, Cours Mirabeau makes for a nice stroll in Aix-en-Provence. Flanked by buildings and outdoor cafes, this street is often compared to Champs Elysees in Paris.
Le Grand Marché: A must-visit Sunday market, Le Grand Marché is where you can find most things that you need – from fresh produce and sweet treats to fresh flowers and gorgeous markets. The market is open only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (early hours).
Fondation Vasarely: A museum dedicated to Victor Vasarely, it was built with an aim to promote his ideas of 'art for all' and of the 'city of tomorrow'.Victor was a Hungaran-born French artist known for his distinct style which combines graphic art with optical illusion.
- Eat
Restaurant Le Violette, within the private museum, Lambert Collection of Contemporary Art, serves globally-influenced dishes at reasonable prices. - Stay
Luxury stay: Novotel Avignon Nord, Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis, and Hotel d'Europe
Economical stay: Hôtel Central Avignon, Hôtel Kyriad, and Hôtel Cristol
Budget stay: Fasthôtel Avignon Nord,Hotel Mignon, and Hôtel Les Corps Saints - Things to do
Palais des Papes: One of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe, the Palais des Papes was home to 9 successive Popes throughout the 14th century.
Avignon Old Town: An old city containing ramparts and twisted cobblestone streets, Avignon Old Town is a great place to take a walk and soak up the city’s vibe.
Avignon Bridge: When the construction of the bridge started in 1177, it was 920 meters long, 4 meters wide, and had 22 arches. Today, only 4 out of the original 22 arches remain, but it is still an iconic landmark.
- Eat
Fuxia Marseille is an Italian restaurant specializing in pasta and pizzas, serving a wholesome meal on a shaded terrace. - Stay
Luxury stay: New Hotel Of Marseille, New Hotel Le Quai, anf Hôtel Maison Montgrand
Economical stay: Comfort Aparthotel Marseille Prado, B&B HOTEL Marseille Centre La Joliette, and Vertigo Hostel
Budget stay: Camping Garlaban, The People Hostel, and hotelF1 Marseille Est La Valentine - In Marseille
Old Port: An iconic landmark of Marseille, Old Port is a great place to take a stroll, admire boats, watch the sunset, and taste bouillabaisse, a classic French fish soup.
Notre Dame de la Garde: A Catholic basilica and one of the city’s landmarks, Notre Dame is considered the protector of sailors and fishermen. At its highest point at 154 meters, it offers 360-degree views of the city of Marseille.
Noailles: Nicknamed the belly of Marseille, Noailles is one of the city’s liveliest spots, a labyrinth of narrow, flower-filled streets lined with Haussmannian buildings (facades built in stone).
Frequently Asked Questions about lavender tours in Provence
How do I choose the right lavender tour for myself?
Depending on your time availability, you can either choose a half-day tour or a full-day tour of lavender fields in Provence. If you’re picking a half-day tour, you can choose either a morning tour or an afternoon tour, depending on your schedule for the day. Either way, both tours take you to some of the best lavender fields in the region of Provence.
Is transportation available from and to the starting point?
Yes, all the day tours include a round-trip transportation factored into the ticket price. If you’re starting from Aix-en-Provence, your meeting point is in front of the Tourism Office of Aix en Provence; starting from Avignon, your meeting point is in front of the Tourist information centre; starting from Marseille, your meeting point is in front of Raddison Blu Hotel.
Are there any age restrictions for day trips?
Yes, children aged 3 years and below are not allowed on these day trips due to safety concerns. The lavender fields are home to many bees due to which, children that young are not allowed,
Are these day tours accessible for people with disabilities?
No, they are not, since the tours are outdoors and on (mostly) uneven terrains.
Since the day tours are mostly outdoors, can I bring my pet along?
No, pets are not allowed on the lavender tours because there is every chance that your pet can dash through the field or eat the plants, thus causing harm to the lavender field.
What is the cancellation policy on my day trip tickets?
You can cancel your tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund. It is important to note that the lavender tours require a minimum sign up of 2 participants else the organisers will cancel the trip at their discretion.
Are meals included in the tours or should I carry my own?
Meals are not included in the half-day tours but they are included in the full-day tours.
What are some recommended souvenirs to take back from the tour?
Since they are all lavender tours, pick up souvenirs that are lavender-based and unique to each location. From lavender sachets and lavender soaps to lavender-infused honey and lavender essential oils, your choices are many.