Lavender Time
From mid June to early August, the lavender fields are in bloom. Symbol of Provence, the properties of the lavender plant are countless. Lavender soothes, scents, heals, and adds sunshine to any day. The Vaucluse countryside abounds with lavender in the summertime, colouring your holiday with every shade of blue. The following driving itinerary will take you along some lovely country roads with lavender fields, advising stops here and there at a honey-producer, a lavender museum or at distilleries, where the lavender is transformed into essential oil from mid July until the end of August.

Lavande en Vaucluse


A Drive on the Lavender Roads
90 kilometres from Coustellet to Aurel
 
Start in Coustellet, in the Luberon
Don’t miss:

  • the lavender museum

Route de Gordes - D 2 - Hameau de Coustellet  - 84220  Cabrières d'Avignon 
->plan of access here

Description:
The owners of this museum, the Lincelé Family, have long been producers and distillers of fine lavender in Provence. Audio-guided tour (in English) of the collection of copper stills, which provides you with information on the history and distillation of lavender since the 14th century. Documentary on cutting and distilling lavender. From 1 July to 25 August, daily distillation at the museum in a 1900's still, and scythe cutting in the adjoining lavender field. Direct sales of locally-made A.O.C. fine lavender essential oil and high quality natural cosmetics.
Entrance fee: 5 €

Lavender roads in Vaucluse

Continue on the N100 until you see the direction of Bonnieux on your right, which you can reach by the D36. From Bonnieux, look for the direction of Buoux. Then drive on the D113 from Buoux to Saignon: you are on the Plateau des Claparèdes, in the midst of the lavender fields and bories (little dry stone constructions in the fields, used by farmers or shepherds).

Don’t miss:

  • the honey producer “Le Mas des Abeilles” in Bonnieux, Col du Pointu.
    Tel : +33 4 90 74 29 55

From Saignon, drive to Apt on the D48.
Don’t miss:

  • The Distillerie des Coulets in Apt (route de Rustrel –
    Tel: +33 4 90 74 07 55)

Then from Apt, take the direction of St. Christol/Rustrel on the D22.
In Lagarde d’Apt, don’t miss:

  • Lavande 1100: organic lavender distillery, aromatic plants, beekeeping (Tel: +33 4 90 75 01 42)

Take the road from St.Christol to Sault, which is flanked on either side by numerous lavender fields.
In the village of Sault, don’t miss:

  • “la Maison des Producteurs” (inside the village), a cooperative shop for lavender, honey, aromatic plants…
  • The “André Boyer” nougat shop (inside the village)
  • The Limonaderie du Ventoux (route de Saint Trinit): makes lemonade and syrup using lavender
  • The Jardin Conservatoire des Lavandes (lavender conservatory garden, route du Mont Ventoux): a collection of 100 lavender varieties, regular guided tours, and classes in July and August (gardening, cooking, perfume-making, etc)
  • The organic distillery Aroma’Plantes (la Parente, route du Mont Ventoux)

You can then drive on to Aurel, and if you wish, to Montbrun les Bains and Ferrassières before coming back to Sault (round circuit).

A short walking itinerary: the lavender trail:

Le Chemin des lavandes
Distance: 5,3 km – Change in Altitude : 80 m
Approx. walking time: 1 h 40
Signs: Yellow
Carpark : outside Sault,  when you head towards the Mont Ventoux (D164).
At 700m, in the direction of les Michouilles and 1,3 km further,
 > Download the itinerary

You will find more lavender around Valréas, in the Enclave des Papes, north of the Vaucluse. Don’t fail to spend some time there.

Lavender-themed Festivals
Lavande en Fête in Sault – 15th August 2006
Le Corso des Lavandes in Valréas – 5 and 7th August 2006 at 9pm

Accommodation
Beware: book as early as you can: this is July, in the lavender area…

A selection of hotels in the area

 

hotel Vaucluse, Saint Christol, Lavandin hotel 

Lavandin **
Saint Christol
Phone number: 04 90 75 09 18
>> more information  

hotel Vaucluse, Sault, Val de Sault hotel 

Val de Sault ***
Sault
Phone number: 04 90 64 01 41
>> more information 

hotel Vaucluse, Mazan, Château de Mazan hotel 

Château de Mazan ****
Mazan
Phone number: 04 90 69 62 61
>> more information 

A selection of guest houses:

 

Bed and Breakfast Vaucluse Provence : Sault - Mont Ventoux

Bastide des Bourguets 3 épis
Sault - Mont Ventoux
Phone number : +33 04 90 64 11 90
>> see the bed & breakfast

Bed and Breakfast Vaucluse Provence : Sault - Mont Ventoux

Lavand'Inn
Sault - Mont Ventoux
Phone number : +33 04 90 64 13 68
>> see the bed & breakfast

Bed and Breakfast Vaucluse Provence : Apt - Luberon

Aigalades 3 épis
Apt - Luberon
Phone number : +33 06 07 68 59 86
>> see the bed & breakfast

Bed and Breakfast Vaucluse Provence : Apt - Luberon

Domaine de Font Alba
Apt - Luberon
Phone number : +33 04 90 74 48 12
>> see the bed & breakfast

Bed and Breakfast Vaucluse Provence : Apt - Luberon

Vieilles Tourettes 3 épis
Apt - Luberon
Phone number : +33 04 90 04 81 76
>> see the bed & breakfast

Excursions
If you are based in Avignon, bear in mind that excursions to the lavender area are run nearly every day in the blooming season. See article on Avignon Festival

A Useful Website:
www.routes-lavande.com (in French and English) for everything regarding lavender in Provence (itineraries, accommodation, distilleries, packaged stays...)

A recipe
Madeleines with Lavender honey
(recipe by Bruno d’Angelis, from the “Vieille Fontaine” restaurant, at Hotel de l’Europe**** in Avignon)
Ingredients:
300g powdered sugar, 50g powdered white almonds, 100g sifted flour, 60g lavender honey, 250g egg white, 250g melted butter
(makes about 30 madeleines)

Whisk the egg whites, the powdered sugar, the almond powder and the flour. Stir in the honey, at lukewarm temperature. Add the melted butter and whisk all together. Place the batter in the refrigerator and let rest approximately 3 hours.

Drop Madeleine batter into previously buttered Madeleine molds (metal or silicone). Make only the number of Madeleines you need – the batter can be kept in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Bake 8 minutes at 180°C, and remove from the pan while still warm.

Chef’s tip:
Madeleines are delicious as they are, with tea or coffee, or served with orange or lemon marmalade.

> back to the top of the page