If seeing the lavender fields in Provence is on your bucket list, let’s find the perfect tour for you! There are several tours out there to help make this dream become a reality, but when it comes down to choosing one, it can feel like there are too many options to choose from. This article will summarize the best tours of the lavender fields in Provence for you!
When we visited Provence, I cannot explain how disappointed I was when we learned we missed the lavender blooms by only a few days. From this experience, I researched more about the fields to help me plan my trip better for next time!
On top of the main tours I’ve listed below, I also wanted to help you prepare for your trip, so you don’t make the same mistakes I did, by answering some FAQs. You will find recommendations of where to stay, the best time to visit the lavender fields in Provence, and the best places to see lavender!
I hope you enjoy your visit to Provence and I hope the lavender fields are as magical as you imagined!
*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for the lavender fields in Provence
🐝 Watch out for bees! If you’re like me and don’t necessarily have a green thumb, it might be beneficial for you to know that bees are naturally drawn to lavender. It is a natural source of food for bees so when you visit lavender fields in Provence, keep in mind you will have lots of them buzzing around!
📆 How many days are enough for Provence? From personal experience, we spent one week exploring Provence and it was perfect. However, we did miss a few spots so I would say 7-10 days is perfect for visiting the region!
🚗 To get the most out of your visit, rent a car. Exploring Provence and its lavender fields is best done at your own pace by renting a car. The villages in this region are so picturesque and charming that following your own schedule will probably make the experience more enjoyable! However, not all of us can turn our trip to Provence into a road trip and luckily, the tours I’ve listed below allow you to experience these iconic fields without a car!
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What is the best time to see the lavender fields in Provence?
You can expect to see lavender in bloom from mid-June to mid-August. This of course changes from year to year due to growing conditions and the harvest. Plus each area of the region will be a little different! Either way, it is understood that the best time to see the lavender fields in Provence is early July.
Where to stay to see the lavender fields?
I usually recommend travellers base themselves in Aix-en-Provence during their stay in Provence. This is one of the largest cities in the region, with plenty of restaurants, markets, and options for day trips! In fact, most of the tours I’ve listed below, depart from Aix-en-Provence.
Alternatively, if you are on a road trip or looking for smaller villages to explore, there are so many picturesque villages in Provence you can stay in. Some of these towns are located closer to the lavender fields, making a day trip a little easier as well. However, I would recommend this option only if you have access to a car.
Where is the best place to see the lavender fields in Provence?
There are two popular places to see the lavender fields in Provence: the Valensole Plateau and the Sault Lavender fields.
The Valensole plateau is the most popular area to see lavender. All along this route you can find lavender farms, and charming villages all around the town of Valensole. You really can’t go wrong here if you’re on the hunt for lavender!
The Sault lavender fields are a little less expansive and more remote but are actually known as the capital of lavender! This area is a beautiful alternative to Valensole, especially if you are maybe interested in escaping the crowds!
Best tours of the lavender fields: From Aix-en-Provence
My top pick:
✅ From Aix-en-Provence: Lavender Day Trip to Valensole (with A La Francaise!)
⏰ 9 hours
📍Includes stops in many flower fields, a local farm, the Gorge du Verdon and two picturesque villages
💰~140 euros
❤️ Perfect for a well-rounded experience
⭐️ 4.8/5 on GetYourGuide based on +100 reviews
I’ve listed this particular tour as my top pick because it includes plenty of time visiting the flower fields as well as a time exploring small provencal villages. I find this really important to have a well-rounded day trip in this area because there are just so many beautiful hidden gems to be found! It also includes a stop in one of my favorite villages in France, Moustiers Saint Marie!
If you’d like a half-day tour:
✅ 4-Hour Lavender Fields Tour in Valensole from Aix-en-Provence (with Bonjour Provence)
⏰ 4 hours
📍Includes stops in lavender fields and Valensole
💰~ 80 euros
❤️ Perfect for those short on time
⭐️ 25 5-star reviews on Viator
This tour is a great way to visit the lavender fields in Provence if you are short on time! SO many of the tours I’ve found online are full day trips, which are great because you’ll get plenty of time to explore but sometimes we don’t have time for a full day trip. This day trips ensures you still have the magical experience in the flower fields with a pit stop in Valensole to explore.
Check availability and prices here
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If you want to go at sunset:
✅ Sunset Lavender Tour from Aix-en-Provence (with Bonjour Provence)
⏰ 5.5 hours
📍Includes stops in lavender fields and local Valensole villages
💰 ~82 euros
❤️ Perfect for photographers!
⭐️ 25 5-star reviews on Viator
This tour looks absolutely magical! It is through the same company listed above however this tour is a little longer and, of course, takes place at sunset! This tour seems to have been made with photographers in mind, as they’ve planned the itinerary to be perfect for photo conditions! This tour is also a great way to avoid visiting during the peak heat in the middle of the day!
Check availability and prices here
If you also want to visit an alternative to the Valensole Plateau:
✅ From Aix-en-Provence: Sault Lavender and Gordes Day Trip (with A la Francaise)
⏰ 9 hours
📍Includes stops in lavender fields, and three traditional villages
💰 ~140 euros
❤️ Perfect for those who’ve already been to the Valensole Plateau
⭐️ 4.8/5 on GetYourGuide based on +20 reviews
I mentioned above that there are two main ares where you can find lavender fields in Provence. This is the only tour on this list that visits the less popular of the two! What I like about this tour is not only the time dedicated to explore the fields but the number of stops they make in other villages. They stop in three in total, one of which is known as one of the most beautiful villages in France; Gordes!
Check availability and prices here
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Best tours of the lavender fields: From Nice
✅ Nice: Gorges of Verdon and Fields of Lavender Tour (with French Riviera Sightseeing)
⏰ 9 hours
📍 Includes stops in lavender fields, two traditional villages, and the Gorges du Verdon
💰~120 euros
⭐️ 4.5/5 on GetYourGuide based on +1.3k reviews
If you’re based in Nice, never fear it is still possible for you to experience the the iconic lavender fields in Provence! This tour makes very similar stops to my top pick listed above, the main difference is that it departs from Nice.
Best tours of the lavender fields: From Marseille
✅ From Marseille: Lavender Full-Day Valensole (with Tylene Tours)
⏰ 9 hours
📍 Includes stops in lavender fields, Moustiers Sainte Marie and the Gorges du Verdon
💰~145 euros
⭐️4.7/5 on GetYourGuide based on +100 reviews
Last but not least, this lavender fields in Provence tour is available from Marseille. Again, it makes similar stops to my top pick listed above the main differences here are that this tour departs from Marseille, and it only stops in Moustiers Saint Marie, not Castellane. However, what I do like about this tour is that it mentions that there is time designated for swimming in the lake! Others tour do not mention this, so this experience definitely sounds fun!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve learned from my mistakes and are planning your visit to the lavender fields in Provence accordingly! Remember to visit in July and to rent a car if you are able. If not, there are plenty of tours here for you to choose from, all offering a memorable experience!
If you have more time to explore Provence, check out my 10 days in Provence itinerary. Here I’ve mapped out for you some of the best villages to visit during your time in Provence as well as some beautiful natural wonders! This itinerary is based on my own trip to Provence, however, I extended it to include places we did not have time to visit! Read more here!
Did you know? I also offer custom travel planning on Thatch! Whether you are in need of a consultation call to talk over your travel itinerary or are in need of a personalized guide or itinerary, I’d love to help you with your France travel planning!
