Provence
When is the best time to see lavender in Provence?
Can anyone advise of suitable sites in that area also to include Gorges du Verdon?
Comments
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Depending on area, and the weather, the lavender harvests can start at the beginning of July, so the best time to visit is just before then when the heady sell of lavender fills the air for miles around.
See here for information about lavender in Provence:
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/mag/terroir/lavande.htm
We liked the area around Riez and the Plateau du Valensole - and there is a campsite in Riez called Rose de Provence which is within walking distance. However, it depends what you want, and if you want a swimming pool, etc.,
We stayed at a nearby site, which unfortunately I wouldn't recommend, even though we loved the area. The market in Riez is fantastic - twice weekly, with loads of Provencal specialist food producers. It's near enough to do a day trip to the Gorges du Verdon, but far enough to be less crowded.
Come back with more information about what sort of sites you like, and we can help a bit more!
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The area Val is recommending is close to lac Sainte-croix which is a good area to stay and quieter than the coastal regions. Provence covers a massive area but the Western parts (say, Isle sur la sorgue, Cavaillon, Carpentras etc.) are easier to get to. Lavender fields are everywhere.
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We went in late June and stayed at Mazan, not far from Carpentras, I can still smell the Lavender now, and I went about 20 years ago
Admiral
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Thank you for your suggestions. We are thinking of the areas around Arles & the lavender route; Sault, Carpentras, Fountaine de Vaucluse, Cavailon, Apt, Roussillon, Colorado de Rustrel, and Grand Canyon de Verdon for which we can see on the map Riez would
be good location. Also thinking of taking 2-3 wks in June in these areas and using ACSI sites where possible. The whole trip will be around 6 weeks, shuttle out, back via Caen.0 -
Thank you for your suggestions. We are thinking of the areas around Arles & the lavender route; Sault, Carpentras, Fountaine de Vaucluse, Cavailon, Apt, Roussillon, Colorado de Rustrel, and Grand Canyon de Verdon for which we can see on the map Riez would be good location. Also thinking of taking 2-3 wks in June in these areas and using ACSI sites where possible. The whole trip will be around 6 weeks, shuttle out, back via Caen.
We have stayed at Camping Le Bregoux, at Aubignan, just N of Carpentras. We've always liked this site and usually get a large pitch. It is a no frills site (no pool or animations), but always appears to be well looked after on the many times we have visited.
We do the lavender fields at the same time as driving up Mt Ventoux. We approach Ventoux from the West (the Malucene side and the head towards Sault after coming down the other side. Ventoux is a must for all who visit this area, in my opinion.
David
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You may be interested in my blog on Provence last year as it covers many of the places that you have listed including Mount Ventoux which we visited on David's recommendation.
www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.org
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I've nearly finished my photos on Provence, and some lavender sites...have a look :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swanseapress/
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I've nearly finished my photos on Provence, and some lavender sites...have a look :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swanseapress/
Nice lavender photos (and the rest)! However, to get the real effect you need 'Smellovision' to smell the heady lavender scent as you look at the photos!
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I've nearly finished my photos on Provence, and some lavender sites...have a look :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swanseapress/
Beautiful photos. Sadly I thought it would be too hot for me at lavender time as I can't take the heat but we were there in poppy time which was beautiful too.
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Thank you all for your info/photos & recommendations.
Valda could you supply details of the site at Riez please? Now we can sit down and plan the details of our trip!
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Link to Camping Rose de Provence. It's a 'Camping Qualite' site, which usually means well looked after - though not luxurious!
If you do stay there, then take some time to find the little convent on the hillside overlooking Riez. Years ago we had the most magical picnic there, with a group from a campsite - all sitting under the trees, outside, whilst in the chapel the nuns were singing beautiful choral music. Absolutely stunning. I hope it's still there!
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We stayed at camping domain d'Enriou a couple of years ago, it's right on the Verdon and very close to the lavender fields. Wonderful site, but might not suit everyone, as it's naturist.
Totally agree about the market at Riez, but get there early, parking can be a problem otherwise.
It's a fantastic area, have a brilliant trip.
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Here's a link to the little 'Convent' - the Fraternite Ste Claire - and the main page shows the trees where we had our picnic!
My OH suggested that anyone who loves honey should also visit the Musee d'Abeille - where you can have an escorted trip to the bee hives, dressed in beekeeper's gear, and watch them being handled. Then you can buy some of the delicious lavender honey on sale. When we went to that area for the first time, years ago, the museum was run almost single-handedly by an old chap who absolutely loved his bees.
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You may be interested in my blog on Provence last year as it covers many of the places that you have listed including Mount Ventoux which we visited on David's recommendation.
www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.org
I've tried, but don't seem to be able to get to the blog. Would you check this for me - I'd love to have a read....
David
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You may be interested in my blog on Provence last year as it covers many of the places that you have listed including Mount Ventoux which we visited on David's recommendation.
www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.org
I've tried, but don't seem to be able to get to the blog. Would you check this for me - I'd love to have a read....
David
David
try
>>here<<Dave
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You may be interested in my blog on Provence last year as it covers many of the places that you have listed including Mount Ventoux which we visited on David's recommendation.
www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.org
I've tried, but don't seem to be able to get to the blog. Would you check this for me - I'd love to have a read....
David
David
try
>>here<<Dave
Thank you Dave, I am an idiot typing org instead of com on the end!
David I hope you enjoy it as I enjoyed reading your information in your story on here before we went.
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No problem, enjoyed reading it so much that it's under consideration for this years French odyssey.
Dave
I can't recommend it too highly. That holiday I think rates as one of the best we have had. But I think that I loved the Languedoc, where we went after Provence, that Val loves and recommended, even more!
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We stayed at
http://www.campinglespins.com/en/
about 100 m from the St Croix lake and found it agreat base for exploring the region. After that drove down to the Riviera.
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You may be interested in my blog on Provence last year as it covers many of the places that you have listed including Mount Ventoux which we visited on David's recommendation.
www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.org
I've tried, but don't seem to be able to get to the blog. Would you check this for me - I'd love to have a read....
David
David
try
>>here<<Dave
Thank you Dave, I am an idiot typing org instead of com on the end!
David I hope you enjoy it as I enjoyed reading your information in your story on here before we went.
Thanks for the link Dave. Really enjoyed the story of your holiday, Jenny and John. I will be going through it again with a pen and paper, so that we can visit some of the places. We're not going down to the Languadoc this coming summer, but will be doing
Provence again, sandwiched between Germany and Italy. I'll make a note of the link so I can visit it again. Great blog and photos. Thanks for sharing.David
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We haven't been to France for 3 years. Valda gave us a route through Rouen which was very helpful , but l seem to have misplaced it . It was also combined with a toll free route down to Narbonne . Is this route still do able? Many thanks.
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We haven't been to France for 3 years. Valda gave us a route through Rouen which was very helpful , but l seem to have misplaced it . It was also combined with a toll free route down to Narbonne . Is this route still do able? Many thanks.
Yes it is, and if you send me your email address to valdaathome@gmail.com, then I'll email it back to you. I hope to update it in the next day or two.
However, if you're going to Provence, then going via the A75 and then down to Narbonne is going a long way out of your way.
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Just pondering wether and/or where to go in France this year, and for some reason had not considered Provence. I have problems acclimatising to heat, so can anyone tell me how hot it typically gets there in early to mid June?
I reckon 24-27C in Provence in June as a rough estimate - the warmer areas probably being inland.
David
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We have stayed at a lovely site at the entrance of the Gorges of Verdon called L'Aigle at Aiguines. It is inthe ACSI book at 15 Euro a night. It has wonderful views over the Lac Sainte Croix and into the Gorge. The site has a very nice restaurant with the
views. A 2 minute walk takes you into the village which has further restaurants,shops and a very nice patisserie. There is no swimming pool but you are only a few minutes drive from the Lac.If you only want the lavender fields and pretty villages then you won't go far wrong at Camping des Sources at Gordes.
Again this is in ACSI at 19 euro a night. The site is just through the village and has fantastic views over the Luberon . Gordes is classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. The site has a swimming pool with views over the Luberon . It is also
spot on for all the things you want to see in the region being on the Lavendar trail. Sault is classed as the capitol for lavendar and there is a dedicated walk through the fields of a few miles. You are also within easy reach of at Mount Ventoux with its
magnificant views and also a short drive to Avignon. Hope this helps.0 -
We like Camping Le Bregoux at Aubignan, just N of Carpentras for visiting Mt Ventoux and the lavender fields. It's also within reach of the Luberon, Avignon, Orange etc. Bregoux is a no frills site, but we have found some of the pitches very roomy and
we have always found them accommodating. Wi-fi is free on the site but is not available over the whole site. There is a outdoor area near to reception where folk gather to get on-line. You could be lucky and get a pitch close to reception - like we do,
but if you want this, it is better to send Lionel an email to book a specific pitch.Hope this helps
David
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Just pondering wether and/or where to go in France this year, and for some reason had not considered Provence. I have problems acclimatising to heat, so can anyone tell me how hot it typically gets there in early to mid June?
The answer can only be go and see, and if it's too hot move on. Last year we went up not the hills when it was nudging 39C but in other years it has been more temperate.
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