If seeing the lavender fields in Provence is top of your France bucket list, it’s important to get the timing of your visit right.
Lavender season in Provence is short (the period in bloom lasts 3-5 weeks), varies by location, and depends on altitude and weather patterns each year.
My colleague Laura and I plan trips in Provence every season, and travelers often ask us: “When is the best time to see the lavender fields?”
When is lavender season in Provence?
In most years, lavender season in Provence runs from late June to mid-July, with some higher-altitude areas blooming into late July or early August.
But Provence is not one uniform landscape. Fields bloom in stages, not all at once.
A simple overview
- Late June: Early blooms begin in lower-altitude areas
- Early to mid-July: Peak lavender season in most regions
- Late July to early August: Later blooms in higher areas, just before harvest
Once harvesting begins, the fields change quickly. The color fades, and within days, many fields are cut.
Where lavender blooms first and last
The lower plateaus (earlier bloom)
Areas at lower elevation tend to bloom first, often from late June.
One of the best-known examples is the Valensole Plateau, where vast fields are easy to reach by car. This area is spectacular when it’s at its peak, but also very busy in July.
Good to know: Valensole is beautiful, but it requires careful timing and routing if you want to avoid heavy traffic and crowds. If you book one of our Provence tours, we will advise you on how to avoid the busiest times.
The Luberon (mid-season)
In the Luberon, lavender usually blooms from late June into mid-July.
One iconic spot is Sénanque Abbey, where lavender fields frame the monastery for a brief window each summer.
This is also one of the most photographed and visited lavender locations in Provence. We help travelers plan the right time of day to stop by, or suggest alternatives nearby.
Higher-altitude areas (later bloom)
If you’re traveling later in the summer, higher elevations offer a second chance.
Around Sault, lavender blooms later, often peaking in late July and sometimes into early August. The landscape is more rugged, and the atmosphere quieter.
This is often a better fit for travelers who prefer a calmer pace and fewer crowds. That being said, do check our weather guidance below, and keep in mind that late July and early August is the peak tourist season in France. This can mean early starts or visiting the most popular sites later in the day, when the roads tend to be less busy and the weather a bit cooler.
The best time to visit for lavender, realistically
If lavender is your top priority, we would usually recommend:
- Late June to mid-July
- A flexible route that includes both lower and higher-altitude areas. We include detailed routes linked to your preferred GPS smartphone app in your personal guidebook and MyFrance app when you book a tour of Provence with us.
- A willingness to drive scenic back roads, not just the most famous spots
If lavender is important but not the only reason for your trip, early July works well. You’ll still see fields, and you’ll also enjoy markets, villages, and outdoor dining at their best.
What about weather and crowds?
July is warm - sometimes very warm.
Temperatures can reach the high 80s°F (30°C), especially inland.
It’s also peak travel season in Provence.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. It means you should:
- Stay in the right locations
- Drive at the right times of day
- Balance lavender stops with shaded villages, longer lunches, and quiet countryside drives
This is exactly where careful planning makes the difference. We can help with that.
If you miss lavender season
Travelers sometimes worry that missing lavender means missing Provence. That’s not true.
- May and early June bring poppies, fresh green landscapes, and fewer visitors
- September offers warm light, vineyards, and a calmer rhythm
- October is ideal for food lovers and walking villages without crowds
Lavender is beautiful, but Provence also has so much more to offer! We can plan authentic, local experiences and activities that you can enjoy at any time of the year. These include a private cooking class with a local chef in his vineyard, or a truffle-hunting experience.
Planning a Provence trip around lavender
If lavender season in Provence matters to you, we’ll build the itinerary around:
- The right regions, at the right time
- Scenic drives that feel relaxed, not rushed
- Comfortable places to stay where you can slow down after a warm day
If you’re starting to think about a summer trip to Provence and wondering how to time it, we’re happy to talk it through.
We warmly invite you to browse our Provence self-drive tours, reach out via our contact form, complete the trip-planning form below, or email us - Emilie and Laura - at travel@france-justforyou.com when you’re ready.
