5 Must-See Villages on the Lavender Routes in Provence
05/21/2025
Every summer, Provence adorns itself with a lilac sparkle and fills the air with an unforgettable fragrance. From mid-June to the end of July, the lavender fields transform the regional landscape into a living tableau worthy of the great impressionists. Created to showcase local agricultural and natural heritage, the ‘Lavender Routes’ cover a vast route linking the Valensole plateau to Mont Ventoux, passing through the Luberon, the Verdon Gorges, Diois, and the Provençal Drôme.
Interested in a road trip? From Cotignac, we recommend exploring the most beautiful spots located less than a two-hour drive away: Valensole, Manosque, Forcalquier, Banon, and Digne-les-Bains. These are typical villages, with breathtaking panoramic views, and cultural stops that punctuate a captivating journey through Haute-Provence.
Valensole
A small village nestled in the heart of the famous Valensole plateau, undoubtedly the most photographed in Provence. In early summer, waves of purple lavender stretch as far as the eye can see. The contrast between the blooming lavender, the wheat fields, and the cypress trees gives the landscape an almost meditative aura.
Cultural stop: Visit the Angelvin distillery to discover the secrets of lavender essential oil production. Don’t miss the local art galleries, many of which are housed in former sheepfolds.
Gourmet stop: At La Maison de Marius, Mélanie has been continuing a culinary tradition for five generations. Their delicatessen is open year-round, and a restaurant and artisanal ice cream are open from May to August.
Manosque
Manosque is both the gateway to Haute-Provence and the home of author Jean Giono. It’s also home to the headquarters of L’Occitane en Provence, where lavender is used for skincare products and perfume. There is a museum, a factory outlet, and a distillery where visitors can discover the brand’s entire universe.
Cultural stop: Visit the Jean Giono Centre, housed in the writer’s former home, and learn about the writer’s world and his poetic vision of Provence.
Gourmet stop: Reserve a table at the Michelin-starred Pierre Grein restaurant, for fantastic cuisine subtly rooted in Provençal terroir.
Travel time from Cotignac: 1 hour 21 minutes (93.6 km)
Forcalquier charms with its bohemian character and Provençal charm, set perfectly between the Lure Mountains and the Luberon. The Monday market is a local institution, where lavender reigns supreme in all its forms: buquets, soaps, oils, syrups, and more.
Cultural stop: Climb up to the citadel of Forcalquier, the former site of the Counts’ castle, now occupied by the Notre-Dame de Provence chapel and its carillon, with breathtaking views of the town and lavender fields.
Gourmet stop: A five-minute drive away, in Mane, discover Le Feuillée, the one-Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant at the Couvent des Minimes, for a sensory experience combining tradition and the best culinary delicacies.
Digne-les-Bains
The capital of AOP fine lavender, Digne-les-Bains is nestled at the foot of the Alps. Renowned for its thermal baths which have been prolific since ancient times, it also charms visitors with its Lavender Corso, a colourful summer event blending Provençal traditions with a festive atmosphere.
Cultural stop: Explore the contemporary art scene in the great outdoors, led by CAIRN, an art centre located in the mountains, and the works of the Gassendi Museum, which connects arts and sciences to the local region.
Gourmet stop: Take a seat at Nusa Café, a modern and friendly vegetarian restaurant, tea room, and wellness centre, where you can enjoy healthy local cuisine, and a check on your wellbeing.
Banon
This hilltop village overlooks a windswept landscape of lavender and wheat. Banon is famous for its goat’s cheese, but also for its laid-back lifestyle, old stone houses, local artisans, and magnificent panoramic views.
Cultural stop: Step into the Le Bleuet bookstore located in the heart of the village. With 110,000 titles available and a stock of 189,000 books, it is one of the largest independent bookshops in France.
Gourmet stop: Taste Banon cheese in one of the artisanal cheese shops, accompanied by local bread and a drizzle of lavender honey. For a more complete meal, reserve a table at La Table de Panturle, a local gem.
A Sustainable Provençal Culture
Provençal lavender is cultivated ecologically and sustainably. It requires neither watering nor chemical additives. Lavandin, a more productive hybrid, dominates on plateaus such as Valensole. Fine lavender, more delicate and aromatic, grows at higher altitudes, particularly around Digne and Sault. Then, steam distillation of this plant, which is itself a traditional French method, extracts a precious essential oil used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and herbal medicine.
The Best Time to Photograph Lavender
Lavender generally blooms from mid-June to late July, peaking around July 10th to 20th. For photographers, misty mornings or golden late afternoons offer the most beautiful opportunities. Be careful, though: the harvest often begins as early as the last week of July. To make sure you don’t miss a single moment, plan your trip between July 5th and 20th.
Extend the Provençal experience at Lou Calen
Back in Cotignac, rediscover the calm and elegance of your room at Lou Calen. In our hotel concept store, extend your lavender sensory experience with a selection of lavender-based products: soothing herbal teas, bath salts, natural cosmetics, scented cards, and other treasures of Provence. Then, during the season, don’t miss our lavender spindle-making workshops. Using a sickle, you’ll pick the sprigs, carefully sort them, and learn how to braid ribbons around the stems using an ancestral method. This delicate skill preserves the scent of the fields long after summer!
And if you’re short on time and can’t fathom a day out – Lou Calen also has its own lavender field: a fragrant haven within walking distance, just a few steps from your hotel room.
