Lavender blooming and hotels Valensole or Luberon?

Posted by Kathy W (Inlet Beach, FL) on 08/22/22 02:16 PM

Planning a 6-week Italy, France and Spain trip and can squeeze in a few days to view the lavender fields around 20 June. Everything I've read said the fields are in bloom from either mid-June or late June. We can't stay much later than 24-25 June, but understand with climate changes, the fields are blooming earlier, but can't confirm. Understand no one can predict weather or plants----did anyone go this past June and was able to see sufficient bloom?

Also looking for a hotel right in the lavender fields areas---Valensole or Luberon areas? We would probably drive up from Marseille. Looking for a lovely hotel, with parking and breakfast, maybe around $200? Has anyone done this?

Thanks in advance, appreciate tips on lavender fields to visit and hotels. We are actually re-doing our entire 6-week schedule to fit this in since we'll be so close.

Posted by balso

Paris

08/22/22 02:35 PM

6920 posts

20 June nearly guarantees blooming lavender around Valensole or in the Luberon (but not in Sault, which is higher) - if only just at the early bloom stage, which is less purple but still magnificent and very fragrant. Look here to see how it went in 2022 (translate as needed): https://www.durance-luberon-verdon.com/floraison-lavandes-2022.html

The fields are bigger around Valensole: look at Google satellite views; all those brown or pale grayish-green fields with tightly spaced parallel rows are lavender fields! Valensole itself as well as Riez and Moustiers are charming villages / small towns for a base. Moustiers is a bit touristy and expensive. No specific hotel recs from me, sorry!

In poor years, as a backup, the fields around Velleron / isle sur la Sorgue should be the first to bloom (lowest elevation).

I would choose between the Valensole area and the Luberon depending on other activities: if the Verdon Gorge calls to you, then choose Valensole. If you'd rather visit the cute Luberon villages, then pick Luberon!

Posted by Kathy W OP

Inlet Beach, FL

08/22/22 05:17 PM

130 posts

Thank you, balso, I am happy that timeframe should work! Will hopefully get some hotels recommendations and then make a decision between the two areas (and if anyone else has experience with either or. both to make recommendations).

Posted by Nancy

Corvallis OR

08/22/22 06:48 PM

7042 posts

I stayed in Roussillon in the Luberon when I visited. It was easy to visit the other Luberon villages and the lavender fields in that area and the ochre cliffs that are right there. I stayed at the Hotel La Maison des Ocres. Very nice hotel with rooms (some with balconies/terraces) overlooking the valley. It's been renovated since I stayed there and looks even nicer now, including a swimming pool. They do have parking but I think the breakfast is extra, although the prices are good so that's not a big deal, definitely well under $200. https://lamaisondesocres-hotel.com/.