Hi, all! I’m planning a trip to Provence and have a couple questions. The RS Provence page suggests that May isn’t a good time to go. Anyone who’s been in May have thoughts on that? Also, would I see any blooming lavender at the end of May/first few days of June? I can’t go later in the summer. Thanks!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11776 posts
My experience in May one year was that it was sunny but often windy, when the Mistral blows. Just googled and found this article https://www.francetoday.com/culture/le-mistral-the-wind-of-provence/ which may illuminate.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
We've been there a couple times in May both the first half of May and found it great. I always travel with a sweater & a rain coat in May though. No lavender in May but the poppies are in bloom.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5431 posts
May is waaay too early for lavender.
Posted by
Paris
7303 posts
This year with spring being so early, lavender might start to bloom at lower elevations in early June (e.g. Sénanque Abbey). It depends a lot on how sunny the next two months are.
And, lavender or not, late May is a great time to go, as you'll come before the heat of summer. Mistral is no longer a concern at that time of the year, as it will still be warm even if it happens.
However, 26-29 May this year is a busy holiday weekend in France, so make sure to secure accommodation!
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1700 posts
Our oldest daughter lives in Provence with her French husband so we have visited many times. We have been there in May, and based on our experience, May is a wonderful time to visit Provence. The weather is warm and sunny, and as someone else said, it is before the summer heat. May is generally too early for the lavender. We have seen very beautiful lavender fields in late July.
We have experienced the mistral winds in April but not in May.