Where to see lavender bloom in France without the crowds
Is there any more quintessentially French sight than train track rows of lavender spilling down the hillside, perhaps with a château or precariously perched hilltop village to frame it?
In early summer (mid-June to mid-July), Provence* in France* is defined by puffy, perfumed purple clouds, but that means it draws crowds. Visit lavender fields around Luberon or Aix-en-Provence in high season, and it's to a soundtrack of the clicking of camera shutters rather than the buzzing of bees.
While Provence has far more lavender fields than any other parts of the country, it's not the only place to go, and France's 'other' lavender regions are much less crowded.
Imagine camping out among the lavender completely free of charge, or e-biking around lavender fields without another tourist in sight. Sure, they're not quite as grandiose, but that's a small price to pay for the absence of selfie sticks.
Getting there: book your affordable self-catering escape with Pierre & Vacances*, which offers a wide range of residences, holiday villages and more across France.
Distillerie Sainte-Hilaire, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne
A stone's throw from low altitude ski resorts and an extinct chain of volcanoes that forms France's Massif Central, the Auvergne doesn't have the kind of weather, nor landscape, in which you'd expect to find lavender fields.
Nonetheless, Distillerie Saint-Hilaire has been running for 35 years, specialising in aromatherapy products.
The lavender bushes here receive a much higher quantity of rainfall than their famous Provençal counterparts, which only serves to make their colour pop all the brighter. As global warming heats the south, perhaps one day the Auvergne will be France's lavender hotspot.
When to go: July to August, the lavender flowers later in the Auvergne than further south.
La Maison de la Lavande, Saint-Remèze, Ardèche
On the plateau above the Gorges of the Ardèche*, and the meandering Ardèche River sit lavender fields framed by gentle hills at La Maison de la Lavande.
A rather twee road train goes around the perimeter to admire the fields from all angles; there's also a museum and 360° immersive film for €10 (kids go free).
An extremely well fed resident pig likes to snuffle around for leftovers at the open air café, and the boutique has every lavender-infused product imaginable.
Just behind the fields is a little camping car site, completely free of charge, subject to availability. There are no amenities, but waking up to a view over the lavender is pretty special.
For an even more spectacular view, drive the panoramic route along the Gorges of the Ardèche, only a couple of miles from the lavender farm, finishing just after the famous Pont d'Arc rock arch.
When to go: the season is long for the benefit of tourists; the lavender blooms here from late May and isn't cut until the end of August.
Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, Lyon
This is the smallest lavender field on the list, but it's the one you're likely to have all to yourself. Immense 2,200 hectare Miribel-Jonage is a sprawl of vegetation, lakes and a secret lavender field between central Lyon, France's third largest city, and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport.
Getting there by public transport is, quite frankly, a nightmare, and from the car parks it's a long walk to the lavender, but the route by e-bike is beautiful.
Most rental outlets in Lyon now supply electric bikes alongside regular bikes, making the nine mile cycle track along the canal to Miribel-Jonage a walk (or pedal) in the park. What's not so easy is finding the lavender field; follow this dropped pin on Google Maps.
When to go: mid-June to mid-July.
Domaine de Saint-Paulet, Saint-Restitut, Drôme-Provençale
It would take a lot to stop me waxing lyrical about the Drôme. There are heaps of lavender fields here, which in spite of the name Drôme-Provençale, aren't technically in Provence, and they're the winning combination of picture perfect and crowd free. So it goes without saying, they're pretty inaccessible.
A car is essential for exploring the Drôme, a hippie heartland where you'll often see people thumbing rides. Domaine de Saint-Paulet produces a heady combination of lavender, black truffles and wine on their 25-hectare estate.
The blue shuttered gîte is a beautiful backdrop, but the number one attraction here is the furry, four-legged truffle hunters.
When to go: mid-June to mid-July for lavender; December to March for truffles.
Bleudiois, Solaure en Diois, Drôme-Provençale
Also in the Drôme, this organic lavender farm is backed by the vast limestone cliffs of the southern Vercors. The rows of lavender at Bleudiois, set over 300 metres of varying altitude, create rivulets of purple through the landscape that look as smooth as running water.
Friendly staff readily explain the distilling process, and the boutique has a plethora of all organic, lavender infused produce, including lavender soap, lavender candles, lavender honey and lavender essential oils.
When to go: open daily for visitors between 10 July and 25 August, but to see the lavender in all its glory, go between mid-June and mid-July. The distillery welcomes visitors provided you email or call in advance to book an appointment.
Climate in France
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  7 |
 9 |
 12 |
 15 |
 20 |
 24 |
 27 |
27 |
 23 |
18 |
11 |
8 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  12 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
 13 |
10 |
 7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
The above guide shows the climate in Aubenas. Find out more about conditions across the country in our compete guide to the climate in France.
Ready to roam France's lavender fields? Find great value self-catering accommodation with Pierre & Vacances across various French regions.
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