Lavender field in the Baronnies provençales — Lavender at Vercoiran, above the Ouvèze valley. © VF

Getaway in Provençal Drôme

Lavender landscapes in the Baronnies provençales

Text and photographs by Vincent Flachaire

At Vercoiran and in the Toulourenc valley, rows of lavender follow the slopes. The fields border woods and orchards, beneath the ridges of the Baronnies and Mont Ventoux.

Around the Ouvèze and Toulourenc

On the eastern side of Provençal Drôme, the Baronnies can be explored from Nyons, Buis-les-Baronnies or Mollans-sur-Ouvèze. Above the Ouvèze, at Vercoiran, rows of lavender follow the contours of the land. Cultivated plots and woods share the slopes, with ridges on the horizon.

Further south, in the Toulourenc valley, lavender grows at the foot of the northern slopes of Mont Ventoux. Its long limestone face rises above the fields. From one valley to the next, the mountains change shape and the roads pass orchards, woods and lavender fields.

Lavender and hills in the Baronnies provençales — Lavender in the Toulourenc valley, at the foot of Mont Ventoux. © VF

The fields of Laborel and Izon-la-Bruisse

Around Laborel and Izon-la-Bruisse, in the Hautes-Baronnies, rows of lavender follow the rolling ground. Beyond the fields rise wooded slopes and limestone ridges.

Rows of lavender at Izon-la-Bruisse, beneath wooded slopes and limestone ridges in the Baronnies — Lavender at Izon-la-Bruisse, at the foot of wooded slopes and ridges. © VF

In the Baronnies, fine lavender and lavandin grow alongside orchards and pastures. Fine lavender mainly occupies the higher ground, while lavandin is grown at lower altitudes.

Rows of lavender near Laborel, with the hills of the Baronnies on the horizon — Lavender near Laborel, facing the hills of the Baronnies provençales. © VF

From wild gathering to lavender fields

In the second half of the 19th century, the perfume industry in Grasse sought aromatic plants from Haute-Provence. Gathering wild lavender developed in the Baronnies alongside the picking of lime blossom. Before the neatly planted rows, people harvested a plant that grew naturally on the slopes.

Today, the harvest supplies several activities. Some flowers are distilled to produce essential oil and floral water; others are cut and dried in bunches.

Lavender field beside a small road near Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas — Lavender near Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, in the Baronnies provençales. © VF

Flowering at different times across the valleys

Altitude, exposure and weather affect flowering times. In lower, well-exposed areas, the first colours may appear in late June. Higher up, the fields bloom later in July.

Harvesting then changes the landscape: a plot already cut may stand beside a field still in flower. Dates vary from year to year; the different areas are not all purple at the same time.

Flowering lavender in the Baronnies provençales — Flowering varies with the valley, altitude and harvesting dates. © VF

Continue your getaway in the Baronnies

In Montbrun-les-Bains, stone-paved lanes and fountains extend an outing among the lavender fields of the Hautes-Baronnies. Further west, the Roman bridge of Vaison-la-Romaine brings you back to the Ouvèze at the foot of the upper town.

The fields of Sault and the Albion plateau, the lavender fields of Valensole and the valley of Sénanque offer other walks around this crop.

Practical information

Seeing lavender in the Baronnies

Places featured: Vercoiran, the Toulourenc valley, the areas around Laborel and Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, and Izon-la-Bruisse.
Flowering: From late June through July, depending on the area and altitude. Weather and harvesting dates affect how long the flowers last.
Lavender festivals: Ferrassières, on the first Sunday in July; Saint-André-de-Rosans, usually on the second weekend in August. Producers’ markets and distillation demonstrations.
Museum and discovery centre: In Nyons, Bleu Provence distillery introduces lavender and its distillation. Near Serres, moulin du Paroy has a small museum of rural activities, including lavender distillation. Visits to the mill by reservation.

Local information: flowering periods · lavender in the Drôme.

Extend your stay

Guest houses in the Baronnies to extend the getaway

These properties listed on the Portal are within 25 km as the crow flies of the location featured in this getaway. Visit their websites to plan your stay.