The Provence lavender fields are among the best in the world, and they’re certainly the most famous. Come early summer, when the spring poppies have all but disappeared, bright lavender flowers transform landscape into a patchwork of colour. Be warned that season is short and at its best in early July.

I am happy this year to have caught the lavender also in our own private field when it is at its peak. Brilliant colour and scent.

There are many excellent places in the Luberon to view the expansive fields of lavender. Be forewarned in the Luberon the window for viewing is short as the fields are often harvested by mid-July.

One of the best photo opportunities for viewing lavender in the Luberon is at L’abbe de Sénanque, the Cistercian abbey near Gordes. Positioned in a valley surrounded by acres of lavender, it is a must stop for most visitors to the region. Go early and visit the fully functioning abbey with its fascinating gift shop of the products produced by the monks. *2020 update – the lavender field directly in front of the abbey has been replanted last year, so they remain small this year. The other fields around the abbey remain.

The best nearby place for viewing lavender in the Luberon is just off the N900 on D178A (exit for Oppede), where there is a beautiful field frame by the Luberon mountains. It is easily approached for photography, with fewer tourists.  The fields near Apt and Buoux are also close and worthy of a stop. Start at the intersection of the D232 and D113 and carry on down the road towards Apt and you’ll find many fields worthy of attention, again fields easily approached for photography, with no tourists. Be forewarned in the Luberon the window for viewing is short as the fields are often harvested by mid-July.

For a longer viewing window, aim for the spectacular Sault lavender fields or around Banon where you can find to lavender in bloom until the first half of August.

Lavender has been used for centuries in the region to add fragrance to homes and clothes drawers.

Many enjoy lavender as an essential oil which can be bought in most markets or you can visit local distielleries like the Distillerie Les Agnels to view the process and buy the essential oils. For those of you who’d like a bit of background on the subject, you could take in a trip to the Le Musée de la Lavande: , in the quietly charming dry stone village of Cabrières d’Avignon. From the start of July to mid August they showpiece distillation techniques from the early 1900’s using a traditional open flame still. They also sell many lavender based products

I prefer my lavender dried as an authentic potpourri or kept in small linen sacks I tuck into pillowcases or drawers and wardrobes. You can buys filled sacks in the markets or fill or your own. They make a very welcome gift from the region. Scenting linens with lavender can help enhance sleep and in wardrobes it is said to repel moths. Although people love the smell of lavender, mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects hate it. Place tied bouquets in your home to help keep flies, moths, and mosquitoes outdoors.