Lavender at the Plateau de Valensole

tarik koivisto luxe provence lavender fields

I grabbed a friend and off we went to the Plateau de Valensole to capture the magic of lavender season in full-swing in Provence. This is a must-visit experience for locals and visitors alike. Truly Luxe Provence! 

lavender fields provence valensole

The fields are generally in bloom from the end of June to mid-July, depending on the season, prior to being cut for production. The Plateau de Valensole is located in the Haute-Provence in the Parc Naturel Regional du Verdon  at an elevation of 590 meters altitude over 800m2 on the magnificent plateau covering 12,700 hectares overlooking the Verdon! A visual sea of lavender. 

lavender fields of provence plateau de valensole

The plateau produces both lavender and lavandin and you can visit many of the distilleries and the museum. There are many varieties of lavender, but the only true lavender, or lavender aspic, is used for medicinal purposes, may be ingested and is used in perfumery. The true lavender must grow above 500 meters of elevation. Lavandin is a hybrid, with a stronger slightly camphorous scent that produces more essential oil per kilo and can be grown at lower elevations and may be found growing in valleys.

lavender fields in provence, plateau de valensole

Luxe Provence Plateau de Valensole Photoshoot images: Provence Lavender Field & Louise Pascal  in our Tablier Dress images (2 -4) by: Tarik Koivisto. Tarik Koivisto image (1) in the fields by Melanie Jacquier.