With quaint villages and rolling vineyards, and cuisine that incorporates lavender into its oils, honey and delicious sorbets, Provence is perhaps the best place in the world to see fields upon fields of lavender.
Lavender season in Provence sadly isn't a year-round affair. The best time to see the plants in bloom is from the last week of June to the beginning of August. Peak bloom is around mid-July – although this may vary year to year depending on the rainfall. In Provence, lavender fields are often found next door to sunny sunflower fields which are also best to enjoy in July and August, so if you want the best of both worlds, that's when to go.
While September is no doubt a lovely time to visit the Provence region, with fewer crowds and cooler weather, all of the lavender will have been harvested. Even in late August, you may cut it fine, so if your plan is to avoid the most crowds, your best bet is to go in July before the schools break for the summer holidays. Like many things it's best to be flexible if possible – so if you're thinking of heading to France for the lavender season next year, try to give yourself a couple of weeks so you can be sure to witness the fields at the peak of their beauty.
