About this tour
Four-hour shared tour from Aix en Provence's city centre into the rolling lavender plateaux of Provence. You'll spend time across Le Plateau de Valensole's most striking fields, then visit a working lavender producer to watch how essence is extracted and learn the botanical distinction between true lavender and lavendin. An English-speaking guide leads the group in an air-conditioned vehicle, covering roughly 80 kilometres of Provençal countryside.
Highlights
- Plateau de Valensole's most photographed lavender expanses
- Behind-the-scenes look at commercial essence production
- Learn lavender versus lavendin cultivation methods
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout
- Air-conditioned transport from city centre
- Works for all fitness levels
What to expect
You'll depart central Aix en Provence and head southeast into agricultural Provence. The bulk of the tour unfolds across Le Plateau de Valensole, where purple fields stretch to the horizon—timing varies, so flowering peaks from late June through mid-August. Expect roughly two hours among the fields, with stops for photos and walking. The producer visit takes about an hour; you'll observe distillation equipment, hear explanations of yield differences between varieties, and understand why lavendin is cheaper and more common commercially. The van ride covers some distance, so bring water.
Good to know
Book ahead, as shared tours fill quickly during peak season. Fields are sometimes harvested before August ends, so confirm flowering status before booking. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes for walking through fields. Pets are not permitted. Infant seats available on request.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.