Provence in Bloom – When to See Lavender, Poppies, Sunflowers & More!
Few places in the world put on a floral display quite like Provence does. This is a region of France where the landscape transforms with each passing season, where you can be driving by country fields bursting with bright yellow rapeseed one month and brimming with scarlet poppies the next.
By summer, the region’s iconic lavender fields are at their most spectacular, and sunflowers adorn the countryside with their unabashed beauty. In the cooler months, wildflowers forge their way up through the earth in even the most unforgiving of terrain.
For those looking to experience Provence beyond the usual postcard moments, following the flower seasons offers a fresh perspective on the region. It allows you to appreciate the way in which these blooms shape the culture and traditions of Provence.
In this guide, I’ll take you on a journey through the flower seasons of Provence, as I’ve experienced them over the years. I’ll share the best times to visit for each bloom and where you’re most likely to find them. From the first blush of almond blossom, to the saffron harvest in Autumn, Provence is always in bloom – it’s just waiting to be explored.
Spring Flowers in Provence (March – May)
Spring is the most colourful time to visit Provence. Before winter has even departed, pops of colour can be seen emerging from the reawakened earth. The breeze carries the delicate fragrance of fruit tree blossoms, and barren meadows become a tapestry of colour, as tulips, irises, and wildflowers fill the landscape.
This is one of the best times to enjoy Provence, and as you explore the region’s markets, villages and festivals in the gentle warmth of Spring, you’ll be delighted by the variety of flowers on display.
Related Reading: Best Places to Visit in France in Spring
Almond Blossom
Almond trees starting to flower are one of the first signs of spring in Provence, typically appearing toward the end of February and into March, when the countryside is still shaking off the winter chill. The delicate white and pink petals of almond blossom create a contrast against the crisp blue sky that the South of France is known for.
Our first home in Provence was in Alleins, a small village that has been involved in the cultivation of almonds for centuries. These days there’s still a beautiful almond grove on the edge of the old town, and every September, once the crop is harvested, there’s a festival to celebrate this versatile nut.
During the festival, you can partake in workshops, sample nougat and almond flavoured pastries, and learn more about its importance to the region.
Where to see almond blossom
As well as Alleins, you can see almond trees flowering throughout the Luberon. You don’t need a map – if you’re travelling throughout the region in early spring, their early blooms stand out against the otherwise bare earth.
Irises
Irises bloom in Provence from April to May, but it’s not unusual to find wild ones popping up in March in some parts of Provence. One year, in our garden north of Aix-en-Provence, we even had a few colourful blooms at the end of February!
While the wild Irises can be seen anywhere and everywhere around the region during Spring, the Iris farms are at their best during late April & May. Grown for the perfume industry in Grasse, their beauty is fleeting. And interestingly, it’s the roots, not the flowers themselves, that are used in fine fragrances.
Where to see them?
Sown in the shadow of Sainte-Victoire, the Iris farms can be found in the area between the towns of Rousset and Trets in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Follow the country lanes (not the main highway), such as Chemin du Défend, and keep your eyes peeled.
Alternatively, head higher up to the Drôme department, where you can visit Iris farms such as Pépinière Lanthelme Thierry. From the last week of April, to the third week of May, this grower opens their doors so you can see the Iris varieties (more than a thousand of them!) they cultivate.
Tulips
Tulip season in Provence is an exciting time, as it only lasts a couple of short weeks. Typically starting in late March, the tulips burst into a rainbow of colour. But it’s a spectacle that doesn’t last long. As these blooms are grown for their bulbs, they’re typically beheaded not long after they flower, so as to preserve energy and produce the healthiest bulbs.
That said, the tulips bloom at different times, so at any one time you can still expect to see rows of neatly plotted colour filling the fields of the northern Luberon.
Where to see tulips in bloom
Most of the tulip growers are concentrated in the triangle between Lurs, Focalquier, and La Brillanne. The exact locations vary year on year, but I’ve plotted some of the usual spots in this article about the tulip bloom in Provence.
Rapeseed
While it may not be the most exciting crop on the list, flowering rapeseed fields absolutely brighten the landscape come spring, and it’s an intoxicating sight. Typically blooming in April and early May, rapeseed (colza in French) is cultivated for its oil – which is used in cooking, biodiesel, and cosmetics.
When in full bloom, the bright yellow flowers create a striking contrast against the blue skies and stone farmhouses. These early bloomers also contribute to the local honey production, as they’re a valued nectar source for hungry bees.
Where to see rapeseed fields in Provence
Like most agricultural crops, rapeseed fields are rotated year on year – so they never pop up in the exact same spot. However, they can be seen throughout the region, so you won’t have to go searching. We often see fields in the country roads around Aix-en-Provence, and in the Luberon Valley.
Poppies
One of the most popular flower seasons in Provence is poppy season. The time where countryside lanes burst, seemingly overnight, with a blanket of scarlet-red blooms. These wildflowers, known as coquelicots in French, grow at random around the region, often popping up in surprising places!
From April to May, keep your eyes peeled for crimson fields as you cruise along countryside lanes. The start of poppy season feels like the start of summer (even when in reality, that’s still a month or so off). Helping May feel like the dreamiest month to visit Provence.
Where to find Poppy fields in Provence
Being a wildflower, it’s not a given that you’ll find poppies in the same spots every year. But being self-propagating flowers, chances are, you’ll find them nearby! Some of my favourite fields have been around the villages of Ansious and Cadenet in the Luberon, and nearby the Etang de la Bonde (lake). But we’ve found equally beautiful fields driving home on the outskirts of Aix!
Summer in Full Bloom (June – August)
Summer is the season of Abundance in Provence. When the landscapes display their most iconic and breathtaking displays of botanic artistry. This is the season of lavender, sunflowers and sage. It’s when festivals take place to celebrate the floral heritage of the region, and when you can smell the sweet scent of aromatic blooms on the air.
Arguably the most brilliant displays can be found in and around the Valensole Plateau, where lavender, sunflowers, and sage bloom in abundance. But the entire region celebrates this season with flesh cut flowers adorning market stalls, boutique lavender farms having pop-up shops in the Luberon, and aperos taking place among the flowering fields.
Related Reading: Best Places to Visit in France in Summer
Lavender
Ah, lavender season. My favourite time of year, and a major drawcard for those wishing to visit Provence. It’s truly magical to witness the lavender bloom in Provence. Whether you’re touring the smaller lavender farms of the Luberon Valley, the large and sprawling fields of Valensole, or the late blooming fine lavender varietals of the Sault area – you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Spend your days driving lavender-lined roadsides, pausing for a picnic, visiting distilleries, or sampling lavender honey fresh from the farm. It’s a busy time in the area, but there’s a celebratory air to the season as school’s out, summer is in full swing, and the towns and villages are buzzing with life.
Where to see Lavender in Provence
The three main areas to see lavender in Provence are the Luberon, the Valensole Plateau, and the Sault Plateau. Timings vary for each region, with the Luberon generally being the first to flower around mid-June. Valensole follows close behind, and Sault flowers later in the season due to its elevated position.
Having experienced many years of lavender blooms in Provence, I’ve put together the following guides to help you plan your travels.
- Best Lavender Fields of Provence
- Driving the Valensole Lavender Route
- Guide to the Luberon Lavender Fields
- Sault Lavender Fields Tour
Sunflowers
Sunflowers often bloom alongside the region’s lavender fields, with their golden faces in full splendor throughout July and early August. They’re grown primarily for their oil-rich seeds, so unlike the lavender, which gets harvested mid-bloom, the sunflowers get to enjoy a long flowering season before being harvested.
Found in the agricultural areas of the region, their presence brings gasps of wonder as you find a field in the wild. Buzzing with the sound of busy bees, it’s a joy to experience these giant flowers en masse.
Where to find sunflower fields in Provence
Sunflower fields can pop up in the most surprising of places around the Provence region. Even gracing you with their presence as you drive along the autoroute. But if you want to plan a visit, simply head to the same areas where you find lavender. Some of my favourite fields have been found in the Luberon Valley beneath the village of Bonnieux, and by the lavender distillery Terraroma in the Valensole Plateau.
Clary Sage
Clary sage is a lesser-known floral treasure of the Provence region, which is often overshadowed by the lavender fields that grow alongside it. Blooming from late May to early July, the aromatic herb creates a dreamy landscape with its pink and purple pastel tones.
Cultivated for its oils, it’s used in perfumes and herbal remedies for its calming and hormone-balancing properties.
Where to find Clary Sage fields in Provence
Clary sage is grown throughout the region, but the most prominent fields are in the Valensole Plateau. Its exact location will vary, as it’s often rotated. But if you drive the Valensole lavender route, you’ll likely stumble across a gorgeous sage field or two.
Autumn & Winter Surprises (September – February)
As the summer heat fades, Provence transitions into a quieter period. The tourists disperse, the locals are back at work and school, and the leaves gradually turn from green to golden. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful time to visit still, but bright blooms give way to sporadic wildflowers as the land rests.
Saffron crocuses, with their vibrant purple petals, emerge in hidden pockets of the countryside, and cyclamen and wild violets brighten forest trails. Late winter brings a colourful surprise with the blooming of Mimosa throughout the Côte d’Azur.
Mimosa
Mimosa flowers are the perfect antidote to cold winter days. Their bright yellow blooms hint at the summer days to follow. With feathery, delicate flowers, and a subtle scent, you’ll find mimosas adorning flower market stalls from late January through to March.
Where to see Mimosa in bloom
You can see Mimosa trees throughout the region, particularly close to the Mediterranean coastline. But the most famous Mimosa forests are found along the aptly named Route de Mimosa, stretching from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, where their fragrance is used in perfumery.
Come February, you can celebrate these canary yellow flowers with the annual Mimosa festival in Mandelieu-la-Napoule.
Provence is a region where nature paints the landscape with an ever-changing palette of colours. From the delicate white and blush-pink blossoms of early spring, to the vibrant red poppies and startling displays of lavender – this is an area of France that will delight you with its floral tapestry and rich agricultural heritage.
The flower seasons of Provence truly invite visitors to slow down, and savour the uniqueness of each passing month.
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