Aix-en-Provence: Lavender Fields Tour & Valensole Plateau

Driving Through Lavender: Valensole Plateau & Sault in Peak Bloom

You're driven from Aix-en-Provence through the lavender fields of Valensole Plateau or Sault with a professional guide who explains the region's production and history. The tour includes multiple photo stops in the fields, transport by minibus, and either a half-day (morning or afternoon) or full-day option with free time at a farm or village. Timing depends on the blooming stage: mid-June through mid-July focuses on Valensole. Late July shifts to Sault and surrounding villages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lavender fields tour and photo stops

• Start morning Valensole tour
• Visit lavender fields
• Take photo stops
• Enjoy free time at lavender farm
• Stop at scenic Luberon village
• End afternoon Valensole tour

The experience

You drive out of Aix-en-Provence in an air-conditioned minibus, heading northeast toward the Luberon Valley where the lavender fields stretch across the plateau in unbroken rows. The guide (a local who knows the region) points out which fields are in their prime and which are past peak, because the timing matters. From mid-June through mid-July, the tour focuses on Valensole Plateau, where the violet blocks of lavender run to the horizon. After July 16th, the route shifts to Sault and the surrounding villages, where the blooming stage is different and the landscape opens up differently. You're not just driving past. The minibus stops at the best vantage points, and you get time to walk into the fields themselves, camera in hand.

The morning departure leaves at 8:30 am and wraps by 12:30 pm. Short enough if you want the rest of your day free, long enough to see the fields properly and understand how lavender production actually works here. Your guide explains the harvest cycle, the distillation process, why certain fields are planted where they are. If you choose the full-day option instead, you leave at 8 am and return around 5 pm, which gives you a longer stretch in the fields, a stop at a lavender farm or a village like Gordes or Saignon where you can walk around, eat lunch on your own, and soak in the Provençal rhythm without rushing. The afternoon tour runs 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm if you prefer to sleep in or spend your morning elsewhere in Aix.

The minibus holds a small group, not a coach full of people, so the stops feel less crowded than they might on a bigger tour. Children under 4 aren't permitted, which keeps the pace steady and the noise level manageable. The guide adjusts the exact stops and timing based on how the lavender is blooming that particular week. The itinerary is flexible because nature doesn't follow a fixed schedule. You'll shoot photos at multiple fields, and if you're on the full-day tour, you get free time to linger or explore a village at your own pace before heading back to Aix in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Your day includes air-conditioned minibus transport from Aix-en-Provence, a professional driver and guide, and multiple photo stops in the lavender fields.
• On the full-day tour, you also get free time at a lavender farm or Provençal village to explore at your own pace.
• Lunch is not included but can be purchased during village stops.

Options for this experience

4 options

Morning TourGuide in English or French · Available from 7 Jun 2027Tour in the morning from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Afternoon TourGuide in English or French · Available from 7 Jun 2027Afternoon tour from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Full day tour of ValensoleGuide in English or French · Available from 7 Jun 2027Valensole tour from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Full day tour of SaultGuide in English or French · Available from 8 Jul 2027Sault tour from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 7 Jun 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by A la Francaise Aix-en-Provence

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the lavender fields without arranging your own transport or timing the blooming season yourself. The guide handles both, adjusting the route based on what's actually in bloom that week.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

When is the best time to see lavender in Provence?

Peak bloom runs mid-June through mid-July for Valensole Plateau, and late July into early August for Sault. The tour operates during both windows with different stops depending on the season.

How long is the lavender fields tour from Aix-en-Provence?

Morning and afternoon tours run 4 hours each (8:30 am–12:30 pm or 1:30 pm–5:30 pm). The full-day option runs 8 am to 5 pm and includes free time at a farm or village.

Is lunch included in the full-day tour?

Lunch is not included, but the full-day tour includes a stop in a village or at a lavender farm where you can eat on your own before continuing.

What's included in the tour price?

Transport by air-conditioned minibus, a professional driver and guide, and photo stops at lavender fields. Entry to any farm or village is your own cost.

Will the itinerary change if I book for a specific date?

Yes. The guide adjusts stops and timing based on which fields are in bloom that week. Valensole is the focus mid-June to mid-July. Sault and surrounding villages from late July onward.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though you will walk into the fields and around villages during free time stops.