Provence & Lavender Tour from Nice: Valensole Plateau & Moustiers

Lavender fields, a medieval village, and a mountain lake in one day from the coast

A full-day shared tour from Nice into Provence's interior, with hotel pickup and an air-conditioned minibus. The route moves through the Valensole Plateau's lavender fields (where you stop to photograph and then tour a working processing plant), then climbs to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a fortified village ranked among France's most beautiful, before descending to Lac de Sainte-Croix, a clear-water reservoir set between the Gorges du Verdon and the Alps.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Provence highlights and lavender fields

• Visit Sainte Croix lake
• Photograph lavender fields
• Tour Moustiers-Sainte-Marie village

The experience

You start from your Nice hotel or a designated meeting point and travel inland by minibus with a live guide speaking English, Spanish or French. The drive takes you away from the coast into the rolling farmland of Provence, where the landscape shifts from Mediterranean scrub to the open plateau that holds the region's famous lavender. The guide provides live commentary throughout, framing what you're seeing as the minibus climbs toward the interior.

The first major stop is the Valensole Plateau, where the lavender fields open up across the horizon. You have time to walk among the plants, photograph them against the sky, and absorb the scale of what makes this region recognizable from postcards. From there, the tour moves to a lavender processing plant located in the heart of the fields, where a guided walk shows how the crop becomes oil, soap and fragrance: a working operation, not a museum. Then you head to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a village of roughly 600 people perched on a hillside and enclosed by ramparts. The architecture includes fountains, an ancient aqueduct, and ceramics in blue that the village has produced for centuries. You walk through the narrow streets and have time to explore on your own before the group reconvenes.

The final stop is Lac de Sainte-Croix, an artificial reservoir of clear water set in a wooded valley between the Alpes de Haute Provence and the Var department. The lake sits at the foot of the Gorges du Verdon, and the stop gives you time to stand at the water's edge and take in the setting before the minibus returns you to Nice. The full day runs nine hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nice or meeting point pickup.
• transport by air-conditioned minibus.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• guided tour of a lavender processing plant.
• driver's meal and toll fees.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 16 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish, Spanish 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.

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Smartour Riviera

Is this one for you?The tour runs nine hours with walking at three main stops (the lavender fields, the village streets of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and the lake shore), so it suits anyone comfortable with a full day out and moderate movement on foot. A minimum age of 12 applies, and the minibus is wheelchair accessible with accessible facilities at all stops, though the village's narrow streets and hillside setting involve some uneven terrain.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

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.

What is the Valensole Plateau like when you arrive?

The Valensole Plateau is an open expanse of lavender fields stretching across rolling terrain. You stop there to walk among the plants and photograph them, then tour a lavender processing plant located in the fields to see how the crop is harvested and processed into oils and fragrances.

Is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie really one of the most beautiful villages in France?

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. It sits on a hillside enclosed by ramparts, with fountains, an ancient aqueduct, and narrow streets lined with buildings. The village is also known for its blue ceramics, a craft tradition that continues there.

What can you do at Lac de Sainte-Croix?

Lac de Sainte-Croix is a clear-water reservoir set in a wooded valley at the foot of the Gorges du Verdon. The tour stops there so you can walk to the water's edge, take in the mountain setting, and photograph the lake before returning to Nice.

Does the tour include food?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You'll want to bring water and snacks, or plan to buy lunch in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or elsewhere during the stops.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying outside Nice?

Hotel pickup is included if you're staying in Nice. If you're not, you can meet the minibus at a designated meeting point instead.