Verdon Gorges & Lavender Fields: A Traveler’s Review

So, you know, France. It’s that destination that pretty much sits high on so many travel lists. Two specific spots, the Verdon Gorges and the Lavender Fields of Provence, just shine as those picture-postcard spots. We’re talking really unbelievably beautiful places. I thought I’d offer my experience visiting these stunning natural spectacles, highlighting all those details to help you shape a possible exploration.

Planning Your Trip: When to Go

That thing to think about first is really picking when to make the visit. Seriously, that can affect your whole trip a lot. I feel you’ll have two peaks to keep an eye on here. For the Lavender Fields, peak bloom happens late June to early August. What you get then are those amazing, wide views of the violet colored plants, that look a bit unreal in some spots. Yet, it’s when things get busiest so that could change some elements. Then for the Verdon Gorges, you will get way warmer temps from about May to September, which, actually, is perfect should you feel like canyoning, swimming, or any activity that has to do with the lake’s waters.

It could be said that maybe that sweet spot is possibly visiting in June or September. In this case, you find fewer people than in July/August. Actually, you still get really decent weather, and probably still get to admire some good color coming from the lavender, yet not the complete peak bloom, more or less. Consider what’s most essential to the way you envision the visit and make plans that are fitted to it. Just that I guess is the key really.

Getting There: Transportation Options

Okay, getting to these little pockets of beauty isn’t really super straightforward; like your normal hop-off-the-train destination, but, in a way, this contributes greatly to that isolated appeal, if you get me? Having your own transport is easily the recommended choice here, but it will require an international driving license from your homeland country. I personally hired a car from Nice Airport, that’s seemingly what most folks do. Right after, it was just a pleasurable scenic driving experience to the Verdon Gorges, which took approximately 2 and a half hours.

Now, so to speak, should you want alternatives, a combination of trains and buses is achievable but, it can really chew up more of that precious travel time. There are public transportation options heading close to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the village right by the Gorges, though frequencies will not be the best thing. As for those Lavender Fields, towns like Valensole or Sault may need a little pre-planned bus connection coming from bigger cities such as Aix-en-Provence. This just is one of those cases where doing the driving, just opens chances. More or less.

Exploring the Verdon Gorges: Activities and Viewpoints

Oh boy, now, that’s when the real stuff commences. Honestly, the Verdon Gorges just is a wonderland when you find yourself among some striking cliffs, as you gaze right down to that sparkling, turquoise water. I made that route “Route des Crêtes,” a windy scenic route offering stunning panoramic perspectives. Each corner turned really appeared better compared to what preceded. You will find places for setting your camera as well, you will want to.

Arguably, experiencing Verdon’s true nature means moving on to its waters. Basically, you’ll get that rental of kayaks or pedalos around places such as Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. You just cruise into the gorge itself. Is that super unreal? I suggest packing that picnic so as to find your secluded area beside the lake. The sensations can be magical.

Now for folks wanting a real adrenaline rush, then canyoning really becomes a very much exciting opportunity to investigate the interior canyons. With that supervision of experienced instructors. Of course! Also for individuals like me, that prefer to simply remain dry, then countless hiking routes surrounding Verdon will let visitors of varying fitness capacity discover remote viewpoints, wildlife, all while taking photographs. More or less.

Wandering Through Lavender Fields: Best Spots and Tips

Honestly, those Lavender Fields… I cannot quite depict how spectacular those were. Driving that Valensole Plateau just feels like a trip straight to an impressionist painting that seemingly got up close and felt you. To be honest, some recommendations could involve things such as arriving very early in the day to stay away from crowds, really get those dream-like images with softer light and generally that much quieter atmosphere.

Very seemingly that must-see point happens to be at Valensole, however don’t just stop there. Try those lesser-known paths towards places such as Sault and also towards the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque right by Gordes; in this case, that is where you get to see violet blooms framing a wonderful piece of architecture. We certainly thought it could provide an absolutely spectacular experience in pictures.

Just remember to just be considerate whenever visiting. Like, remain respectful of local growers, don’t tramp on plants basically for the sake of photographs, and I thought, whenever practical, go buy Lavender items at farms nearby! It makes that visit more meaningful; similarly to the way that you give support to the people involved in maintaining what amounts to essentially this beautiful spectacle every year! Very neat.

Accommodation: Where to Stay

Picking where to base yourselves may significantly shape your overall experience while visiting these destinations. If planning to spend all your days examining both Gorges along with Lavender, you should stay in the center, such as within the neighborhood of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie; seemingly, it delivers direct proximity when getting towards Verdon. Also a handful of the lavender routes. Just in Moustiers, you could enjoy the charm coming from one village classed among France’s most lovely.

Should seeing more lavender turns out being your prime intent, then consider selecting to reside around Valensole and around Riez. These regions permit accessibility to the lavender heartland more or less. If you seek one much more serene escape far from most tourist crowds, explore remote hotels and even countryside guesthouses scattered all through that surrounding area. A couple of them will supply a seriously charming, traditional Provençal style.

As a matter of fact, reserving accommodations early could be necessary mostly through peak times. Especially July and August, to find just more choice together with superior deals! Is that what you want or don’t want? Depending if or not to just be luxurious. Consider searching for campgrounds. Many exist within the region and can deliver an up-close experience!

Food and Drink: Local Specialties to Try

Alright, really don’t leave Provence without getting a taste of all that spectacular cooking! And actually I did make an attempt to absorb as many neighborhood flavors as I possibly can! Arguably, getting begun with Herbes de Provence. Well, those fragrant herb combinations add greatly to many recipes! We also located some put directly to regional goat cheese, that had been, truly, memorable.

Arguably, those markets across Provence often provide socca. Okay, which represents just chickpea flatbread usually offered being that appealing road food; basically make sure you find and check. Actually. Olive oil fanatics also should go to some nearby mills; is that where tours present the crushing together with production cycle before sampling and purchasing fragrant blends. In this instance, you could bring authentic flavors towards your household, for instance.

Just by Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Check around for those glazed earthenware bits, usually “faience.” You could try just those standard dishes within community diners and find people using it that is almost certainly really really gorgeous.

Tips for Responsible Travel

Visiting amazing places means doing that travel sustainably plus responsibly. Whenever checking out spots around Verdon Gorges. So that can include remaining found through specified pathways not to result any erosion or affect community flowers. I do not understand all of it. Is that really correct for someone?

And when appreciating people at Lavender Fields. I just suggest often steer clear when tramping through actual vegetation for images but rather capture those photographs on boundaries not result disturbance towards farms’ operation at all really. Okay you should bring trash bags after trekking, or generally go after people to preserve scenery thoroughly unpolluted and ideal generally. Buy things with neighborhood manufacturers if that ever can be done plus honor conventional culture and legacy in some way too it’s practically usually the most important! It almost supports overall preservation efforts directly for several more several decades.

Okay seriously remember any smallest work will give assistance towards keeping this wonderful attraction protected! Even though you can expect even people, down the line for a long while will likely get every option in this world in which.

• Plan your visit around the peak bloom and weather conditions.
• Consider renting a car for greater flexibility.
• Explore both popular and lesser-known spots.
• Respect the environment and local communities.
• Savor the local cuisine and products.

Alright these two regions from France offer experiences really beyond amazing. Very well in case planning diligently, experiencing what’s locally flavored but yet traveling smartly. We’re making those minutes into what appears to be absolutely memorable. Get pleasure from those trips and good occasions with your own personal discovery coming around through Verdon Gorges also during France’s Lavender Fields also in the area a short while down this pathway, to be absolutely true!!!