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If
there is one aroma associated with Provence, it's lavande.
Flowering lavender fields can be seen mainly in the month of
July. These fields are generally harvested in late July through
August when the sweet purple flower is in full bloom.
Authentic
lavender farms are a dying breed today. A hybrid of lavande
fine (fine lavender) has been produced on a large scale for
industrial purposes since the 1950's. Approximately 80% of Provence's
lavender farms produce lavandin today. The few remaining traditional
lavender farms tend to colour the higher areas - wild lavender
needs an altitude of 900-1300m to bloosom unlike its more common
sister plant which can grow anywhere from 800m.
You
can enjoy the lavender gardens in bloom at the Abbaye de Senanque
among other well-known spots in Provence. The problem is, Lavander
blooms during the height of the tourism season - so, unless you
want to brave bus loads of international tourists, you might
want to miss seeing the Lavender fields in person in lieu of
visiting Provence during quieter, but equally beautiful months.
That
would be our recommendation, for sure!
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