The Lavender of Provence | Photo Gallery

French Provence has to be one of the most beautiful areas of France that I have had the pleasure of visiting. It had long been on my list of must visit places, so last summer I decided to make the trip and was certainly not disappointed!

Traveling through lavender filled valleys, driving past field upon field of bright yellow sunflowers, and spending lazy days spent sipping French coffee over a croissant makes for a wonderfully relaxing holiday.

It is no surprise that the region proved to be such an inspiration to the likes of Cezanne and Monet.

The following photographs were taken in and around Sault, on the high plateau in the foothills of Mont Ventoux.

If you time your trip right and arrive in late July or early August you get to see field upon field of lavender interspersed with the ripe yellow wheat fields, and driving in you should get to see the fields of sunflowers in full bloom; another flower often associated with the region. If you can be in Sault for the 14th or 15th of August you will get to see the annual lavender festival, where just about every possible use of lavender showcased and the full range of lavender products sold at market stalls throughout the town. There are also plenty of lavender related activities, games and competitions to add to the fun.

However there is usually a town or village with something on during July and August, such as the Montbrun des Bains festival on the first Sunday in July. Check tourist information when you arrive and you will be directed to the best places to visit.

France is well known for its lavender; however the lavender of Provence is different from that grown in the alps. Alpine lavender is of the highest quality and tends to be used for expensive perfumes, with high alpine lavender essential oil highly prized the world over. Provence lavender is used in the production of cosmetics, soaps and perfumes, in particular the L'Occitane range of health and beauty products; however the majority of this lavender is used commercially for the production of air fresheners and laundry detergent.

There are 39 species of lavender around the world, with the plant belonging to the mint family, which also includes oregano, thyme, sage and rosemary. While all of these have culinary uses, don't discount lavender! French lavender ice cream is wonderfully fragrant,and is well worth seeking out. Lavender is also used to scent various sweet dishes, and the honey produced by bees feeding exclusively on the flowers is heavenly, with a wonderful floral aroma and a rich and creamy texture. The floral scents of lavender are increasingly being used for culinary purposes, especially in higher class restaurants throughout Europe. Lavender is also used to fragrance teas, and herbal infusions to help the body and mid relax after a hard days work!

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) known also as rue lavender, grows at high elevation, and is found between 600M and 1500M, and you will find clumps of it growing wild in the region at higher altitudes. This species produces a high quality essential oil with a wonderful aroma, and is cultivated for the production of the finest essential oil.

Lavandula latifolia or aspic lavender grows around 600-800 meters and has a high camphor content, making it unsuitable for many commercial applications. However the Lavender of Provence is mostly a cross breed of the two, which makes up around 80% of the lavender from Provence. This Grosso lavandin, or hybrid lavender, is much hardier and resilient, and produces a high yield of essential oils, with the camphor giving it a distinctive aroma quite different from the true lavender grown in the Alps. Grosso Lavandin produces 2-3 times the levels of essential oils, and is robust and can be easily harvested by machine making it more commercially viable.

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils, and is used extensively in aromatherapy for its warm and relaxing aroma. Lavender is a great stress reliever and can ease anxiety and is excellent for ensuring a good nights sleep. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow at night, and you are sure to have a refreshing, deep and relaxing sleep. Even better, when used with a carrier oil, it makes for the most sensuous and relaxing aromatherapy massage, or in an oil burner will create a wonderfully relaxing aroma and ambiance in any room in the house.

Lavender also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and can speed up the healing of wounds, and is good to use on insect bites, cuts and grazes. It has been used since time immemorial for the treatment of various mental and physical ailments, with the ancient Greeks and Romans using the plant medicinally, as well as for perfumes.