Nothing says summer in Provence like the sweeping fields of lavender in full bloom – the wondrous colour, that subtle scent, a brush of flower on the hand, the hum of bees at work – lavender appeals to all the senses. And it is known as ‘blue gold’ because it’s a valuable crop too, its essential oil a staple of perfumes and soaps. In Provence the lavender fields conspire with the landscapes and perched villages to make stunning technicolor scenes.

“Lavender is the soul of Provence”
Jean Giono