By Sylvia Arad | Submitted On May well 07, 2010


To enterprise to Provence in July is always to be shed within a purple coloured sea. Oceans of lavender everywhere - in patches, in waves, in excellent rows, field soon after field - the hillsides on the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are daubed in blue, mauve, gray and violet by terrific swathes of lavender in bloom. This is often harvest time in Provence's lavender locations - the tractors are rolling, the distilleries steaming and lavender festivals are in entire swing.

Lavender, the emblem of Provence, has become escalating here endlessly. Its official cultivation having said that is very new, and it has supplied rise to lavandin; a hybrid version utilized much more for industrial functions.

"Good" or genuine lavender is grown for its crucial oils. To qualify for that highly coveted AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) - France's maximum stamp of acceptance - the lavender must meet up with pretty stringent standards, its output limited to 284 villages and cultivated in regions previously mentioned 800 m from the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Drome and Vaucluse. Used for perfumes, in aromatherapy and medicinally, it need to also meet up with olfactory checks, and special harvesting and distillation processes.

Beneath the blazing Sunshine, this fragile plant is harvested by hand by families steeped in its traditions, who may have cultivated it for generations. It can be then dried for times prior to currently being distilled. The distillation course of action is made of passing steam with the dried flowers, which might be collected in bunches in a nevertheless to extract their vital oils. Many techniques are utilized with regards to the lavender's use. To generate one Liter of important oil, 287 lb. of fantastic lavender is utilised; for perfumes, the procedure is far more complicated taking up 2200 lbs. of lavender to produce three gallons of complete pure oil.

Provence Lavender Place Features Great Hiking Vacations and Biking Routes

Lavender conjures up spectacular vistas of blue fields, punctuated by purple poppies, a patchwork of gold grain and occasional strands of oak and pine which stretch in the hallucinatory blue horizon. This location is usually a biking and hiking paradise - biking routes abound for guests who desire to enterprise off- the-crushed-route to the "Route de Lavande" and Prestige Lavender Fields climbing holidays to the "Grande Randonne" trails are an adventurer's desire. The imposing Luberon Mountains and Vaucluse simple function the backdrop to the magnificent panoramas of ancient villages perched on hillsides; Using the scents of rosemary, thyme, savory and never minimum, lavender.

The "Route de Lavande" qualified prospects people by swathes of fragrant fields, gardens, distilleries, museums and villages. The various festivals, the most important hosted by Sault, show lavender floats and shows and give don't just bouquets and sachets, but all kinds of lavender-associated product - creamy honey, scented candles as well as aprons. Eating places supply lavender impressed menus and spas supply thermal baths and massages with lavender oil.