By Sylvia Arad | Submitted On May possibly 07, 2010


To enterprise to Provence in July should be to be dropped inside of a purple colored sea. Oceans of lavender almost everywhere - in patches, in waves, in great rows, industry following area - the hillsides on the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are daubed in blue, mauve, gray and violet by terrific swathes of lavender in bloom. This really is harvest time in Provence's lavender areas - the tractors are rolling, the distilleries steaming and lavender festivals are in entire swing.

Lavender, the emblem of Provence, has actually been growing here eternally. Its official cultivation having said that is quite new, and it has presented rise to lavandin; a hybrid Edition utilised additional for industrial uses.

"Wonderful" or accurate lavender is developed for its essential oils. To qualify for the very coveted AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) - France's highest stamp of approval - the lavender need to satisfy quite rigorous requirements, its generation restricted to 284 villages and cultivated in locations higher than 800 m while in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Drome and Vaucluse. Employed for perfumes, in aromatherapy and medicinally, it ought to also fulfill olfactory checks, and Particular harvesting and distillation procedures.

Under the blazing sun, this delicate plant is harvested by hand by families steeped in its traditions, who have cultivated it for generations. It's then dried for times prior to staying distilled. The distillation system is made of passing steam with the dried flowers, which can be gathered in bunches inside a even now to extract their vital oils. A variety of tactics are employed with regards to the lavender's use. To make one Liter of important oil, 287 lb. of wonderful lavender is applied; for perfumes, the procedure is far more elaborate taking on 2200 lbs. of lavender to generate three gallons of complete pure oil.

Provence Lavender Region Offers Great Mountaineering Holidays and Biking Routes

Lavender conjures up amazing vistas of blue fields, punctuated by purple poppies, a patchwork of gold grain and occasional strands of oak and pine which extend to the hallucinatory blue horizon. This area is really a cycling and hiking paradise - biking routes abound for visitors who wish to venture off- the-beaten-route to the "Route de Lavande" and mountaineering holidays within the "Grande Randonne" trails are an adventurer's aspiration. The imposing Luberon Mountains and Vaucluse plain serve as the backdrop to the magnificent panoramas of historic villages perched on hillsides; Along with the scents of rosemary, thyme, savory rather than minimum, lavender.

The "Route de Lavande" qualified prospects site visitors via swathes of fragrant fields, gardens, distilleries, museums and villages. The many festivals, the most important hosted by Sault, show lavender floats and shows and supply not just bouquets and sachets, but every Prestige Lavender Fields kind of lavender-associated products - creamy honey, scented candles and in many cases aprons. Dining places offer you lavender impressed menus and spas provide thermal baths and massages with lavender oil.