| To venture to Provence in July is to be lost in a | | | | perfumes, the process is even more complex taking |
| purple colored sea. Oceans of lavender everywhere - | | | | over 2200 lbs. of lavender to yield 3 gallons of |
| in patches, in waves, in perfect rows, field after field | | | | absolute pure oil. |
| - the hillsides of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are | | | | Provence Lavender Country Offers Great Hiking |
| daubed in blue, mauve, grey and violet by great | | | | Vacations and Biking Routes |
| swathes of lavender in bloom. This is harvest time in | | | | Lavender conjures up breathtaking vistas of blue |
| Provence's lavender regions - the tractors are rolling, | | | | fields, punctuated by red poppies, a patchwork of |
| the distilleries steaming and lavender festivals are in | | | | gold grain and occasional strands of oak and pine |
| full swing. | | | | which stretch into the hallucinatory blue horizon. This |
| Lavender, the emblem of Provence, has been | | | | region is a cycling and hiking paradise - biking routes |
| growing here forever. Its formal cultivation however | | | | abound for visitors who wish to venture off- |
| is rather new, and has given rise to lavandin; a hybrid | | | | the-beaten-path on the "Route de Lavande" and |
| version used more for industrial purposes. | | | | hiking vacations on the "Grande Randonne" trails are |
| "Fine" or true lavender is grown for its essential oils. | | | | an adventurer's dream. The imposing Luberon |
| To qualify for the highly coveted AOC (Appellation of | | | | Mountains and Vaucluse plain serve as the backdrop |
| Controlled Origin) - France's highest stamp of | | | | to the magnificent panoramas of ancient villages |
| approval - the lavender must meet very strict | | | | perched on hillsides; with the scents of rosemary, |
| criteria, its production limited to 284 villages and | | | | thyme, savory and not least, lavender. |
| cultivated in regions above 800 m in the | | | | The "Route de Lavande" leads visitors through |
| Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Drome and Vaucluse. | | | | swathes of fragrant fields, gardens, distilleries, |
| Used for perfumes, in aromatherapy and medicinally, | | | | museums and villages. The many festivals, the largest |
| it must also meet olfactory tests, and special | | | | hosted by Sault, exhibit lavender floats and displays |
| harvesting and distillation processes. | | | | and offer not only bouquets and sachets, but every |
| Under the blazing sun, this delicate plant is harvested | | | | kind of lavender-associated product - creamy honey, |
| by hand by families steeped in its traditions, who | | | | scented candles and even aprons. Restaurants offer |
| have cultivated it for generations. It is then dried for | | | | lavender inspired menus and spas offer thermal baths |
| days before being distilled. The distillation process | | | | and massages with lavender oil. |
| consists of passing steam through the dried flowers, | | | | This sun-drenched region, with its patchwork of olive |
| which are gathered in bunches in a still to extract | | | | groves, ochre, platinum and mauve fields, its scents, |
| their essential oils. Various techniques are used | | | | tastes and sights epitomizes the very best the South |
| depending on the lavender's use. To produce 1 Liter | | | | of France has to offer. |
| of essential oil, 287 lb. of fine lavender is used; for | | | | |