Provençal violet (France)

Castellane. 16th century bridge on Verdun river

The town of Castellane

The main square of Castellane

Chapelle de Notre Dame du Roc built on 184 m high rock on the village of Castellane

Chapelle de Notre Dame du Roc built on 184 m high rock on the village of Castellane

Castellane town

Digne Town on the Route Napoléon

Digne. Lavender Museum

Digne. Interior of Saint Jérome cathedral

The village of Valensole

The square of the fountain and the wash-house of Valensole

The square of the fountain and the wash-house of Valensole

The colored windows of Valensole

Alps overlook the lavender fields

Lavender fields between Digne and Valensole

Lavender fields in Valensole

The color and the scent of Provence enclosed in lavender flowers

Lavender fields alternate with wheat fields in a spectacular succession of colors

Lavender fields alternate with wheat fields in a spectacular succession of colors

Lavender fields alternate with wheat fields in a spectacular succession of colors

Lavender fields, the favorite destination for photographers who come to Provernce from all over the world

Not only the lavender fields offer suggestive landscapes

Not only the lavender fields offer suggestive landscapes

Every kilometer of road offers opportunities to stop to capture images and scents of Provence

Every kilometer of road offers opportunities to stop to capture images and scents of Provence

Every kilometer of road offers opportunities to stop to capture images and scents of Provence

A lavender distillery to extract the essences from the plant

A lavender distillery to extract the essences from the plant

Occitane, one of the most famous perfumery companies and cosmetics products in France

Lavandin, a more industrial variant with the finest lavender

Lavender, the most refined, perfumed and precious quality from which the best essences are extracted

Simiane la Rotonde. Des Agoult Castle, home of a famous lavender-based cosmetics production company

Simiane la Rotonde. Des Agoult Castle, home of a famous lavender-based cosmetics production company

Simiane la Rotonde. Des Agoult Castle. Exhibition hall open to internationally renowned artists

Simiane la Rotonde. The room dedicated to essences and perfumes based on lavender

Simiane la Rotonde. The room dedicated to essences and perfumes based on lavender

Simiane la Rotonde. The room dedicated to essences and perfumes based on lavender

Simiane la Rotonde. On the terrace to taste typical dishes of the Provence cuisine

The itinerary of this journey

By: Carlo Piccinelli

The lavander fieldf on Google Maps.
The journey in search of lavender begins in the mountains of Verdun, famous place for the lakes and canyons created by the river that meander through Maritime Alps, to end up in the hills of Simiane la Rotonde and plains of Valensole and Manosque. The journey in search of the perfumes and colors of Provence develops between 500 m and 1,500 m of altitude, the strip of lavender growth. Known and used since Roman times it has become important since, from the 14th century until the beginning of the 20th century, the European ruling houses and the lord of the Belle Époque raised the demand for essences and perfumes. At that time, the cultivations of aromatic plants made it so that many countries scattered between the plains and valleys of Provence, became famous all over the world. The main areas of use of lavender in various forms such as oil, distillates, powders and leaves, are cosmetics, medicine and herbal medicine. The period of flowering and harvesting depends on the type of plant, whether lavender or lavandin, from the weather conditions in spring, from the altitude and the latitude of the crops. In general, the higher the altitude, more the plant blooms and it is collected later. The best time to visit the region is during the months of May and June (flowering months) while at the end of June and July the cut and harvest begins. A journey of colors and perfumes but also tastes and aromas between wines and typical products of the region.
Links for more informations:
www.castellane-verdontourisme.com
www.valensole.fr
www.ville-manosque.fr
www.simiane-la-rotonde.fr
Atout France: www.france.fr