30/03/2023 | Partner: Regione Valle d'Aosta
A journey through perfumes: the streets of lavender
Just say the word “lavender” and close your eyes. The image that immediately comes to mind is the endless lilac fields kissed by the sun. To immerse ourselves in that ideal postcard that we all know well we head to the symbolic place of Provence: the Valensole valley .
In this very fragrant valley there is the largest number of lavender fields. To see them in bloom and “get drunk” from their scent you have to visit this place from mid-June to mid-July, when the fields are still full of lavender.
From the Valensole plateau you can admire the entire chain of the Pre-Alps, the Dévoluy massif, Mont Denier, the Chiran, Moure de Chanier, Mont Lure, Mont Ventoux, the Sainte Victoire massif and Saint Baume.
The name of the Valensole valley already explains its particular position: here the sun shines for many hours a day to the point of making it a true “absolute valley”. The area is located in the Regional Nature Park of Verdon and extends for 800 square kilometers, between the lake of Sainte-Croix and the town of Manosque at an altitude of 500 meters.
To discover it, let’s start from Manosque, the beautiful Provençal town, with a historic center full of precious views and shaded squares. The writer Jean Giono lived here for many years, first in a house in the historic center, then in a small paradise near Le Paraïs. The city pays tribute to the artist by dedicating a Cultural Center and various events throughout the year. Do not miss a walk along the ancient ramparts of the center and its impressive gates, such as those of Soubeyran and Saunerie. The Gothic Church of San Salvatore di Manosque and the fascinating Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de Romigier, rebuilt from the 17th to the 19th century, that houses the Black Virgin, venerated for centuries by the inhabitants of the town who have elected her protector of Manosque. An excursion to the Mont d’Or hill and its medieval tower that survived the destruction of the castle is not to be missed in the surrounding area. Just 4 kilometers away is the Occitane en Provence factory, surrounded by a spectacular Mediterranean garden: here you can take a tour to discover the processing of the well-known brand of cosmetic treatments based on essential oils and natural ingredients.
From here we proceed to the Provençal village of Valensole with its characteristic alleys, immersed in the scents and colors of lavender. The festival dedicated to the most famous flowers in France takes place here in July.
Let’s continue the journey to Digne-les-Bains, the “capital of lavender”. At 650 meters above sea level, the small fortified town is full of testimonies of the past such as the beautiful Cathedral of St. Jerome, the crypt of Notre-Dame-du-Bourg, one of the largest in Europe. Then, there are the narrow streets around Place Juiverie, the ancient castle and the Bishop’s Square, protagonist in Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Misérables”.
Let’s wrap up the trip by heading towards the Verdon gorges, the largest canyon in Europe collects traces of early humans. In the village of Quinson, in fact, there is a very special place: the Prehistoric Site of the Verdon Gorges Prehistoric Museum, comprising five prehistoric dwellings and a dolmen that allow a full immersion in the lifestyle of the past and human history. From a landscape point of view, this is a paradise for hikers and sportsmen, with breathtaking landscapes to discover by motorcycle or bicycle. And even water lovers will not be disappointed: along the river Verdon you can practice many sports such as aqua-trekking, canoeing, rafting, hot dogging (ie the descent of the river on inflatable canoes), water rambling (mountain biking in the water) or for the more daring, floating (a sort of rafting without a boat using a floating backpack placed on your back).
Partner: Regione Valle d'Aosta
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