A day in the Lavenders and Villages of Provence

About this tour

Arnaud guides you through lavender-blanketed Provence across eight to nine hours, weaving between the 11th-century Abbey of Sénanque and two distinctive villages. You'll explore Gordes, a stone settlement perched on a rocky outcrop, then pause at its panoramic vantage before sharing a picnic sourced from regional farms. The route carries you through the Plateau des Claparèdes and Velleron's violet expanses, framed by Mont Ventoux, before arriving at ochre-painted Roussillon, where buildings glow rust and amber.

Highlights

• Sénanque Abbey's lavender fields, managed by resident monks
• Gordes: dry-stone village built into rocky hillside
• Panoramic viewpoint over Gordes valley
• Farm-fresh picnic with local cheese, tapenade, seasonal fruit
• Plateau des Claparèdes and Velleron lavender expanses
• Roussillon's distinctive ochre-coloured facades

What to expect

Your day unfolds as a gentle loop through working lavender regions and compact medieval villages. After visiting Sénanque's monastic fields, you'll wander freely through Gordes' narrow lanes and peer across the landscape from its highest point before eating locally-sourced provisions outdoors. The afternoon carries you across open plateau where lavender dominates the terrain, with Mont Ventoux anchoring the horizon. Roussillon arrives last—a compact village where every building seems painted in shades of rust, ochre and amber. This is leisurely sightseeing, not rushed ticking off boxes.

Good to know

Walks are manageable for most fitness levels. Bring sun protection and comfortable shoes for village exploration. The picnic is substantial but simple. Your guide, Arnaud, is local and knows these routes intimately. Public transport serves the area if you prefer not to drive.