The lavender fields of Provence are legendary, making their way on everything from calendar pages to computer backdrops. Nothing, however, compares to actually getting to visit and stand amidst the rows. There’s a reason why they’re such a popular spot for photo sessions! If you have been considering booking a lavender field photoshoot, I am here to tell you everything there is to know. As an English-speaking American photographer living in France, I have gotten the chance to work here and capture some pretty breathtaking moments! Here’s your guide to creating the most gorgeous memories lavender fields of Provence.
Where is Provence?
Provence is a large region in south eastern France, and is much bigger than most people realize. It encompasses 12,000 square miles, or 31,000 square kilometers. The capital of the region is Marseille, France’s third largest, and oldest city.
Provence extends all the way past Nice, to the border with Italy, and also points north, including the cities of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and two other regions called the Camargue and the Luberon. The Camargue is a marshy area starting in the old Roman town of Arles, and running to the sea. Here you will find lots of wildlife, horses, and sea life.
The Luberon is a hilly and mountainous area east of Avignon, which is home to lavender fields and really cute hilltop villages, which retain their charm. An example of a hilltop village in the Luberon is Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France.
For getting around the region, the main thing to know is that Provence is large, and while there is good bus and train service to the main cities, a rental car or private tour is a great way to go. Lavender fields are found in two main locations.
Provence is famous for its Roman history, art, culture, food and beautiful climate. It’s also a nature lovers paradise, because you can hike, and also partake in water activities on the Mediterranean Sea. It reminds me a lot of the Tuscany region of Italy.
Plan Your Dream Photos At The Lavender Fields Of Provence
When Should We Do a Photoshoot in the Lavender Fields of Provence?
The very first thing to keep in mind is that lavender fields do not bloom year-round in Provence. In fact, there is only a window of about five weeks when you can view it at its peak. There are two elevations in Provence where the flower blooms. The lower elevations are located primarily in the Valensole plateau. In this area, the lavender begins to blossom around the end of June and remains vibrant until it is harvested in mid-July.
The upper elevation is closer to the mountains, and its bloom time is much shorter. It starts its bloom around the middle of July and goes to the end of the month when it is then harvested. The best place to see the lavender at the end of this time is around the town of Sault. Because the weather can be pretty fickle, this time can vary from year to year. I typically advise that my clients plan around the first week of July through the middle of the month.
Another thing to note is that this is a major tourist attraction, and with such a short window, you can all but guarantee there are going to be some crowds. This is one of many reasons why I suggest an early morning photo session. Yes, you might need an extra cup of coffee or two, but you can beat some of the congestion. Plus, the lighting will be much better! Provence can get quite hot in the summer, with temps reaching around 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon, and the light can be very harsh. By booking a session either right after sunrise or right before sunset, you can have the best light distribution!
What to Expect From A Photoshoot in the Lavender Fields of Provence?
In addition to the crowds, there are a few things to be aware of before your Provence lavender fields session. First off, there are a lot of happy bees buzzing around the fields all day long. They’re just doing their job, and I have never spoken to anyone who has been stung in all my years working here. Still, if bees make you squeamish, you might want to skip out on this spot.
Next, you will need to budget a lot of time for your session. We’ll go over transportation in just a second, but it will be around an hour and a half just to get to the fields. Once we get there, you can expect around 1-1.5 hours of portrait time (some of which will be spent traveling to new locations), and then it will be an hour-and-a-half drive back to town. Yes, it is a lot of time, but I promise, it really is worth it!
We won’t really be able to stop for food because the time spent at the restaurant will force us to miss the best times for photos. I would advise you to bring your own food. Some of my clients even plan picnics! In the worst-case scenario, we can stop for a sandwich on the way to or from the fields.
As far as the schedule goes, we will typically arrive at the fields anywhere from 8:00-9:30 AM. We will spend several hours in the fields traveling along to different places. If you would like, we can also travel to a hilltop village for some pics. Then, you will return to your accommodations.
Getting to the Lavender Fields
5 Bd Georges Clemenceau, 30400 Villeneuve-les-Avignon, France.
There are two main starting points for getting to the lavender fields in Provence: Avignon, Marseille, or Aix-en-Provence. As mentioned earlier, both these spots will require around an hour and a half to reach the fields. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with transportation to your destination. I would suggest either renting a car and driving yourself or booking a private tour company service. I always recommend ProVans Tours, a company based in Avignon. No matter what you choose, I will remain with you during your actual session so we do not get lost or separated.
Examples of Sessions and Events You Can Have With Me in the Lavender Fields
Finally, let’s talk about the types of sessions you can have in the Provence lavender fields. No matter what you have in mind, this is going to be one of the best backdrops. Here are some of the sessions I have gotten to capture.
Engagements and Couple Portraits
Whether you need pictures for your save-the-dates pictures or just want to document your adventures, the lavender fields will be your perfect spot!
Surprise Proposals
These sessions are some of my favorites! If you decide to use the fields for this, I will help you create your plan so you can have your perfect proposal. You can propose right when you get here, and we can have a makeshift engagement session, or you can do it halfway through. Whatever you decide, I’ll be there to capture it all!
Elopements
Yes, you can have an elopement right in the fields! Because France has a lot of rules surrounding weddings, most of my clients use this as a purely symbolic ceremony. I will also work with clients who choose to get married in a nearby village (Gordes is a dreamy space for this!) and have their wedding portraits in the field either before or after the ceremony.
FAQ: Planning Your Professional Photoshoot in the Lavender Fields
A lavender field photo session with a professional photographer is tons of fun. Here some answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ).
We would really love to be photographed in the late morning or afternoon, say maybe 1:00 pm, when can we go?
For the very best experience, photo sessions in the lavender fields are either conducted in the morning before the light becomes too harsh and it gets very hot, or in the very late afternoon, ending at sunset.
If you go during the middle of the day, not only is it very hot in the sun (90F), but the sun is in your face, causing squinting and deep shadows, which is not flattering at all.
Therefore, most photo sessions begin at 8:00 or 9:00 am or later in the day around 5:00 pm. These times are customized for each client.
We would like professional makeup services, do you provide those? They don’t work early in the morning?
Most professional makeup artists also work with professional photographers, and they understand the light. They also don’t want their hard work melting on the client’s face in the middle of the day in the hot sun. Most makeup artists are available in the early morning, you just need to verify it with them. Also, I’ll recommend a makeup artist after booking. Professionally applied makeup really is key to having beautiful photos, the skin is left natural, but fresh and creates a wonderful palette for beautiful photos.
We’d like to visit a hilltop village like Gordes too, is this possible?
Yes, if you like! We would then extend to a half-day trip. Some of the most beautiful villages in France are located in proximity to lavender fields, like Gordes, and are so picturesque.
What should we wear for our lavender field photo session?
This is a great question, and after you book with me I’ll send you a guide. In general, because it’s hot, light fabrics, solids over patterns. Linens and cottons (but make sure to iron ahead of time!). Also, a hat is a fun and great accessory. Cute and functional at the same time!
What about transportation, do you drive us to the lavender fields, how do we get there?
I do not provide transportation, and do not drive you there. There are two options. You can rent a car and drive yourself, we will then go together. I will meet you and that way no one gets lost and we are all together. Or, if you prefer, we can enlist the service of a private tour company that will do all the driving for the day. It’s less stress and you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the time in air-conditioned comfort.
Which lavender fields do you use for your professional photo sessions?
While I love the Valensole plateau, I don’t love that it’s so popular that it’s crowded all the time with tourists. It makes perfect sense, the fields are beautiful, but it makes it incredibly challenging to do the high quality work I want to do and that my clients deserve. Plus, many visitors are coming a bit later in July, so the Valensole fields have been harvested already. Therefore, many of my sessions take place near the lavender fields of Sault. There are so many fields to choose from, and they are also quite beautiful. However, I also love Valensole, despite the crowds, so I do both, it just depends on the time of year and where my clients are staying. Also, if you’re coming earlier in the season, we’ll focus on the lavender fields in the Luberon, closer to the towns of Bonnieux and Gordes.
Your Dream Photos Can Be A Reality At The Lavender Fields Of Provence
Hopefully, this helps you as you start to plan your photos in the lavender fields of Provence. Now, you just need the perfect photographer to help you capture it! As an English-speaking American photographer living in Provence, France, I adore working with clients to provide pictures they can treasure for years. I would love to help you plan your session so you can have gorgeous pictures without any of the stress. If you would like to learn more, let’s have a conversation! Send me a message today if you would like to learn more.
