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The area of Mont
Ventoux, including the town of Sault, (northeast of Avignon and Carpentras), looks
strait out of a fairy tail, especially in July when the fragrant lavender
fields are in full bloom. The word Lavender comes from
the Latin “lavare” which means to wash or purify. Lavender first came to Provence with the arrival
of the Romans around 2000 years ago; never leaving and withstanding
drought and storms, the resilient flowering plant spread easily to hillsides and
plateaus. At the onset of the Middle Ages, the local Provencal populace
gathered wild lavender flowers to treat wounds. Toward the end of the 19th
century inhabitants of Provence began to care for and maintain the wild
lavender patches, particularly those on hillsides between 600 and 1800 meters
(roughly 2,000-6,000 ft) in altitude to encourage development of the plant –
hence its production. In this way lavender entered the 20th century: from
family farming to intensive cultivation.
You can
enjoy the lavender fields by car, by bike or on foot. Wheat fields and
lavender fields are found in the same areas, and often side-by-side. The wheat
ripens just before the lavender season; so lavender fields are often bordered
by golden bands of grain, backlit by the sun. If you want to see
sunflowers and lavender together, sunflowers are in full color in
July-August (end June is too early for the sunflowers). On the way to
Sault you will pass the village of Simiane la Rotonde, which is a picture-perfect,
perched village with fields of lavender at its base – an ideal spot for taking
photos set against a backdrop of blue and purple.
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"Lavender is the soul of Provence" |
Lavender is harvested
from July to September. This blue gold and purple has been used for a long
time to make soap and cosmetics; it is also used in some Provençal dishes! Lavender
is said to heal insect bites and burns as well as repel insects. It is used to soothe
headaches if you apply it to the temples. The flower can also be placed by your pillow to aid you into a restful sleep. Dried lavender is used to repel moths in clothes
closets. Lavender oil is also said to cure acne. The essential oil has
antiseptic properties; it was used in hospitals in the 1st world war to
disinfect wards. And of course it’s quite nice in the bath, for aromatherapy,
and can be found in household products like room fresheners.
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Plateau looking over the lavender fields, town and valley of Sault. A magical plain in a a very special part of the world. |
One can
follow the lavender roads in Provence from the fields to the many distilleries along its route. One can even visit the many farms along the way. There are also festivals dedicated to the legendary plant as well as a museum in its honor (Lavender Museum in Coustellet).
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