Lavender Fields: Day Trips and Tours from Nice

Speak of France and it conjures up images of purple expanses of lavender fields rolling on to the horizon. Go on a day tour to Provence’s lavender fields from Nice, and you can enjoy all of the sights and lovely scents it offers.

You can also admire nature’s spectacles such as Verdon Gorge, the beautiful medieval villages of Castellane and Gourdon, and glamorous Antibes and Cannes on the French Riviera.

Here's everything you need to know about the lavender fields, some of the most spectacular day trips from Nice.

How to get to the lavender fields from Nice?

Several regions in Provence have started cultivating lavender, of which Plateau de Valensole is one of the best-known places. It lies between the valley of Durance and the Gorges of Verdon.

From Nice to the lavender fields by car

To get to the lavender fields from Nice by car, go along the A8, then the D6085 via Castellane (110 kilometers away) and the D952.

Guided tours to the lavender fields

On most of the guided day trips to the lavender fields from Nice, you will be picked up from your accommodation in the city center, or you will meet the tour guide at a meeting place. This saves you time and energy, so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the lavender fields from Nice?

Tours from Nice to the lavender fields start with a pickup from your place of accommodation in Nice or meeting at a pre-arranged venue.

From Nice, the tour vehicle travels directly to the lavender fields where you can wander around and take real screensaver photographs. On some tours, as at Plateau de Valensole, you will be taken on a guided tour of a lavender distillery plant to see how oils are produced.

Some tours include visits to nearby towns where you will have free time to explore and do some shopping. Historic towns such as Castellane and Moustiers Sainte-Marie are part of the itinerary.

You will also see natural wonders including the Gorges du Verdon with spectacular views or Lake Sainte-Croix, one of Provence’s most beautiful lakes. At the end of your excursion, you will head back to Nice and be dropped off at your accommodation.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the lavender fields?

Verdon Gorge and fields of lavender tour from Nice

On this marvelous lavender fields full-day tour from Nice, you can discover some of France’s most scenic landscapes. See the famous lavender fields of Provence and the spectacular Verdon Gorge, and explore the picturesque old towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.

Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Verdon River Gorge and its turquoise waters. The 700-meter deep canyon is a popular location for rock climbing, fly fishing, canoeing, paragliding, rafting and canyoning, to name some.

The first stop is the picturesque medieval town of Castellane. The Rock of Notre-Dame overlooks the city and has been occupied since the High Middle Ages.

Continue to the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, entirely surrounded by mountains and known for its ceramic craftsmanship. Also admire the clear Lake St. Croix, one of Provence’s lovely lakes.

Your tour finishes on a high note as you marvel at the beautiful expanse of lavender fields at the foot of the Alps. Here you can take stunning photographs and savor the special smell of lavender.

At the end of your trip, you will be driven back to your accommodation in Nice.

Private western French Riviera, hilltop villages and lavender field tour

Spend a marvelous day discovering the famous coastal resorts and picturesque hilltop towns along the western French Riviera on this private day tour from Nice.

Visit the bustling market of Antibes and admire the millionaires’ yachts and the magnificent beaches on the French Riviera.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the medieval villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Gourdon, and taste the special delicacies in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.

After your hotel pickup, you will depart in an air-conditioned minivan for your magic western French Riviera tour. Your first stop is Saint Paul de Vence, one of the most picturesque villages in France.

You will soon realize why it had inspired world famous artists such as Picasso, Chagall and Matisse. While exploring the town, admire its lovely streets, architecture and art galleries.

You will find Tourrettes-sur-Loup equally charming, a delightful medieval village known as the Capital of the Violet flower. This is an artisan's village situated near Venice, and is home to many medieval and Romanesque buildings.

At the beautiful village of Gourdon with its spectacular views, you will find the ideal place for lunch in a local restaurant. Just as inspiring will be your visit to a secret lavender field in the vicinity, where you can enjoy the lovely sights and powerful scents.

From here you will stop at the old town of Antibes with its traditional market, great beaches and the billionaires’ marina.

Lastly, as the film capital, the beautiful Cannes needs no introduction, where you can walk on the famous red carpet like a celebrity. Also enjoy its special ambiance, sandy beaches and lovely architecture.

At the conclusion of your fascinating tour, you will return to Nice and your place of accommodation.

How much does a lavender fields tour from Nice cost?

The 10-hour gorges of Verdon and fields of lavender tour from Nice costs €100 per person, and includes roundtrip transfers, a driver/guide and a bottle of water per person.

The private 8-hour western French Riviera, hilltop villages and lavender field tour costs €1,000 per group up to 8. The tour provides a bottled water, a professional local guide/driver and roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned luxury minivan, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off services.

When is the best time to visit the lavender fields?

The best time to visit the lavender fields is during the summer, mid-May to mid-July. Lavender flowers do last through to August, but the harvesters usually begin cutting the fields sooner to extract the oil at its most potent.

What are the other day trips from Nice?

• Day trips to Monaco from Nice
• Day tours to Èze from Nice
• Saint Tropez day tours from Nice
• Villefranche-sur-Mer day trips from Nice
• Port Grimaud day tours from Nice

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your lavender fields tour from Nice in advance.
• Bring pocket money already converted to Euros (at the time of writing, US$1.08 to €1).
• Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
• Lavender fields have little shade, so bring a sun hat and sunscreen.