The lavender fields were the main reason why I started to visit the South of France about 18 years ago. The main production areas of Lavender are in the departements de la Drôme, the Vaucluse and on the plateau of Valensole.

I have spent several vacations in the small village of Sault en Provence, close to the famous Mont Ventoux. It is an authentic place to spend a relaxing vacation, the prices for the holiday houses are moderate. Only one more hour far South, in the Luberon area the prices may be incredibly high in the summer.

I recommend the summer houses of Marilyne and Christian Mourard, Les Perrets, 84390 Sault.(e-mail: lydia.mourard@wanadoo.fr) They offer three houses in a traditional country style, two with a pool. (Sea one of them on the right hand side of this page.)

The weather is sunny but even in the summer the nights are cool in this area which makes the stay comfortable.

The lavender starts to blossom in late June and will be cut during July until the beginning of August. On the 15th of August, there is a big lavender feast in Sault. On this day the village ist vrey crowded. Busses bring visitors from towns in the surroundings and there is a shuttle service from the village center to the Hippodrome where the "Fête de la Lavande! takes place.

The weekly market in Sault takes place on Wednesdays. In some years, the tour de France passes through Sault going towards the Mont Ventoux.

About 15 km South of Sault there is the authentic small village Revest-du-Bion. A romanic style chapel, dedicated to Our Lady is situated about 3 km West of the village in the middle of lavender fields and woods. The chapel has been beautifully renovated. A former hermitage is attached to the chapel. It belongs to the village of Revest du Bion and may be hired as a vacation house. It has 2 bedrooms with several beds, a kitchen, bathroom and living room, all equipped simply but with taste. It is a perfect place for a quiet vacation in a special contemplative place. The chapel is always open and people pass by to say a prayer or light a candle.

In the Provence the crib figurines represent the traditional trades and work of the agricultural rural society. There are of course shephards but also the lady who sells lavender, the washerwoman, people who do all kinds of farm work. They populate the manger scenes at Christmas time. They are offered all year long on the markets.