French Riviera · From Nice · Valensole & Verdon
A long but spectacular day from the Riviera — the Valensole lavender plus the Gorges du Verdon and turquoise Lac de Sainte-Croix.
The Experience
See Provence's biggest scenery without changing your Riviera base.
An early start and a long, scenic loop from Nice to the lavender and back.
Pick a tour leaving from Aix-en-Provence (closest), Marseille, or Nice. Each is a guided day trip with round-trip transport — no rental car or route-planning needed.
The lavender peaks roughly late June to mid-July. Book early — bloom-season weekends sell out, and the fields are harvested from around mid-July.
Pay through our secure GetYourGuide booking partner — instant confirmation by email, mobile voucher, and free cancellation on most tours up to 24 hours before.
Meet your guide at the pickup point and travel by air-conditioned minibus to the Valensole plateau for photo stops in the fields and a working lavender-farm visit.
Photo Gallery
Purple fields, the Verdon canyon, and Lac de Sainte-Croix, reached from the Riviera.
Book Your Experience
Select your date and group size. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
A top-rated Verdon-and-lavender day, a full Provence loop, or an evening tour from inland — compared.
| Feature | RIVIERA PICK Verdon Gorge & Lavender from Nice | Top-Rated Verdon + Lavender | Full-Day Provence from Nice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $127/per person | $121 | $229 |
| Departs From | Nice | Nice | Nice |
| Drive Time (one way) | ~2.5 hrs | ~2.5 hrs | ~2.5 hrs |
| Lavender Fields | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Verdon Gorge & Lake | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reviews | Growing | Thousands — very popular | Established |
| Best For | Transport + lavender + gorge | Most-reviewed Riviera option | Most-of-Provence day |
| Check Availability | View Tour | View Tour |
Riviera-based day trips to the lavender, plus closer departures if you can move base.
TOP RATEDVisit the Verdon Gorge and explore the villages of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the most beautiful villages of France.
FULL PROVENCEDiscover the magnificent lavender fields, a dream of color and perfume.
SUNSETImmerse yourself in the beauty of the Valensole lavender fields on a sunset tour. Enjoy a relaxing walk through the fields, surrounded by the aroma of lavender and the sounds of nature.
From Nice
What to know before the early start.
Nice is the farthest of the main gateways — about two and a half hours from the Valensole plateau — so lavender tours from the Riviera are long, early-start, full-day trips. The pay-off is that you don’t have to move base: you can sleep on the coast and still spend a day among the purple fields, the Gorges du Verdon, and Lac de Sainte-Croix.
Most Nice departures are combo tours that pair the lavender with the canyon and the clifftop village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, because if you’re driving that far it makes sense to see it all. Expect roughly five hours of driving across the day, broken up by photo stops, the lake, and lunch in a village.
If you can shift your base inland for a night, tours from Aix or from Marseille cut the driving sharply. For the canyon focus specifically, see the lavender & Verdon Gorge combo. Bloom peaks late June to mid-July, so book early.
Guest Reviews
"We had the best day! Tenga is a fantastic guide who is relaxed, caring and a fantastic driver. The roads to reach these incredible places are long and winding and he is a skilled driver who we felt completely safe with. The drive is long but totally worth it! We were given drinks throughout the day and many stop offs for photos and time to explore. I highly recommend this trip to see some of the natural beauty and authentic France"
""Our day trip from Nice to the Verdon Gorge was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Although we were a bit disappointed to miss the lavender fields as they were not in season, the breathtaking beauty of the gorge more than made up for it. A special thanks to our guide, David, who was truly exceptional. He masterfully navigated the challenging, winding roads, constantly checking on our group of eight, some of whom were prone to motion sickness. His skillful and considerate driving made the journey completely stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. The small, friendly group dynamic was perfect, and we all felt the experience was well worth the money. It was an overall perfect drive with good company and unforgettable views.""
"We really enjoyed the entire experience. We’d like to suggest to do this trip before they take off the lavanda field. But the village is nice and the Le Gole del Verdon is beautiful and funny to make with friends."
"We had a wonderful experience with our guide and driver, Tengo (Tengiz), on our trip today! From the moment he picked us up – right on time – he was incredibly warm, friendly, and welcoming. Tengo made the entire journey not only smooth and comfortable but also truly memorable. He was very engaging throughout the trip, sharing interesting stories, answering all our questions, and making sure we were always comfortable and enjoying ourselves. His positive energy and genuine kindness really stood out, and we felt like we were exploring with a friend rather than just a guide. We’re so grateful for his hospitality and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great experience. Thank you, Tengo, for a fantastic day!"
"This was a very good trip. We enjoyed a lot. The lavenders were cut off due to heat, But David our guide made an effort to find and take us to the Lavender fields. The lake and views were amazing. David also took us to additional view points admire the beauty of the Gorges."
"We had an excellent day with Tango. He was the best guide we have had yet after traveling Europe for 4 years. The views and stops were spectacular but we would definitely advise to bring motion sickness medication and sick bags EVEN if you have never experienced car sickness before. Despite the long journey, thankful to have seen some of the most beautiful locations of France."
"Amazing guide amazing day best day of our trip in the south of France"
"Entertaining trip. Just be prepared for narrow roads. Stop to swim in the lake is not included in the price."
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See All ReviewsSkip the self-drive logistics — let a local guide handle the route, photo stops, and farm visits. Choose from lavender tours departing Aix, Marseille & Nice, most with free cancellation. Starting from $127 per person.
Browse Lavender ToursEverything to know about visiting the lavender from the Riviera.
The Valensole plateau is about 2.5 hours' drive from Nice — the longest of the main gateways. Tours from Nice are therefore long, full-day trips, usually combining the lavender with the Verdon Gorge.
Expect a long day of around 10–12 hours, with roughly five hours of driving in total, broken up by the fields, the gorge, the lake, and a village stop.
Peak bloom at Valensole is roughly late June to mid-July, with harvest from around mid-July. Book within that window and check recent field reports, as timing varies by year.
Most do. Because the drive is long, Nice departures typically pair the Valensole lavender with the Gorges du Verdon, Lac de Sainte-Croix, and often Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
If the lavender is a priority and you can't move base, yes — but be ready for an early start and a lot of driving. Staying a night near Aix or Moustiers makes for a more relaxed visit.
Tours depart from a central meeting point in Nice, with some offering hotel pickup. Your confirmation specifies the exact location and time.
Some tours include time at the lake to swim or rent a boat; others stop only for the view. Check the specific itinerary if time on the water matters to you.
No. The fields are private working farms; picking and walking into the rows damages the crop. Photograph from the edges and follow your guide.
Many use minibuses or small coaches; some are private. Group size varies by operator — check each listing for the maximum.
Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. The exact terms are shown on each booking page.
Still have questions? Email us at info@valensolelavenderfields.com