In search of lavender in Avignon

In early August we spent a couple nights in Avignon, France after leaving Nice. We had hoped see some Provencial lavender fields, but sadly they were mostly all cut by the time we got there. Typically the best time to view the lavender fields is in July, so we knew we were on the late side but had read there are often fields left uncut until the annual Lavender Festival on August 15th in the town of Sault. Given the unusual situation this year, the festival has been cancelled and that may have led to a decision to cut most of the fields early. Nevertheless, we enjoyed seeing Avignon and driving through Sault and other towns and seeing how much area is taken up by the fields–it must be an amazing sight to see when they’re in full bloom! Avignon itself has an interesting history and contains the world’s largest Gothic edifice at Le Palais des Papes (the palace of the popes). This palace was the capital of the papacy in the 14th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.