Sault The Lavender Capital

Sault is known in the region as one of the best place for Lavender.
It is indeed our Lavender Meccah!
The other famous Lavender land is Le plateau de Valensone where you can see plenty of lavender fields but "less action" to my taste.

There are several route options from St Remy to Sault but expect to do a lot of driving on narrow roads.
I suggest :
The scenic way in the morning :
Take the D99 to Cavaillon then follow the sign to Gordes, then Lioux and Sault. Driving time about 2 hours.
On your way back, take the road to Carpentras D 942 then D1.
From Carpentras, follow Avignon. Enter the Highway in "Avignon Nord" direction Marseille. Exit at Avignon Sud.
Follow the sign to Noves centre. St Remy will be signposted from there. Driving time about 1h30

When arriving in Sault, make sure you stop en route for the panorama:

Arriving in Sault from Gordes in April prior the lavender season :

Our first stop was for Arôma Plantes.
Located on the route du Mont Ventoux (and clearly sign posted), this lavender farm is organic since 1978. We were warmly welcomed by Valerie in the shop and Manon showed us around the property.
The farm is operating all year round and only distilling local vegetals. Since we were off season we were overwhelmed by the smell of Pinewood essential oil (as you will see in the pictures)
Manon who speaks english will tell you all about essential oil and you are most likely to see the full process.
Lavender essential oil will start beeing done on July 9th, this year, until late August. You can join a workshop on Tuesday.
Soap making workshops are also organised on Monday (not sure if in English but will tell you after I attend my workshop). Check the site for full details.
The shop is exquisite and offer products and soaps you barely see anywhere else, even on the markets. I got some for me and love them!!!
You can try out some fruit juices flavored with floral water (or Hydrolat, i.e. the water from the distilation).
Wodden picnic tables are for to use if you come with your picnic.
And course you may wander through a path going along the property fields.

Lavender mad people may want to spend the full day around...

More info on Aroma Plantes web site

Fresh herbs path

Pine wood essential oil extracted on April 11th

Final result : Essential oil on the top, hydrolat (floral water) underneath

Our friendly hosts Valérie and Manon

One of the picnic table

Smaller but as nice is Vallon des Lavandes located nearby.
Run by a family, you may pop in and be shown round the property by the friendly owners.
You'll be welcomed by the chicken wandering in the field in front of the farm.
No web site.

Once in Sault dont miss the most famous shop of André Boyer Nougat.

Fun little shop in the village, mostly about Lavender of course... But also a famous butcher where you can buy all sort of Saucissons.

For Lunch we decided to go the Cafe Promenade where you have a great view from the terrasse (see picture). Very friendly service, reasonnable price, but dont expect fine gourmet food. Perfect for a salad or the plat du jour at 12 €.

We were also recommended Restaurant Le Provençal in the village (menu as from 17.50€) but prefered the view...

Sault offers of course much more to do.
We visited another soap and beauty product artisan which I will talk about in another post.

The tourist Office offers a brochure about route de la lavande with all places to visit in the region.

The big Lavender festival takes place mid August.
A smaller Lavender festival is to take place on Sunday July 5th 2015 in nearby village of Ferrassieres.

 Dont leave Sault too late as the return route might prove tiring.....

Enjoy Lavender fairy...