Lavender is the Luberon Blues !
Mid-June to mid-July ? ! Obviously, it's the best season to photograph the lavender fields !
Want to see lavender fields ? Download the Claparèdes plateau hike on Chemin des parcs website !
In the evening, the scent of lavender spreads. You will then have the best olfactory sensation !
Distillerie des Agnels on the Claparèdes Plateau
Throughout the Luberon, only the Pays d'Apt grows lavender. So, I enjoyed a whole month in the "big blue"; lavandin at low altitude, lavender fine on the highlands... Flowering starts mid-June and ends around the end of July.
In the direction of Buoux, near the Claparèdes, the distillery of Agnels welcomes the curious people. On the plateau, the landscape looks like an tidy garden, streaks of blue, mauve, purple. A real therapeutic view, soothing and relaxing. Lavender is also called the "Swiss knife" of aromatherapy, as it claims so many virtues. In the pas, the Romans spread the oil on the linen and in baths. As I walked along a straight line, all my senses awoke. The colour meets the perfume... and the sounds... It's a real Eden for insects; we can hear the bees harvest !
Secrets of distillation
Moreover, at the distillery, I was told that the heat favours the rise of oil in the flower. During distillation, the water vapor releases the essence contained in the glands. The first distillations were made with fire : the water was mixed with the flowers. Then, steam distillation arrived. And since from the 90s, to improve productivity, the technique "en vert broyé" was developped. The harvest is chopped in a containe directly mounted on the boiler. 100 to 120 kg are needed to obtain 1 kg of a golden yellow essence.
From lavender to oil
When I saw the essential oil flow before my eyes, I realized that behind the beauty of the lavender fields hidden a knowledge, a tradition and families who maintain the landscapes for our greatest joy.
After the visit, with Véronique Agnel, the fifth generation of passionate lavender growers, I tasted a lavender tea and I developed my "nose" by testing the different essential oils for sale at the store.
Perfumes, cosmetics or gourmet products, lavender is an "essential" souvenir to accompany me back home.
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THE "POTAGER D'UN CURIEUX"
An extraordinary garden
Enchanted you will be!
Vegetable you will enjoy!
Many dishes you will cook!
On the path to discovering the garden...
Conservatory of forgotten vegetables and rare plants, the "Potager d'un curieux" created by Jean-Luc Daneyrolles is a farm and a paradise for gardeners. In the vegetable garden, he collects and produces seeds respectul for the seasons and the environment. Located in the village of Saignon in the Luberon, since 1984, Jean-Luc Daneyrolles has become a reference in his field. He first transformed a hill into an exuberant garden that looks like him and mixes old flowers and strange vegetables, pickaxe handles and shards of bottles, colored cans, old watering cans or buckets having suffered the ravages of time. Paths separate the garden into vegetable parts where flowers, fruits, leaves and roots are listed according to their uses. The ground of the paths is sometimes covered with fragments of ancient tiles, found on the oppidum which occupies part of the farm, pieces of Apt's earthenware, pebbles and stones. A modest garden shed houses the usual garden tools.
Passionate about ancient vegetables, every year Jean Luc-Daneyrolles grows among others, more than 50 varieties of tomatoes. The "apple of love" suspected of evil powers in the 16th century, is now the essential vegetable of Provencal cuisine. Common varieties are known, from tiny cherry tomatoes to perfect round tomatoes. In the vegetable garden, you will find the real Marmande, the Roma, the Banana, the White Cherry, the Green Grape...: an extraordinary diversity of forms, colors and flavors to make yours again.
And no one knows salads like this partisan gardener... The chefs call Jean-Luc Daneyrolles for the design of their vegetable garden. He also creates gardens and vegetable gardens in schools and trains future gardeners. Author of several books on the art of creating gardens and forgotten vegetables, his goal is to save this living heritage and to pass on the diversity of seeds, outside museums or laboratories.
In your turn, you can today enter this extraordinary garden.
Free visit every Thursdays at 10 a.m., followed by a guided wine tasting session (possibility of lunch on site).
Reservation required + 33 (0)4 90 04 60 37
The bond between father and daughter is beautiful to see: two generations for the same passion on a land they both love so much.
A visit to the vineyard
It is almost 10 o'clock... The day looks good, we booked a visit of the Sylla vineyard. As Luberon fans, we wanted to know more about the wine of this region.
At the cellar, a small group gathers with quietly in the hall. Geneviève greets us with a large smile "We're going to meet Raymond Hugues and his daughter Patricia in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, follow me! "
A convoy is organized on the pretty road that leads to the village, stronghold of the terroir of the Sylla wines. We arrive in a small organically grown land, adjoining the Château Bourgane with the song of the cicadas, full with enthusiasm.
Geneviève then takes over and presents herself as the director and winemaker of Cave Sylla for over 20 years now...
Then, Patricia and Raymond, with a typical authentic accent, tell about their work, their job, their passion: to grow vine and make wine.
Seasons, terroirs, practices, techniques: all is explained as questions come from our admiring little group, both surprised and amazed by so much will and self-sacrifice that the winegrower needs to face multiple issues...
Time for tasting
After a friendly hour of talk on a rich and exciting matters, we join the cool cellars where Geneviève awaits us and presents her passion: winemaking and wine aging.
The visit ends after putting theory into a pleasant practice. The wine-tasting session! When one becomes aware of all the work done to reach this level of requirement and quality.
We get involved totally in this world both complex and exciting.
An original restaurant concept
And the best is for the end: to have lunch in the middle of bottles and an initiation journey and pairing of the best local wine/cheese/cold meats. A simple but effective idea to test a wide range of wines with special character!
EXPLORE THE LUBERON BY BIKE
The passage through the gallery was extraordinary, we are so full of memory (and photos) !
Freedom for everybody with an electric bike
The whole family, my husband, my two teenagers and I, join our guide at Luberon Bike Shop : a colorful journey awaits us for half a day. Electric bike is a first for us all. Our guide puts us at ease for the handling. As soon as the first kilometers, a feeling of freedom overruns us, we take small roads, then, we find ourselves on trails.
The adventure begins, ...
Dazzling galleries !
Our guide knows the course by heart and tells us the story of the ocher lands, shaped by man and about Luberon he loves. We even go through an old gallery ! Surprising, what a breathtaking spot, one of the most original we have seen during our stay ! These trails in these unusual passages and secret places, only a native knows, ... a unique experience.
Quite a change of scenery !
The ocher hills are exceptional and along the way we discover sand roses, a jewel of the hills, to leave imperatively in their spot ! The Massif des Ocres magic places are to be respected and preserved.
The kilometers go by smoothly, I cannot believe it : biking with little effort is fun; a treat for the teenagers !
Two family trails for a complete change of scenery!
You are going to be amazed by the range of ocher colors! A breathtaking view...
Good news! Our 4-legged friends on a leasch are welcome.
How about a real family outing?
Ready?
Let’s go to the Colorado Provencal with mom and dad!Before leaving: cowboy hat and bottle of water needed... but above all: no white sneakers! You will be thankful upon return.
At first, an intense green forest, where Indians and outlaws are lurking, but little by little colors are revealed.
The miners and farmers created this splendid site by digging the hills. Traces and remains are still there. And yet, one can easily imagine a genuine Western in Technicolor, shot right here by John Ford or Sergio Leone. Easy to be an Apache, the color is everywhere and makes a good make-up! It is the ocher rush! Head to the Sahara, the fairy chimneys, the Barriès circus... magical, enchanting, wonderful sites and freedom to run, relax, breathe and feast your eyes!
Come and shoot the colors of the market
The city is never more alive than on market day! Come and see!
One of the most beautiful markets in Provence for me!
During Spring and Summer holidays free shuttles for Apt market every 15 minutes from the tourist Office (West entrance - Avignon) and Viton (East entrance - Rustrel).
One Saturday morning in Apt...
Every Saturday, since the twelfth century, it is summer even in the heart of winter. The market begins on the Bouquerie and never ends; it occupies and crosses the whole old town.
"Apt, little town, big barat", said Remerville. In the past, clothes and canvases were sold in the main street and on the banks of the Calavon, the produce of the Earth, Place du Septier, Place du Postel and near the Cathedral. In the 17th century, the livestock market was held either at the Porte de la Bouquerie or at Saignon gate, so as not to harm either the top or the bottom of the city.
Today, at the height of the season, over 300 exhibitors, from all over the South, invest the city. Some even expose from father to son.
In the Summer season, it looks like a riot. People want to see and taste everything. Lured by the perfumes, attracted by the colors, one does not resist the creamy cheeses, the salty olives, the heady wines. The abundance of fruits and seasonal vegetables, strawberries, melons, garlic and tomatoes with generous colors and scents exalts the senses. More intimidating is the truffle stand where word is quieter and where the precious "rabasses" are exchanged in the winter. We owe to the goats the delicious cheeses of the country, the breeders are scattered in the alleys. The flower market flourishes at the end of the old town with lavender, aromatic plants and romantic bouquets of dried flowers. All the crafts are scattered along the main street: fabrics of Provence, "boutis" and "indiennes", precious or exotic objects, colored pottery and glazed earth, jewels and colored hats.
On the market, Earth's resources occupy a place almost as important as gesture and speech. People talk a little and sometimes a lot, people touch with the eyes, and weigh the fruits, while the tablecloths swell under the Mistral.
It is here that the Provencal art of speech takes all its meaning. It is a privileged moment to taste local culture: a weekly rite where the whole Luberon can be found. People come from the villages, from the "plateau d’Albion", from the Alps and elsewhere. Early in the morning, it is mainly the Aptesians who roam the streets. Later, the inhabitants of the villages join them and a little before noon, at the time of the “apéritif”, here come the people on holiday.
The peaceful invasion of the colorful and fragrant stalls brings everyone together as Apt market weaves a unique link between tradition and modernity. In 1996, Apt Market was designated "one of the 100 most beautiful markets in France".
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0LE MUSÉE DE LA LAVANDE : LES SECRETS DE LA LAVANDE
PLANTE ICÔNE DE LA PROVENCE
Château du Bois maîtrise toute la chaîne de production de la graine semée au produit fini.
Photostop obligatoire dans la cour du Musée devant la lavande en fleurs - Période idéale de floraison entre mi-juin et mi-juillet !
Le Musée de la lavande
Au carrefour des routes touristiques du Luberon, un mas traditionnel invite à la découverte de l’histoire de la Vraie lavande de Provence. Le Musée fondée par la famille Lincelé, lavandiculteurs depuis 1890 permet de partager savoir-faire et passion de cette fleur reine. Aujourd’hui, Sophie et Jack entourés de leur équipe développent des visites thématiques et des ateliers pour aborder les différents usages de la lavande en aromathérapie, en parfumerie, en cuisine et en cosmétique bio et naturelle.
Baignez-vous dans le bleu lavande de la boutique !
Dès l’entrée, embarquement immédiat pour un voyage à travers les senteurs (bleutées) de la Provence, ... et c'est un délice !
Château du Bois, la marque de la maison, met à disposition toute une gamme de produits de beauté et de bien-être. Et une équipe de spécialistes vous accompagnent dans le choix des cosmétiques. Les amateurs de cyclotourisme recommandent le « Gel tonique rafraîchissant ». On trouve aussi, pour vous mesdames ET pour vous messieurs « Lavender for Women » et « Lavender for Men », les parfums (-stars de Château du Bois).
Merci à Sophie pour ses conseils avisés dans le choix des produits.
Immersion en ateliers
Rien de mieux que de participer à l’un des ateliers pour s’immerger dans l'univers de cette petite fleur iconique.
De la confection de sachets de lavande et plantes aromatiques, aux ateliers sensoriels ; de l’atelier de distillation à l’ancienne, pour découvrir le processus fascinant de l’huile essentielle, aux ateliers d’aquarelles parfumées…
Autant de choix pour vivre des expériences uniques avec des experts qui partagent leur savoir avec passion : une véritable initiation à l’univers de la lavande pour toute la famille !
Nouveauté été 2024
Cette saison, des tours à vélo électrique dans les champs de lavande en fleurs au Domaine Le Château du Bois sont proposés !
Plongez autrement au coeur de la lavande avec un guide diplômé pour une aventure revitalisante.Du 24 juin au 28 juillet sur réservation !
à partir deRéserver8 €DÉCOUVERTE DE LA CAVE DE SYLLA ET DE SON VIGNOBLE
Les rendez-vous chez Sylla
• Afterwork tous les 1ers jeudi du mois dès 18h
• Visites gratuites tous les jeudis en juillet et août à partir de 10h suivie d’une dégustation commentée des cuvées (possibilité de déjeuner sur place).
Sur réservation uniquement 04 90 04 60 37
Sylla est une famille de vignerons avec plus de 110 viticulteurs : ne dit-on pas que l'union fait la force ?
Famille de vignerons
Sylla est une grande famille de vignerons avec plus de 110 viticulteurs : ne dit-on pas que l'union fait la force ? Ensemble, sur le lieu-dit Sylla à Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt et également réparti sur 14 communes du Pays d’Apt, ils cultivent, vinifient et commercialisent leurs vins.
Dans un environnement préservé, réserve de Biosphère, le vignoble de Sylla bénéficie de conditions particulières et uniques, “Les Classiques”, “Les Parcellaires”, “Les Micro Cuvées” ou encore “Les Domaines” sont élaborés avec finesse et savoir-faire, en AOP Luberon et Ventoux, en viticulture biologique certifiée Ecocert et raisonnée certifiée Agriconfiance et Haute Valeur Environnementale.
Création “Hall of Fame” : la cuvée…
L’année 2024 est, et restera marquée par la cuvée “Hall of Fame” exclusive et limitée de Michaël Guigou, qui symbolise le parcours de vie d’un handballeur professionnel aptésien et fils de vigneron de Sylla, intronisé dans le Temple de la Renommée en 2023.
Déclinées en deux couleurs, rouge et rosé, le design des étiquettes des bouteilles représentent de nombreux symboles de vie, chers au joueur et à sa carrière.
Comment accorder cette cuvée ? L’équipe dynamique de la cave saura vous conseiller parfaitement.
Une cave en ville
La Cave de Sylla trône fièrement dans l’environnement urbain d’Apt depuis 1925 au pied de l’ancienne voie de chemin de fer, aujourd’hui véloroute.
Bientôt centenaire, la Cave a su innover et porter haut et fort les valeurs de son terroir et de ses vins.
Partagez des expériences uniques dans cette cave familiale.NATURE, PARCS & JARDINS
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