Discover Sault

Originally published in Destination France, Issue 11, July 2006

Véronique Gray passes through Sault and learns about lavender

What would Provence be without its lavender fields? You may have read Peter Mayle’s books, recounting stories of the beautiful region and since have been dreaming of owning a place with such a décor or vacationing during the blooming of the lavenders.

Perched at 2493 ft, Sault is a small fortified village but quite busy in the summer. Walk through the old downtown, visit the 12th century Notre Dame de la Tour church, have a drink on the square or shop for regional specialties (honey, nougat and lavender products such as cut flowers, essential oils and fragrances). Most cut flowers found for sale in the UK comes from Sault.

If you decide to take the Lavender Routes, then this village will be one of your main destinations. The plateaus of Sault and Albion are covered up with acres of lavenders.

Just before entering Sault, I wandered through the many fields and enjoyed the deep smell and views of the blue and purple tones. Being there during the siesta time, I didn’t encounter a soul for a while. It was just me and the sound of the cicadas, surrounded by bundles of hay, trees and farms with colourful French shutters. I wished the clock could have stopped for an eternity.

From the Latin word meaning ‘to wash’, lavender has been fascinating people since ages. Romans used it as a fragrance in their homes and baths. Later, our medieval ancestors used it to cure diseases. It is also known to contain cicatrisation with disinfecting and many other beneficial powers.

The region of Sault produces lavender and lavandin, a hybrid of two lavender varieties. Almost half of the fine lavender (also called true lavender) is produced there.

Generally the lavender is in full bloom from beginning of July until the third week, when one starts to cut it. However, depending on the season’s temperatures lavender could bloom until the 15th of August.

FIND OUT MORE

TOURIST OFFICE

Avenue de la promenade, 84390 Sault
Telephone: 0033 (0)4 90 64 01 21

Fax: 0033 (0)4 90 64 15 03
Email: info@saultenprovence.com  or  www.saultenprovence.com

AIR

Closest airports are Nîmes served by Ryanair and Marseille with BA & Easyjet from Gatwick.

www.ba.com, www.easyjet.com, www.ryanair.com

ROAD

From Calais A26 to Arras, then A1 to Paris, A6 to Lyon, A7 to Orange, N7, D957 to Carpentras and D942 to Sault.

www.autoroutes.fr

TRAIN

www.sncf.com
www.raileurope.co.uk

08705 845 848

ACTIVITIES

Distillery

Ferme du Vallon

Route des Michouilles

84390 Sault

T: (0033) (0)4 90 64 14 83

Garden of Lavender

Ferme aux Lavandes

Route du Mont Ventoux

84390 Sault

www.la-ferme-aux-lavandes.com 

T: (0033) (0)4 90 64 13 08

To know more about the Lavender Routes check www.routes-lavande.com

T: (0033) (0)4 75 26 65 91

E:info@routes-lavande.com

• France
• lavender walks
• Petr Mayle
• Provence
• Sault
• South of France