Rows of purple rolling over the meadows

I highly recommend a lovely day excursion to the Lavender Fields in Valensole, just 2,1/2 hours by car from the Principality of Monaco.  It is the time of the year when the French countryside dresses in purple, and the sensual aroma of lavender permeates the summer air. From mid-June to mid-July you can see the lavender in full bloom!

This Sunday, the sky was a beautiful blue with some fluffy clouds like cotton balls, making an excellent contrast with the rows of purple rolling over the meadows into the mountains far behind. Bees were buzzing all around, but they were too busy to pay attention to us or the other visitors taking photos to immortalize the experience. Thanks to my husband Zsolt for the nice portraits.

Celina in the lavender fields, July 12, 2020 @Zsolt Lavotha

Lavender fields, mountains and clouds, Valensole, July 12, 2020 @CelinaLafuente de Lavotha

The sun caressing the lavender fields of Valensole in Provence, July 12, 2020 @ Celina Lafuente de Lavotha

Admiring the rows of purple lavender @Zsolt Lavotha

Lavender’s healthy properties

Lavender comes from the Latin “lavare,” which means, “to wash.” It dates back to ancient Egypt, where the oil was used for mummification. In Persia, ancient Greece, and Rome, lavender was used to purify the body and mind.  Lavender flowers are known to represent purity, silence, devotion, grace, and calmness. Purple is the color of royalty and signifies elegance and refinement.

The lavender flower and the oil made from it are used in herbal medicine to treat all kind of ailments:

• promotes calmness
• helps with insomnia and nausea
• soothes irritated skin
• calms toothaches
• relieves headaches by rubbing the temples with the oil

I keep sachets of dried lavender in our placard drawers, and I love to put a drop of lavender essential oil on our pillows before going to bed for a peaceful sleep.

Today’s Quote

“Bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron. It’s the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.”  Mia Kirshner