Sault Lavender Festival

Sault, capital of fine lavender from Haute-Provence

Perched at 765 meters above sea level, the village of Sault overlooks one of Provence's most spectacular lavender plateaus. The Sault plateau, an extension of the Vaucluse plateau, is carpeted each summer with fields of fine lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) that tint the landscape purple and fill the air with an inimitable fragrance. This territory is at the heart of the AOP Huile Essentielle de Lavande de Haute-Provence (Protected Designation of Origin for Fine Lavender Essential Oil from Haute-Provence), the highest distinction for French fine lavender, guaranteeing exceptional olfactory quality recognized worldwide.

Fine lavender from Sault is cultivated between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level, on well-drained limestone soils, in a mountainous climate with hot, dry summers. This altitude gives the essential oil a concentration of esters, particularly linalyl acetate, which gives it its calming properties and complex olfactory profile, very different from the hybrid lavandin grown in the plains. The harvest, which runs from mid-July to mid-August depending on the year and the altitude of the plots, is a crucial moment for the plateau's lavender growers.

The Lavender Festival: a celebration born in 1986

The Sault Lavender Festival was created in 1986 by local lavender growers and associations keen to promote their crop and share their passion with the public. Every August 15th, the Assumption Day holiday, the Sault plateau transforms into a festive stage to honor the queen of the Southern Alps. This date is not coincidental: August 15th traditionally marks the end of the harvest season on the plateau, and this public holiday allows the whole family to participate in the celebration.

The chosen venue is the Sault hippodrome, a vast open-air space offering a panoramic view of the surrounding lavender fields and the majestic Mont Ventoux in the background. This exceptional setting, where the blue of the sky blends with the purple of the fields and the green of the forests, is a spectacle in itself.

The French Sickle Lavender Harvesting Championship

The most anticipated competition of the festival is undoubtedly the French Sickle Lavender Harvesting Championship, an ancestral discipline that perpetuates the gestures of the harvesters of yesteryear. Professional lavender growers compete in a test of speed and technique, armed with their traditional sickles, on demarcated rows of lavender. The movements are precise, the rhythm sustained: one must cut close to the ground, quickly and cleanly, without damaging the stems or leaving any residue.

Alongside the professional competition, an amateur contest allows the public to try their hand at sickle harvesting. Novices thus discover the physical effort and technique required for this traditional harvest, and the stories of the elders suddenly come to life with meaning and substance. These moments of exchange between generations and between growers and visitors are at the heart of the festival's spirit.

Distillation Demonstrations and Lavender Market

Steam distillation is at the core of the process of transforming lavender into essential oil. During the festival, traditional stills are set up on site, allowing the public to witness the extraction of essential oil live. The process is fascinating: freshly cut lavender stems are packed into the still, steam passes through the plant, carrying the aromatic molecules, and then condensation separates the essential oil from the floral hydrosol – the famous lavender floral water.

The large producers' market brings together the plateau's lavender growers, distillers, and artisans. You can find AOP-certified essential oils, floral waters, natural cosmetic products (soaps, creams, perfumes), dried sachets and bouquets, lavender honey, and jams. It's an opportunity to meet the producers directly, learn more about their practices, and buy high-quality products through short supply chains.

Entertainment, Shows, and Conviviality

The day is filled with activities for all audiences: children's workshops around lavender (herbariums, scented sachets, floral crowns), photographic exhibitions, beekeeping demonstrations, guided walks in the lavender fields. Street shows and concerts entertain the hippodrome throughout the day, creating a festive and warm atmosphere.

On-site catering highlights local products from the Sault plateau: Provençal gratins, goat cheeses, honey, and local herbal products. The refreshment stand offers cold drinks and lavender herbal teas. Admission to the festival is completely free, in the spirit of a popular and accessible celebration, which contributes to its growing success.