Tulip Alert in Provence

Tulip Field in La Brillanne, picture by Slim MARS

Lately, I’ve been seeing these stunning tulip fields from Provence all over social media. Yes, you read that right – not in Holland, but right here in the south of France. They’re beautiful to look at, but I couldn’t help but feel they serve a bit as a filler for all the Provence lovers eagerly waiting for lavender season in spring. Still, I wanted to see the spectacle with my own eyes, to get a feel for it myself. And just before Easter, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a little outing with my daughter.

Tulips in La Brillanne

There actually aren’t that many of these fields – they bloom briefly at the end of March and the beginning of April. You can find them in Jonquières (Vaucluse) and between the villages of La Brillanne and Lurs in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. We decided to visit the latter.

The fields are easy to find, located right next to the road, with a parking area for visitors. But we were pretty disappointed when we arrived – most of the flowers had already been harvested, and only one yellow field was left. Still, plenty of people were there taking photos. The farmers were selling bouquets directly from the parking lot, and I had a chance to chat with them. They told me that the harvest came early this year because the winter had been so mild.

I also asked about the number of visitors – they said it had been completely crazy. Apparently, so many people showed up the previous weekend that the gendarmerie had to come and manage traffic. I guess Instagram & Co. might have something to do with that...

At least they gave me a great tip: a nearby waterfall where my daughter and I ended up having a lovely picnic. The surrounding area is also full of charming little villages worth exploring, and the pretty town of Forcalquier isn’t far either. So in the end, the drive was worth it.

I’m glad I satisfied my curiosity and saw it for myself. But to be honest, I wouldn’t really recommend it – too many people just looking for a pretty backdrop for Instagram. It doesn’t quite feel right. Plus, the chances of missing the exact blooming window are pretty high – either you’re too early or everything’s already been harvested. And honestly, those gorgeous photos you see online are more than enough for me.

Easter bouquet with tulips from La Brillanne