Maison de la Lavande in Saint-Remèze: Complete 2026 Visit Guide

At 10 minutes by car from Mas Saint Antoine, on the Gorges road (D490) in Saint-Remèze, the Maison de la Lavande – Domaine Lavandaïs is one of southern Ardèche’s most charming visits. Producer-distiller of essential oils for several generations, the estate has been in the Brun family from the origin — Mr César Brun, the founding grandfather, was already growing lavender on these lands. The site was transformed into a museum in 2002, then bought back in 2015 by the great-grandchildren of César, who run it today with passion.

It’s a visit we often recommend to our guests, especially families and couples looking for an authentic, shaded and accessible activity to discover the Provençal identity of our territory.

Quick essentials

A multi-step visit

1. The Little Train of Lavenders

The guided tour begins with a tour of the estate on a little train through lavender fields. It’s the children’s favorite — and frankly, the adults’ too. This (covered) little train runs between rows of lavender of different varieties and allows you to appreciate the estate’s extent without walking in the summer sun. Allow 10-15 minutes of narrated ride by your guide.

2. Immersive 360° show “Marius and the History of Lavender”

In a 360° projection room, you discover the history of lavender through the character of Marius, a Provençal grandfather who tells the work of past lavender growers. The show is sweet, sensory and accessible to children from age 4-5.

3. The Alambics and Scents rooms

Your guide then takes you to two rooms dedicated to the material culture of lavender: collection of period alambics (some from the 19th century), old tools (sickles, satchels), explanations of different lavender species (fine lavender, lavandin, spike lavender, butterfly) and their properties. The Scents Room lets you compare fragrances of different lavenders.

4. Live distillation (the highlight)

The visit’s highlight, especially in harvest season: live extraction of essential oil by steam distillation on a period alambic. It’s the traditional method. You understand where this precious drop of essential oil comes from and why it costs what it costs.

5. The lavanderie and botanical garden

After the guided tour, you can freely wander in the lavanderie (free access) and botanical garden. This is where you’ll take your most beautiful photos in June-July when lavender is in full bloom.

What’s new in 2026

• Gourmet Counter: the big news of the season. A fine grocery store presenting local and regional products, with possible tasting in summer.
• Renovated Alambics room: during the guided tour, it now offers enriched scenography.
• Multilingual audioguides: visit accessible in audio and writing in 8 languages (English, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Russian) via QR code.

Additional on-site activities

Treasure Hunt (€5)

A fun activity for families: using a map and 8 mystery locations, find « Papé César » and his sheep. Panels and riddles teach children the flora and fauna of the Ardèche garrigue.

Creative workshops (€25-28)

Two workshop formulas around lavender, in addition to the guided tour:

• Soap, bath salt and pouch formula: €28
• Soap, candle and massage oil formula: €25

Bar, artisan ice cream and food

On site, a bar-snack and an artisan ice cream area (with lavender ice cream of course) let you extend the break on the panoramic terrace or at the shaded picnic tables in the lavanderie.

For children

• Educational space on bees: observation hives, explanations on pollination
• Wooden playground with zip-lines
• Little Train immediately appeals to 3-10 year olds
• Treasure Hunt entertains 6-12 year olds for an extra hour
• Artisan lavender ice cream to finish softly

The shop: what to bring back?

Maison de la Lavande & Lavandaïs shop

• Pure lavender essential oils (in-house production, certified)
• Organic and natural cosmetics: artisan soaps, balms, serums
• Perfumes and toilet waters
• Dried lavender sachets for wardrobes
• Derivative products: candles, incense, bath salts

Gourmet Counter (2026 novelty)

Fine grocery store of local and regional products: lavender honeys, biscuits, jams, syrups, scented vinegars.

When to visit? The ideal period

To see lavender in bloom

Lavender blooms in southern Ardèche between mid-June and mid-July, with peak color around the last week of June and the first week of July. Harvest generally starts late July to early August. If your goal is to see purple fields (and take the photos that go with them), aim for late June to mid-July.

To witness distillation

Live distillation takes place mainly in July-August, in harvest season. Off harvest season, an educational distillation is still offered.

To avoid crowds

• Aim for opening (10am) or late afternoon (after 5:30pm)
• Prefer June or September if possible
• Book online to guarantee your slot

How to get there from Mas Saint Antoine?

From Mas Saint Antoine in Bourg-Saint-Andéol, allow about 10 minutes by car. The itinerary is simple: take the D4 toward Saint-Remèze, then follow the D490 (Gorges road) at the village exit toward Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. The Maison de la Lavande is on your right, well signposted. Free parking on site.

For cyclists

The estate is Accueil Vélo certified: 10 bike racks, 2 electric charging stations for e-bikes, repair kit, backpack storage, water point and toilets.

Combining with another activity

• Morning Maison de la Lavande + afternoon belvederes road (D290 starts at Saint-Remèze exit)
• Morning Maison de la Lavande + afternoon Madeleine Cave (10 min, on D290)
• Morning Saint-Marcel Cave + afternoon Maison de la Lavande
• Morning Pont d’Arc + lunch + afternoon Maison de la Lavande

Why we particularly love it

1. Family authenticity: a family business for several generations, you feel it in the welcome.
2. Visit completeness: you really learn something.
3. Total accessibility: reduced mobility, strollers, leashed pets — few visits in Ardèche can claim as much.
4. Proximity: 10 minutes from Mas, it’s nothing.
5. Shaded character: in intense summer heat, we appreciate the trees and picnic tables in the shade.
6. 2026 novelty (Gourmet Counter): we love the idea of extending the visit with a basket of local products.

Why stay at Mas Saint Antoine?

The Mas Saint Antoine, in Bourg-Saint-Andéol, is just 10 minutes from the Maison de la Lavande. We are also 15 minutes from the Madeleine and Saint-Marcel caves, 18 minutes from Chauvet 2, 10 minutes from Ferme aux Crocodiles.

We welcome:

• Families and couples in our 6 independent rural gîtes
• Groups and events with estate privatization for 20 to 38 people
• Corporate seminars outside July-August

Selected by Petit Futé 2026, rated 4.9/5 on 130+ reviews, Mas Saint Antoine combines a large 13×6 m saltwater pool, 2-hectare private park, views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.

To book: +33 6 68 11 48 71 or via our group quote form.

Frequently asked questions

Mas Saint Antoine is available year-round. To discover the Maison de la Lavande and all southern Ardèche treasures: +33 6 68 11 48 71.