Ever since we visited the Provence region of France way back in the fall of 2011, I have had it on my bucket list to return during the lavender blooming season. In spite of our aversion to traveling in peak tourist season and deep dislike of intense heat, we finally made the trip this year. We flew into Marseille for ten days in Provence, then flew to Limoges for a few days, and then ended our trip with a few days in Lyon. It was a great trip in spite of the heat and harsh light (for photos). In addition to my getting dozens of photos of lavender and sunflowers (just a few below),  we visited numerous charming villages, drank great wines, ate good food, greatly enjoyed the college-town vibe of Aix-en-Provence, kicked back in the quiet Limoges area, and loved the city of Lyon with all its street art and diverse restaurants.

While we were there, Marseille had an awful wildfire between the city and the airport that closed the airport for a day. Fortunately, we were able to avoid any interruptions due to the closure.