In spring, join the rose harvest in the Valley of Roses, alongside the women who pick the flowers early in the morning. Hafsa, a French-Moroccan chemist, chose to come back to the valley to promote its local heritage. She or a member of her team will welcome you to the cooperative’s workshop and tell you how the Damask rose came to the region, and about its central role in the local economy and in family life. They will then walk you through the main steps of the process, from picking to distillation, before taking you out to the fields. There, you will join the harvest alongside the women of the valley — everyone gets a basket, and the roses picked are then shared out fairly, as the women are paid by the weight they collect. It is a simple moment of exchange, even without a common language, where gestures and smiles say it all. Around 8:30 am, it’s back to the workshop for a hearty breakfast in the garden while the roses are brought in. You will then help with the careful sorting of the flowers before the first distillation begins. It takes about 1.5 hours for the first drops of rose water to appear, so the start of the distillation marks the end of the workshop, but you are welcome to stay until the end of this step if you wish.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Experience available in French and English
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3.5 Hours.
Available from about April 15 to May 15, from 7:00 am to 10:30 am. - Open to all.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Included: guide, equipment and full breakfast.
- Not included: transport, tip.
PRICES FOR THE ROSE HARVEST IN THE VALLEY OF ROSES
Our experiences are private (you won’t be mixed with other people).
1 person: €80/person
2 people: €55 per person.
For 3 people: €40 per person.
4 people: €38 per person.
5 people or more: €36 per person.
Child rate (ages 4 to 10): 25% off.
Children under 4: free.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ROSE HARVEST IN THE VALLEY OF ROSES
When booking, let us know your preferred date, the hotel where you are staying, and any allergies or special diets so the breakfast can be adapted.
The time may change slightly the day before, depending on the weather.
On the day, wear comfortable clothes, ideally long pants to avoid scratches from the rose bushes! Also bring a small bottle of water each.
An important note for photographers: the women generally don’t like being photographed up close. Favor silhouettes from a distance and close-ups of their hands picking, and ask permission before taking portraits (it always goes better at the end of the experience, once you’ve built a connection).
