Festa della Lavanda
Ancient crafts and essence distillation in the village of Val Roia
About Festa della Lavanda di Airole
The scent of lavender among ancient crafts
In the heart of summer, the village of Airole (Province of Imperia) dedicates a day to lavender and the peasant traditions of the Val Roia. The Festa della Lavanda transforms Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo into a small open-air museum of ancient crafts, where the highlight is the live distillation of the essence in an antique still, according to age-old techniques.
Market, crafts and local flavours
Around the distillation, a craft and food market develops, featuring local products and traditional items. Lavender, with its intense fragrance, serves as the common thread for a day that is both a historical re-enactment and a village festival, capable of telling the story of the rural culture of the western Ligurian hinterland.
Airole and the Val Roia
A village perched along the Roia valley, a few kilometres from the French border and the Ventimiglia–Cuneo railway line, Airole preserves the identity of a secluded, rural Liguria. The Festa della Lavanda is a window into these traditions, in an authentic setting far from the mass tourism of the coast.
Festa della Lavanda di Airole — edition 2026
The Festa della Lavanda 2026 takes place on Sunday, July 12, from 3:30 PM in Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in Airole. The program revolves around the re-enactment of ancient crafts and the live distillation of lavender essence in an antique still, accompanied by a craft and food market featuring local products. The festival is one of the most characteristic events of Airole's summer calendar.
Programme Festa della Lavanda di Airole 2026
Sunday, July 12, 2026
- From 3:30 PM — Opening in Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo
- Afternoon — Re-enactment of ancient crafts
- Afternoon — Live distillation of lavender essence in an antique still
- All day — Craft and food market with local products
Highlights Festa della Lavanda di Airole 2026
Prices Festa della Lavanda di Airole 2026
Practical information — Festa della Lavanda di Airole
How to get there
By train: Ventimiglia–Cuneo line, Airole stop. By car: from the A10 motorway, exit at Ventimiglia, then take SP64 along the Val Roia.
Times and admission
The festival takes place from the afternoon, starting at 3:30 PM, in Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo. Free admission.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Festa della Lavanda di Airole
Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo
Piazza dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo, 18030 Airole