Lavender is a plant that’s synonymous with the Provence region of France. Its delicate, purple flowers and sweet, floral aroma are renowned around the world. You will find it in your wardrobes to perfume your sheets, in bouquets, in perfume & cosmetics, on our old doors, or even on the paintings of our local artists. Learn more about this natural treasure and why it is now threatened by the technocrats of the European Commission.
1. There are only two varieties of lavender + one hybrid
There are two main types of lavender grown in Provence: the “lavender aspic”, which grows in the plain (from 100 to 700m altitude), with large leaves, which has a camphorated odor and is recommended for massages, the care of burns and insect bites, but which is not used in perfumery because of its camphorated odor.
And the “true lavender”, shorter, the famous lavandula angusti folia, which grows between 700 and more than 2’000 meters of altitude. It is the latter that allows the production of essential oil of fine lavender PDO. Its yield is low but of excellent quality. It is used in perfumery.
The “lavandin” is a hybrid, first created naturally by pollinators, then taken over by man through hybridization.
2. Provence and the gifted climate
Provence has the ideal climate for growing lavender. With hot, dry summers and mild winters, the region provides the perfect conditions for the plant to thrive. The mistral wind, a strong, cold, northwesterly wind that blows through the Rhône valley and southern France, also helps to keep the air dry and prevent diseases from spreading.
3. The very best soil for Lavender
The soil in Provence is rich in calcium and other minerals, which are essential for the growth of lavender. It’s also well-drained, which is crucial as lavender doesn’t like wet feet. This combination of nutrients and drainage creates the perfect environment for lavender to flourish.
4. Blooming & Harvesting
Lavender is harvested between June and August, when the flowers are in full bloom. The flowers are usually harvested by hand and then dried in the sun before being used for a variety of purposes. This labor-intensive process ensures that the flowers are of the highest quality and retain their aroma and color.
5. Aromatherapy and benefits
Lavender from Provence is prized for its high quality and is commonly used in aromatherapy. The essential oil extracted from the flowers is used to treat a range of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Its relaxing properties make it a popular ingredient in candles, soaps, and skincare products.
Why the European Commission puts the sector and our secular culture in danger
A sprig of lavender sets the world on fire. Used since the dawn of time for its multiple benefits, lavender essential oil could be considered a toxic product by the European Commission. A draft regulation, targeting all molecules causing irritation or allergies, could be voted at the end of the year.
As a natural emblem of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, lavender is a favorite of both French and international tourists. Every year, crowds flock to the fragrant fields scattered throughout the four departments (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Drôme, and Vaucluse) in the geographical area of the “Haute-Provence Lavender Essential Oil” AOC (controlled designation of origin).
Already distilled in the 16th century, this aromatic plant continues to enjoy growing success. From the 19th century onwards, lavender cultivation exploded with the development of the perfume industry in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, the world capital of perfumery. Its natural charm is a major asset for the attractiveness of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. This single purple stem polarizes an ever-growing crowd before its harvest in July. It is a significant boon for local producers as well as tourism professionals. From Vercors to Sainte-Victoire, from the Ardèche Gorges to the Verdon Gorges, more than 1,000 km of fragrant and colorful lavender routes offer a unique sensory and initiatory journey, like an ode to Provence. Faced with this natural spectacle, one can understand why Jean Giono said that lavender is “the soul of Provence.”
The revision of the REACH regulation on “sustainable chemistry strategy”, which would be voted on at the end of 2023, requires that all chemical molecules be quantified and qualified. In other words, natural products and essential oils would be concerned and in the firing line. Why? The argument raised by the European Commission would be to promote “an environment free of toxic substances”. If this regulation is approved, lavender would change its status: from a natural product to toxic, it would be registered on the black list of Europe as well as other synthetic substances.
Impossible is not French, we will not let the technocrats in Brussels decide on our age-old traditions.
