This is the story of a small flower with hints of blue and mauve and a magical heady scent. It reaches full splendor from Mid-July to Mid-August and carpets the slopes of the "Midi" between Mont Ventoux and the forested region of Esterel in FRANCE.

Its name, lavender was coined during the Middle ages and derives from the latin verb "lavare" - to wash. The romans used lavender to scent their baths and their laundry, and during the Renaissance, tanners from Grasse freshened their accesories with it.

Lavender is part of the mint family which also includes thyme, savory, oregano and the sage..

Nearly 70 species including subspecies have been identified , only 3 grow naturally in France.

LAVANDE MARITIME found near the Mediterranean sea

LAVANDULA SPICA found in southern France in areas under 800 meters

TRUE LAVANDER which grows in the dry montanous areas from 600 to 2000 meters .

Lavender is the mark of Provence.It first blooms in June and is gathered in July or August. It is no longer cut by hand but mechanically.

Between July 20 and late August, under a scorching sun, the locals live according to lavender time. After it is cut and dried, the flowers in bulk or in bunches are stuffed into the beaker of still which is used to extract lavender's essential oils.

Copper stills and pot stills have been replaced by patent stills in which straw is used as fuel.95 to 150 pounds of flowers, according to the types, are required to obtain just a quart of essential lavender's oil.

Although a large percentage of production is used in cleaning products, pharmaceutical and cosmetics, the essential oil finds its highest purpose in Grasse, still the perfume capital of the world. Lavender is also used in cooking and seasoning, flavoring dishes such as lambs and tincturing ice creams andcalissons from Aix en Provence. TOURS CAN BE OFFERED IN THE PROVENCE REGION BY FUGUES EN FRANCE

Fugues en France set up programs for food lovers in france

For further information , please contact us :

Fugues en France
e-mail:fugues@club-internet.fr

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