Throughout the Luberon region the landscape is peppered with fields of small, round shaped lavender bushes which for almost nine months of the year lie dormant like sleeping hedgehogs. In the spring they begin to sprout and from about the middle of June their fragrant flowers burst into bloom, fanning their purple fronds along the arid ridges of Provence as they have for centuries.

The fields of Provence become splashed with soft shades of violet and lilac as an unseen paintbrush strokes the earth with color. Framed by a backdrop of rich, velvet green from the surrounding hills, with its vineyards, pine trees, orchards and olive groves, the stage is set for this annual symphony of the senses.

The lavender from Sault in the Luberon

Nowhere is the lavender more spectacular in the Luberon hills than in the fields around Sault, about an hour north of Lourmarin. The drive up through the hills and undulating plateaus of the Luberon is spectacular with breathtaking views of Mont Ventoux.

Famous for being one of the toughest climbs in Le Tour de France, Mont Vent0ux is a dramatic, 1,909 m (6,263 ft) high peak which dominates the Luberon skyline. It looks particularly splendid at this time of year with a skirt of ribboned lavender at its feet.

The picturesque little town of Sault sits high on a ridge, from mid June to the end of August the fields in the valley below are resplendent with lavender.

Every summer people flock to see the lavender and Sault's pretty streets and squares bustle with visitors.

No more so than in August during The Sault Lavender Festival which for the last 35 years has celebrated these fragrant jewels carpeting the fields at this time of year.

There are over thirty lavender species and hundreds of varietals. In this region of Provence, most lavender associated businesses grow the hybrid, lavendine. Lavendine is grown at lower altitudes than lavender at around 500-700m. (1650-2300 feet). It is tended with great expertise and surrounded by trees and fields, without pesticides.

Lavendine blooms at the end of June and to ensure it’s not overexposed to the sun is harvested from mid July to August. 40kg (89Ilbs) of flowers are needed to provide one litre (2.2Ilbs) of essential lavendine oil. When we were there in mid July the harvest had already begun.

THE STORY OF LAVENDER

Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Both the Greeks and the Romans recognized its’ healing properties and the Bible refers to it as ‘spikenard’ used to wash the feet of Jesus. Lavender was first used medicinally in France in the 11th century, initially in Montpellier, 160km (100 miles) from Lourmarin. In 16th century England, Queen Elizabeth I insisted on having fresh lavender throughout her residences and in the 17th century it was used as a remedy for the Great Plague in London. During the Victorian era lavender became extremely popular both in gardens and perfumed products.

Often called the ‘blue gold’ by perfume manufacturers, the story of lavender as a perfume, began in Grasse, 200 km (125 miles) from Lourmarin, in the Provencal hills above The French Riviera. In the 12th century, rather than perfume, Grasse was a center for the leather-tanning industry, and its' leather gloves were coveted by the nobility of Europe. These gloves were softened by being soaked in urine, the smell was obviously not pleasant but a local tanner resolved the problem by using a scent of rose water and spices to overcome the aroma. When Catherine de Medici, (Queen of France by marriage to King Henry II from 1547 until 1559), was presented with a pair of these scented gloves she was enchanted. Shortly afterwards, the rare scents from around Grasse, myrtle, jasmine, rose, orange blossom wild mimosa and of course lavender began to be captured and bottled. And so began Grasse's perfume legacy eventually establishing it as the perfume capital of the world.

July Lavender Festival in Apt

The Provençals are quite rightly very proud of their way of life and their traditions which often pay tribute to the bounty of the land in this beautiful region they live. Customs have been handed down through the generations, ones they still love to celebrate. The local lavender legacy is one of these and each year Apt is one of the Luberon towns that hosts a lavender festival.

Lavender products are for sale,

and the farm machinery which harvests the lavender is proudly displayed, both old

and modern.

Distilleries are brought into town and their beaming operators patiently explain how the lavender is distilled.

Hugh bales of lavender are displayed on farm carts and local children hand out sprigs to the visitors.

I'm so blessed to be able to be part of this, to live for several months of the year in this stunning part of Provence is a gift. Celebrating with these warm, generous hearted people, becoming friends with some of them and understanding their simple but profound connection to the land is so special. With its shutters and sunflowers, it vineyards and at this time of year its lavender, the Luberon is truly an enchanting place, one that I cherish, a place I'm so fortunate to be able to fit into my life, for now at least, lucky me!

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You doubtless have heard of L'Occitane en Provence, a soap, creams and lotions company to be found on the high streets and shopping malls of most major cities in the world. Until recently, when I visited their factory in Provence, I had thought they were just another version of several other seemingly similar global brands only with a Provençale twist, using the charm of Provençale mimosa and lavender to allure! I knew L'Occitane products were made in Provence and on the few occasions when I had sniffed and sampled I had thought they were very pleasant but if I am honest I had rather dismissed them. I guess you should never judge a book by its cover, or a soap by is wrapping, even if it is very attractive! Having learned their remarkable story and spent some time familiarising myself with their products I was impressed and am excited to share a little of their story!

It is of little surprise that Manosque, in the east of the Luberon is the birth place of L'Occitane en Provence. The Luberon region of Provence has been associated with lavender growing since it was first brought there by the Romans, over two thousand years ago. Unperturbed by drought or bitter winter chill, lavender soon decorated the hillside plateaus in a warm, fragrant coat. Its therapeutic uses were recognized early on and eventually it was distilled and used in Provençale essential oils, soaps, and perfumes. During World War I it was widely used for medicinal purposes.

L'Occitane en Provence can be found in a sleek, modern building next to the A51 just outside of Manosque close to the Durance River. In early February, despite the azure blue skies, the remnants of a recent snow storm were a reminder of the harshness of winter in this region.

The company L’Occitane en Provence was established by 23 year old Olivier Baussan, in 1976. Originally just called L’Occitane, which means ‘woman from Occitania’, an ancient region which encompasses present day Provence.

Lavender and mimosa from Provence

A traditional lavender still

Using traditional methods of steam distillation to produce essential oil from wild rosemary and lavender Olivier began selling his products at the local markets.

An old soap making 'tulip'

Shortly afterwards he found a disused soap factory in Manosque, where he began manufacturing vegetable-based soaps, reviving the traditional art of Marseille soap-making.

A traditional soap cutting machine

In 1977 L’Occitane had its first lavender harvest. In 1980 Olivier started to explore the world for other ingredients and discovered Burkina Faso, Africa where women produced shea butter.

Realising the immense nourishing qualities of shea, he ordered a large quantity for the factory in Provence and so began the incredible relationship between L’Occitane en Provence and Burkina Faso.

By 1990 L’Occitane en Provence had become a fragrance merchant, even buying a barge to distribute products.

In 1997 L’Occitane en Provence became one of the first companies in the world to feature Braille labeling on its products. And in 2001 it partnered with ORBIS, an international NGO that fights blindness.

5 years later  theL’Occitane en Provence was created to support the blind and help the economic emancipation of women. 2009 L’Occitane en Provence offered eco-refill packaging and the following year the Foundation partnered with Aide et Action to support women’s literacy centers in Burkina Faso.

All of  L’Occitane en Provence's products continue to be developed and produced from its base in Manosque, and it sources the majority of its production from Provence apart from l'Immortelle plants (Helichrysum italicum) which comes from Corsica. In addition L'Occitane supports the cultivation of almond trees in Provence, the development of scented and aromatic plants, encouraging traditional cultivation, particularly of lavender. It does not conduct animal testing, and no animal product or by-product, except for beehive products, are used in the manufacturing process.

In 2013, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognised L'Occitane en Provence as an exemplary company, within the framework of its 2013 "Growing Inclusive Markets" initiative. From 2013, L'Occitane Foundation every two years rewards an ophthalmologist for his work in the fight against blindness.

L'Occtaine en Provence today

Today L’Occitane en Provence has over 2,000 stores in over 90 countries across the world. Having understood their story I now view the beautiful L'Occitane en Provence products with renewed respect. They are beautifully packaged and presented, perfumed with the fragrances of Provence but more importantly they represent doing good, making the world a better place.

If you are in Provence I highly recommend stopping by to learn their story first hand!

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Many of us see January as a new beginning, a time to change the things we don't like. As you reflect, how hard do you have to search to really know what makes you feel fulfilled or happy? As Robert Louis Stevenson said “There is no duty we so much underrate as the joy of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits on the world.” Maybe one of the keys to happiness, is understanding what brings you joy. How often do you take the time to savour the small moments that warm your heart and make you smile? They may seem insignificant on their own, sipping a warm cup of tea, arranging a bunch of daffodils, patting your dog’s head, talking with a dear friend, preparing a new recipe, simple pleasures that fill your heart. Take a minute to pause, think about what stirs your soul. As the days unfold be gentle with yourself but try to embrace each one of these precious moments and treasure them, for these are the things that cannot be bought. Happiness is not a possession but a living emotion, a state of mind, seeing the world with ‘a cup's half full mentality’. No one can do it for us, it has to come from within. If you think optimistically and reflect your own joy out, it will shine back on you. Smile at those you meet in the world and they might smile back at you. The past can only hurt you if hold on to it, let it go. Expect something good to happen each day, it very well might. Strive to be the leading person in your own life and remember,“no pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” Helen Keller

There are many 'little' things that make me happy, such as seeing a bank of Snowdrops on an English country lane and...

Early morning dew

The song of a humming bird

Spring blossoms

A glass of the palest rosé

Cooking for others
Buying fresh produce at the market

Sunflowers, they seem to smile just by 'being'

Visiting a favourite food shop

Arranging flowers

Lavender

and of course in addition to my wonderful husband, my lovely children!

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