Scent travel report: Southern France
Wild mountain lavender
The female collectors of the Cevennes
Fragrant plant: Wild mountain lavender
Growing region: Cevennes, France
Cultivation partnership since: 1985
Special features: Wild harvesting in the hills of the Cevennes by a group of women, thus reviving an old tradition.
A journey to the hills of the Cevennes is always also a journey into the farfalla story, because the collaboration with the «femmes des Cevennes» is the oldest fragrance plant project, and the essential oil of wild mountain lavender is one of the most important essential oils and a very special Grand Cru oil* in the range.
Like in a Cézanne painting
The Cévennes in southern France: Here, nature reigns supreme. It demonstrates its power through deep gorges and primeval mountains. Here, you might suddenly find yourself on one of the ridges, surrounded by hundreds of sheep and goats. A region like a Cézanne painting. Powerful, expressive, unforgettable. And that scent! Pleasant and spicy, herbal, sometimes damp with cave air, then delicately floral, always different.
We at farfalla fell in love with the Cévennes over 40 years ago. Daily life here isn't for pampered city dwellers, because life isn't easy. Those who live here were either born here or made a conscious decision to do so. They come because of the expressive landscape, the clean, fragrant air, because people here still seal deals with a handshake and a spoken word still means something.
Here we found people who taught us a great deal with their simple and genuine way of life. People for whom organic living is simply "logical." We were particularly impressed by one group of women.
*"Grand Cru" is our label for particularly high-quality organic oils whose origin is characterized by a social or ecological added value.
Where wild mountain lavender grows towards the sky
The "Causses" (mountain ranges) are very typical of the Cévennes. The foragers' paths lead up endless curves to altitudes of 1200 m, which can cause problems for those with weak stomachs.
The women are equipped with a week's worth of picnic supplies and their harvesting tools: sickle, whetstone, baskets, cloths, first-aid kit – and of course, mountain lavender essential oil to treat bee stings. They sleep in simple huts or tents.
Early in the morning, they fan out in all directions, swinging their sickles and filling their cloths with wild lavender until they are bursting. Often, the heavy loads of cloth are carried back for kilometers on their heads to a place where the truck can reach them. The work is arduous and physically very demanding.
Then and now
Before the Second World War, mountain farmers, shepherds, and herdsmen gathered mountain lavender in the Cévennes and distilled it in the main town of St. Croix. But for decades this tradition seemed to have been forgotten.
Jean-Claude Richard recalls:
“When we – the first Farfalla generation – distilled the essential oil with Claire in the village square in the 1980s, for the first time in over 40 years, the villagers flocked to see us. Many elderly people gave us advice on how it was done in the old days. One elderly woman brought her laundry, which she washed in the runoff lavender water. She explained to us that her clothes smelled wonderful for days afterward and also kept moths away.”
Les femmes des Cevennes
Claire Moucot is a woman in her fifties with the natural charm of this region. Her twinkle in her eyes is striking, and her handshake is unforgettable. It really says it all. This woman knows what she wants. Like no other, she has turned her visions into reality. For over 40 years, she has worked with organic plants, and her friendship and partnership with Farfalla has lasted just as long. She has gathered around her a group of women dedicated to the wild plants of the Cévennes hills.
Jean-Claude Richard on Claire:
"What impressed me most was Claire's knowledge of plants, as well as her incredible energy and zest for life. For me, she was and is a true plant whisperer."
Later, many like-minded women joined Claire in collecting and distilling wild plants. In recent years, Claire withdrew somewhat due to her age, and one of the women from the group took over her role. Today, a community of about fifteen women, led by Anne-Claire, continues Claire's work and now distills primarily wild plants in a newly built, modern still.
Why use mountain lavender essential oil?
Between July and September, the women harvest approximately 8000 kg of wild-growing mountain lavender. From this, about 50 to 60 kg of essential oil are distilled – a precious commodity whose first-class quality earns Farfalla the Grand Cru label.
Unlike cultivated lavender, which grows to about 80 to 100 cm tall and is harvested mechanically, mountain lavender is a delicate plant, only 25 to 30 cm high, that spreads widely across the mountain slopes. Naturally, it can only be harvested by hand. This wild harvesting preserves an old tradition and supports the local community.
Only those who have participated in the harvest can truly understand this arduous and physically demanding work. But the satisfaction of the harvest shines through in the eyes of the women who gather it.
How do lavender oils differ in aromatherapy?
Lavender fine
Lavandula angustifolia
The high linalyl acetate content gives this essential oil its powerful relaxing properties. It helps with tension, racing thoughts, skin problems, and promotes relaxation, harmony, and restful sleep.
Wild mountain lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
This is also a Lavandula angustifolia with very similar characteristics to the lavender variety, though these are even more pronounced due to the high altitude. The plant is rather inconspicuous and small.
Lavandin
Lavandula hybrida super
A crossbreed of different lavender varieties, its fragrance is characterized by a slightly bitter note. The higher camphor content makes the essential oil more energizing than relaxing.
Spike lavender
Lavandula latifolia
With entirely different constituents than Lavandula angustifolia, 1,8-cineole and relatively high camphor content are particularly characteristic. Suitable for stimulating and invigorating massages as well as for sports oils.
