Luberon Lavender Field |
Lavender is not native to France but thought to originate in Persia or the Canary Islands. My visit to the Lavender Museum began with an explanation of the difference between fine lavender (lavandula angustifolia) and hybrid lavandine, which was first cultivated in the early 1900s. The hybrid variety, recognized by its three flower stocks, is propagated by cuttings and produces a higher yield than fine lavender. Only 40 kilograms of lavandine flowers (versus 130 kilograms of fine lavender) are required to produce one litre of essential oil. Lavandine has a sharper, more camphorous scent whereas lavender is sweeter and more floral.
I then saw two films about the cultivation,
harvesting and distillation of fine lavender on the Château du
Bois estate, which accounts for ten percent of production in France. The
lavender farm is located in the high altitudes of Lagarde d’Apt, between the
Luberon and Mont Ventoux.
The museum’s exhibits include a number of copper stills dating from the 16th century used to extract the lavender essence. An old mobile distiller used for a series of seasonal crops (rosemary, lavender and fruit) has bullet holes from government efforts to prevent the use of the still for making alcohol.
Bullet Hole |
Traditional clothing worn by the men and women who harvested the lavender crops by hand was made from boutis, a stuffed quilting created in Marseille, and printed fabrics imported from India.
Scythe for Cutting Lavender |
At the end of the tour I bought some pure lavender essential oil in the Château du Bois boutique but was soon lured outdoors by the rows of lavandine behind the traditional Luberon farmhouse.
For more information, visit the Musée de la Lavande web site.
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