Southern France
Wild mountain lavender

Fragrant plant: Wild mountain lavender
Growing region: Cévennes, France
Cultivation partnership since: 1985
Special features: Wild harvested in the hills of the Cévennes by a group of women, thereby reviving an old tradition.

A journey into the hills of the Cévennes is always a journey into farfalla history, as the collaboration with the "femmes des Cévennes" is the oldest fragrant plant project, and the essential oil of wild mountain lavender is one of the most important essential oils in the range.

Like in a Cezanne painting

Here, in the Cévennes in southern France, nature reigns supreme. It demonstrates its power through deep gorges and archaic mountains. On one of the ridges, you might suddenly find yourself surrounded by hundreds of sheep and goats. In this region you find yourself in a Cézanne painting. Strong, expressive, memorable. And that scent! Pleasant and spicy, reminiscent of herbs, sometimes damp from a cave, sometimes delicate as a blossom, always different.

We at farfalla fell in love with the Cévennes over 40 years ago. Everyday life here isn't for spoiled city dwellers, because life isn't easy. Those who live here were either born here or made a conscious choice. Because of the expressiveness of the landscape, the clean, fragrant air, because people here still sign contracts with a handshake, and because spoken words still count for something.
Here we found people who taught us a lot with their simple and authentic ways. People for whom organic simply makes sense. We were particularly impressed by one group of women.

 

Where wild mountain lavender grows into the sky

The "Causses" (mountain ranges) are very typical of the Cévennes. The trails used by the foragers lead through endless curves up to the altitude of 1,200 meters, which can be difficult for those with weak stomachs.
"Les femmes" are equipped with a week's picnic and their harvesting tools: sickles, whetstones, baskets, cloths, a first aid kit—and, of course, mountain lavender essential oil to treat bee stings. The women spend the night in simple huts or tents.
Early in the morning, they fan out in all directions, wielding sickles and filling their cloths with wild lavender until they are brimming. Often, they carry the heavy loads of cloth on their heads for miles to a location where the truck can reach them. The work is arduous and physically demanding.

 

Then and now

Before the Second World War, mountain farmers, shepherds, and herdsmen collected mountain lavender in the Cévennes and distilled it in the capital, St. Croix. But for decades, this tradition seemed to have been forgotten.

Jean-Claude Richard remembers:

"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 the area. Many elderly people gave us advice on how it was done in the bygone days. An elderly woman brought her laundry, which she washed in the lavender water that ran through the lavender. She explained to us that this kept her clothes smelling wonderful for days and also kept moths away."

 

The women of the Cevennes

Claire Moucot is a woman in her fifties who evokes the natural charm of this region. The mischievousness in her eyes is striking, and her handshake is unforgettable. It really says it all. This woman knows what she wants. She has turned her visions into reality like no other. She has worked with organic plants for over 40 years, and her friendship and partnership with farfalla has lasted just as long. She gathered a group of women around her who are dedicated to the wild plants of the Cévennes hills.

Jean-Claude Richard about 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 still is a true plant whisperer."

Later, many like-minded women joined Claire in gathering and distilling wild plants. In recent years, Claire has withdrawn somewhat due to her age, and one of the women from the group has taken over her role. Today, a community of approximately fifteen women has grown up around Anne-Claire, continuing Claire's work and now distilling primarily wild plants in a newly built, modern still.

 

Why mountain lavender essential oil?

Between July and September, the women collect approximately 8,000 kg of wild mountain lavender. From this, they distill approximately 50 to 60 kg of essential oil—a treasure whose superior 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, 25 to 30 cm tall, that spreads widely across the mountain slopes. Naturally, it can only be harvested by hand. Wild harvesting preserves an ancient tradition and supports the local community.
Only those who have experienced the harvest can truly appreciate this arduous and physically demanding work. But the harvest's satisfaction shines brightly in the eyes of the gatherers.

Little lavender oil guide

Lavender 
Lavandula angustifolia
The essential oil of common, or English lavender owes its highly relaxing properties to its high linalyl acetate content. It helps with tension, distractions, and skin problems, promoting relaxation, harmony, and good sleep.
Wild mountain lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Also a Lavandula angustifolia, it has very similar characteristics to English lavender, although due to the high altitude, they are even more pronounced. The plant is rather inconspicuous and small.
Lavandin
Lavandula hybrida super
A hybrid of various lavender varieties, its fragrance is characterized by a slightly bitter note. The higher camphor content makes the essential oil more stimulating than relaxing.
Spike lavender
Lavandula latifolia
With completely different active ingredients than Lavandula angustifolia, 1,8-cineole and a relatively high camphor content are the main ingredients. Suitable for stimulating and invigorating massages, as well as for sports oils.