L’Or des Lavandes: a closer look at Christine
At an altitude of 1,100 metres, nestled between Mont Ventoux and the Luberon Nature Park, the village of Lagarde d’Apt is preparing for a new harvest season.
In the Provençal heat, the aromatic plots release their fragrances, blending the scent of lavender with the spicy aromas of herbes de Provence. It is in this idyllic setting that, over the years, the Fra family has built its reputation on the production of fine lavender using organic farming methods. Successive generations have carried on the family tradition and have managed to preserve this wonderful local product – marvellous in so many ways, yet threatened by industrialisation.
Today, we are visiting L’Or des Lavandes. The Fra family, whom we know well, give us a warm welcome. We take a tour of the estate accompanied by Christine, who now runs the farm with her husband. Behind the large stone house, the lavender field stretches as far as the eye can see. We make our way through the tall stalks, the magical scent of lavender and the song of the cicadas following in our wake.
Profile of L’Or des Lavandes
Location: Lagarde d’Apt, the FRA estate
Type of farm: Organic lavender
Certifications and labels: PDO and Organic
A family-run farm renowned for its expertise
The history of the Fra estate – also known as L’Or des Lavandes – dates back to 1880, the year in which the great-great-grandfather of Lionel, Christine’s husband, decided to settle on this land and cultivate his first lavender plants. The sun-drenched lands of Provence offer ideal conditions for growing aromatic plants and convinced the family to stay. The estate was then passed down from father to son, thus continuing the family tradition.
Christine tells us the story of L’Or des Lavandes, which she has known for many years now. Back then, the lavender was picked by hand and distilled on site using mobile stills and horses. Today, the harvest is no longer carried out using horses, but most of the work is still done by hand. The lavender is cut using shears and then left on site for two to four days to dry in the sun. It is then taken to a local distillery and placed in a still. The essential oil is then obtained through steam distillation.
Over the years, L’Or des Lavandes’ production method has remained virtually unchanged, the result of time-honoured and recognised expertise. Christine is proud and delighted to have preserved the essence of the place and to carry on what her parents and grandparents taught her:
“We produce the same lavender as we did 100 years ago. It is thanks to the continuation of this centuries-old expertise and our knowledge of the land that we have been able to preserve the quality of our products”
A rare and precious variety of lavender
In Provence, lavender is a true symbol. The region’s flagship crop, it is also the pride of its inhabitants, who have been cultivating it for generations. Christine tells us that the region is home to various species of lavender. Butterfly lavender, a branched shrub that owes its name to its airy tufts resembling butterfly wings; aspic lavender, with its camphor-like scent; Lavandin, a hybrid species that is easy to grow but has a less delicate scent than the other varieties… And finally, fine lavender, which is distinguished by its dense foliage and short flower spikes that give off a subtle, instantly recognisable fragrance.
It is to this variety that the Fra family has dedicated their farm. Here, there are no hybrid or cloned varieties! The wild genetics of lavender have been preserved. Christine explains: “We want lavender that is free to grow spontaneously on our farm – vigorous, fertile lavender that can reproduce naturally. Hybrid varieties are not welcome here; they are anything but natural, and the quality is not the same.”
Rarer and more precious, fine lavender is considered the Queen of Lavenders. Its complex fragrance captivates even the most discerning perfumers, and its properties make it an exceptional essential oil.
Cultivating this precious aromatic plant is a full-time job that demands rigour and patience. The flowering period is long, and some seeds can sometimes take several years to germinate.
“Lavender is a whole philosophy of life. We cultivate it with respect for the soil and natural cycles, which forces us to slow down,” says Christine.
Committed to preserving wild and organic cultivation
The Fra family has always been committed to preserving their traditional farming practices, out of respect for both traditions and the environment. Despite the influence of neighbouring growers and the temptation to switch to a more intensive production method, they have remained true to their values: quality, integrity and respect for the environment.
Another commitment from which the Fra family has no intention of wavering: organic farming. In 1979, Maurice Fra converted the farm to organic farming. He was one of the first to oppose the intensification of farming advocated by the Green Revolution and refused to use chemical inputs, pesticides, synthetic fertilisers or GMOs on his land – even though these were regarded as miracle solutions at the time.
That same year, together with other producers, he began the process of obtaining the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) to protect and guarantee the origin and cultivation of lavender produced in Haute Provence; this was approved in 1981. Following the standardisation of quality labels at European level, AOC became AOP. Every year, L’Or des Lavandes is awarded the AOP. This designation guarantees that the lavender essential oil has been produced entirely in Provence in accordance with recognised expertise.
Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, the Fra family thus continues to cultivate Lavandula angustifolia whilst respecting the soil and all living things. No fertilisers or plant protection products are permitted, and the fertiliser applied to the plants is of animal or plant origin. The landscape around us bears witness to this: the lavender fields form an irregular chequerboard pattern, which only heirloom varieties can create. Our gaze is lost in the vast expanse of blue. So this is where that delightful fragrance that permeates the skincare products comes from! We thank Christine and set off, carrying with us the sweet floral and herbaceous scent of lavender…
A plant with a thousand virtues
What’s magical about lavender is its many benefits! An essential part of any aromatherapy kit, it promotes sleep and soothes burns, irritations and insect bites. It also helps to relieve sore muscles after exercise. Lavender also offers some extremely beneficial properties for the skin. Its healing, purifying and regenerating properties make it a true ally for sensitive, irritated, blemish-prone and mature skin… Finally, lavender is prized for its soothing scent, which harmonises emotions and promotes calm and creativity. It’s one of our favourite anti-stress essential oils!
