FRANCE: MORE THAN 6,000 LAVENDER PLANTS FROM THE SOUTH OF FRANCE ARE PLANTED IN THE PLACE DES VOSGES GARDENS IN PARIS

Record ID: 376776

  • Title: FRANCE: MORE THAN 6,000 LAVENDER PLANTS FROM THE SOUTH OF FRANCE ARE PLANTED IN THE PLACE DES VOSGES GARDENS IN PARIS
  • Date: 26th June 2001
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (26 JUNE 2001) (REUTERS) SMV PLACE DES VOSGES VARIOUS, TRUCKS AND FORKLIFT TRUCKS BRINGING PLANTS IN POTS (3 SHOTS) HAV, OF LAVENDER GARDENS AND FOUNTAIN VARIOUS, WORKERS ARRANGING POTS OF LAVENDER PLANTS IN GARDEN (2 SHOTS) WIDE OF PLACE DES VOSGES GARDENS AND LAVENDER VARIOUS, GARDENERS MEASURING OUT AND ARRANGING POTS OF LAVENDER (2 SHOTS) SLV GARDENERS W
  • Embargoed: 11th July 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVAEY91NNP5A4QR3BCB4Z8PRJIEU
  • Story Text: A true lavender field has been recreated in central Paris, to let people have a glimpse at the beauty and the versatile properties of the plant.
    More than 6000 lavender plants from Haute Provence, in the south of France, have been taken to Paris and planted in the gardens of Place de Vosges. For four days, an undulant field of the violet flowers that are standard in any southern garden, will make the Paris air balmy with its characteristic, fresh scent.
    The ephemeral show, organized by the Haute Provence Lavender Association, is aimed at enlightening Parisians and visitors about the amazingly versatile properties of the plant and the essential oil that is distilled from it, the only to have received the prestigious AOC (appelation d'origine controlee) denomination.
    Lavender has been used for centuries because of its many virtues. The Egyptians grew it in their walled gardens, using the flowers for perfume. The Romans used it for bathing, while Victorian women tucked small lavender bags under their pillows to ensure a restful sleep.
    Lavender only grows well at over 800 meters of altitude, on calcarean, sunny land. It is harvested in July, and distilled during the month of August. According to growers, the result is a warm and comforting oil whose pleasing scent melts away nervous tension and anxiety, and lifts depression.
    Lavender production has been challenged in recent years by the appearance of artificial oils which entered in competition with it. But Provence has fought back, and today the French growers cultivate more than 4000 hectares and produce 60 tons of essential lavender oil per year, which represents 70 percent of the world production.
    Some of the plants in the lavender field of Place des Vosges will be offered to other parks and gardens in Paris on Sunday (July 1), and others will be sold for the profit of an association that helps blind children learn the perfume making trade.
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