Lavender Hills of Provence

Every July when I arrive in Provence, there's one thing I look forward to before anything else: the lavender.

The scent drifts through the markets, the hillsides glow in soft shades of purple, and for a few short weeks, the entire region feels wrapped in its fragrance. It's one of the many reasons I return year after year.

Lavender has been part of life in Provence for centuries. The Romans are believed to have introduced it to the region, and today you'll still find it everywhere: fragrant soaps, lavender honey, herbes de Provence, and bundles of it hanging in village shop windows.

Dried Lavender Bundles

To have fresh lavender when I’m not in France, I grow Lavandula angustifolia, a hardy English lavender that thrives here in New England. Each summer we harvest it by hand, bundle it with twine, and dry it slowly so its fragrance can be enjoyed long after the season has passed.

Lavender at Home

Lavender is known to have natural healing and stress-reducing properties through aromatherapy and skin care.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy the calming fragrance of lavender is simple: a bundle tucked into a basket or vase, or hung in the kitchen. I'm also especially fond of our little lavender sachets we have in the shop, made by hand with vintage French linens. Slip one into a drawer, under your pillow, in your car, or even in your handbag for a small reminder of Provence wherever you go. They also make wonderful gifts!

If you're longing for a little piece of France, stop by the shop or browse our lavender collection online. From hand-tied bundles and fragrant sachets to French soaps and other lavender-inspired treasures, we'd love to help you bring a touch of Provence into your home.

À bientôt,

Sandra