We were suppose to go on another hike after the Fountain Vancluse, but it started raining pretty good, so we had a change of plans. Instead, we went to a lavender museum (not kidding, they have a museum for this). It smelled amazing the moment we entered the building. They taught us the difference between Lavender and Lavendine: lavender grows in the mountains only and the other can grow everywhere below the mountain elevation. Lavendine is found in larger quantities and has a stronger scent, so it is put in detergents and other strong smelly stuff like soap. They showed us a video of how the scent from the lavender is extracted. Large bails of lavender is placed in this giant metal boiler and steam goes through it and a connecting pipe that condenses the steam back to water and the natural oils from the lavender is separated from the steam. The lady took us on a history lesson about the beginning of the lavender extraction: the progression of the boilers they used and the clothes that were worn and how the whole family would help pick the lavender. After the tour of the museum, we were in a boutique and can buy any of the lavender infused items is we wanted to. There was a %25 discount for us. We weren't allowed to take any pictures of the museum (the French love to refuse pictures in museum-like places), so I don't have any for the blog. After the museum, we went home to Antibes and that was our trip through Provence.
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Nicole JohnsonI am a college student studying abroad in France. This is my journal of all that I see and experience on my journey. Archives
December 2015
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