Lavandin creeps into the grain fields of Beauce, a region known as the “breadbasket” of France.
This diversification project is supported by the Scael Agricultural Cooperative, which collects the production of around 3,500 farmers, mainly located in Eure-et-Loir.
For these cereal growers, accustomed to huge surfaces and demanding plants such as wheat or beet, lavandin has advantages: “This plant facilitates pollination and is water efficient.
It makes it possible to add value to drying and stony land, ”explains Jean-Sébastien Loyer, Managing Director of Scael.
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To offer a nearby outlet, Scael has launched the construction of a distillery in Orgères-en-Beauce.
In this 400 square meter building, lavandin will be used to produce natural essential oils from next year's harvest.
This small factory will cost one million euros to Scael, which benefits from aid of 200,000 euros from the recovery plan.
Supply the major brands of perfumes
It will be a first for the region.
The oil extracted from it will be sold to manufacturers using lavender-based perfumes and aromas.
And there are many in the region, since several companies work for the major brands of perfumes and cosmetics in the neighboring towns of Chartres, Orléans and Blois.
So far, 70 farmers have adopted lavandin, for only part of their fields.
That is to say more than 200 hectares cumulated.
“This sector complements traditional cultures.
It is also an enhancement of our territory.
There is a real element of surprise when you pass a field of lavender in bloom, ”notes Éric Brault, farmer and president of the cooperative.
Until now, lavender and its little brother lavandin were mainly exploited in the south-eastern quarter of France.
But it adapts well to other terroirs.
France has lost its place as European leader in this production, now overtaken by Bulgaria.