In Tunisia in the shade of bitter orange trees
Originally from Asia, the bitter orange tree was introduced to the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages.
Much appreciated, the essence of its flowers – neroli – sublime eau de Cologne and perfumes.
After the Second World War, Tunisia developed the cultivation of bitter orange trees and became the world's leading producer of orange blossom.
Its orchards are concentrated around the Cap Bon peninsula, this long garden (plantations of roses, iris, etc.) in the northeast of the country, washed by the Gulf of Tunis and the Sicily Canal.
The southern gateway to the orange fields is located around Hammamet.
Going back towards Nabeul, at La Badira (5-star hotel with Spa by Clarins), Mouna Ben Halima strives to show its guests another side of Tunisia.
The one who once inspired Macke, Klee, Gide, Cocteau and Wilde.
She also enjoys opening
“a window onto the rich local culture”
.
Orange blossom is one of them.
During the harvest, from March to the beginning of May, La Badira takes its customers to the countryside to witness the manual picking of flowers, visit an artisanal distillery, share a meal with peasant women in these scents which smell of childhood (reminiscence of the smell of cleansing milks, madeleines at snack time).
These strong and generous women share their natural beauty secrets and baking recipes.
Back at the hotel, we find the golden flower at the spa in the hammam ritual, and at the Adra restaurant, in a 100% dedicated menu.
La Badira
(00.216.700.181.80
;
Labadira.com
)
.
“Journey around the orange blossom” package of 2 nights/3 days, €450 per person in a sea view suite. Additional night: €120.
In France, the essence of forests
The Château de la Treyne, screwed onto its rock above the Dordogne river.
SDP
What is this bird that sings?
And the name of this tree?
And this flower?
And this perfume?
In the Lot, guests of the Château de la Treyne, screwed onto its rock above the Dordogne river, have a full experience.
In the 120 hectares of forest which surround this flagship of the French hotel industry (Relais & Châteaux), downy oaks from the causse, truffle oaks, hornbeams and boxwood perfume the air.
A passionate farmer from Lot takes customers on a two-hour olfactory walk, where the forest is combed through with a fine-tooth comb.
Touching bark, identifying smells and animal prints... Reading this forest is done through the pages that nature writes.
Château de la Treyne
(05.65.27.60.60
;
Chateaudelatreyne.com
)
Room from €300, olfactory stroll supplement: €180.
Scented trails around the world
The fertile landscapes of Reunion where ylang-ylang grows.
SDP
Throughout the pages of the
Atlas of Perfumes,
Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, the master perfumer of Louis Vuitton, takes us
“to smell the world, from Calabria to Guatemala, from China to the United States where these essences grow which (the ) have been leading by the nose for so many years
.
We move from Africa, following the traces of the myrrh and incense of Somaliland to the cedar forests of Virginia.
From the cinnamon gardens of Sri Lanka to the Laotian jungle populated with Siamese benzoin.
From the fertile landscapes of Reunion where ylang-ylang grows to the rose gardens of Bulgaria.
Carried by poetic illustrations, a sensory and vibrant journey.
Atlas of perfumes,
by Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud and Lionel Paillès, drawings by Aurore de la Morinerie, photographs by Sébastien Zanella, Éditions Louis Vuitton, 2024, €160.