Lavender Nostalgia
I just came across this story about lavender in the Provence: "In summer, the area pays homage to lavender, the distilleries play open house, flower festivals are prepared and the big day arrives... Flower laden floats proudly cruise down the perfume laden streets of the village, craft producers exhibit their products, honey, essential oils, eau de toilette, soaps, dried flowers...ther's normally a craft fair, to titilate your taste buds with goats' cheese, olive oil, local hams and wonderful fresh bread...". If you don't believe me look up a website called Lavander of Provence. Love it, I could nearly cry or rather bath in lavender nostalgia!
The reality is rather different: The lavender industry in the Provence survives largely on subsidies from the EU's CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) funds. Nevertheless life for small growers is harsh, many distilleries have closed. Tourism is a way to keep things going to some extent and local festivals and markets are one way to promote the industry. I love lavender and the blue lavender fields in the remote areas of the Provence are a sight. But lets keep things in perspective, please!
