I was first introduced to Grasse, France through Miller Harris and the brand’s ground-breaking founder, perfumer Lyn Harris. I had the opportunity to handle the London based brand’s PR while I was working as an Assistant Account Executive at a major beauty Public Relations Firm in midtown Manhattan. I gravitate towards people who are passionate, successful and have strong personalities. Ticking off all of these boxes, Lyn Harris was a determined and self-assured woman who spent 5 years training in Paris and Grasse before becoming one of the 1st female master perfumers to launch a line of natural perfumes that tell stories through scent.
I have travelled to France dozens of times, but never had the opportunity to visit the town of Grasse tucked away in the hills north of Cannes on the French Riviera. Located in the area of Provence known for its fields of sweet-smelling lavender, I was looking forward to losing myself in region’s picturesque lavender landscapes this summer. You can’t help but to look forward to being seduced by the “Routes de la Lavande” (Lavender Route from Vaucluse to the Alpes-Maritimes) when wandering the purple hued fields is 1 of the top 10 things to do in Grasse.
While my Summer 2020 Provence dreams were postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am excited about stumbling upon Boyne City Michigan’s Lavender Hill Farm. Lavender plants grow well in full sun with very little water. Thus, the sandy hills of Northern Michigan are ideal for growing lavender. When it rains, water is quickly drained through the sandy soil and the rest simply rolls downhill.
Your eyes filling with wonder takes on a whole new dimension as the delightful scent of majestic flower tickles your nose from the time that you enter the farm’s parking lot. I’m not sure how we missed the opportunity to swing on the rope swing, but excited that we were able to tour the beautiful hills of regal purple lavender (there are more than 20 varieties), explore the unique labyrinth and treated ourselves to lavender sodas. Guided tours that are led via golf cart cover the history of the farm itself, the various farming processes used and the many uses of lavender (including deterring mosquitoes and animals like deer/rabbit).
The centrally-located red barn that now houses the gift shop originally housed the beekeeping operation that eventually blossomed into Lavender Hill Farm. As lavender is a super food for bees, the original owner started out with a few plants to feed her bees. The property now has more than 10,000 lavender plants that are used by local artisans at harvesttime to make the soap, sachets, syrups, cooking spices, essential oils, ice cream and cookies sold at Lavender Hill Farm.
This trip reminded me that when invited on a random road trip, take it because you never know if it may blossom into more adventures. I did not get to see the lavender museum in France that I had originally planned for but I got a day to wander through the hills of one of nature’s most majestic flowers….that did so much for my soul.
“Flowers grow out of dark moments.” - Corita Kent