The Essence of Provence: The Story of L'Occitane

by Pierre Magnan

Traces the events and inspirations in the childhood life of Olivier Baussan, the founder of the renowed French fragrance company, discussing his early work in an abandoned still with five employees to his rise to the head of a successful international business. 12,500 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Pierre Magnan was a bestselling French author of detective novels steeped in the sights and sounds of his beloved Provence; to readers, his sleuth, Commissaire Laviolette, was as indelibly linked to the land of lavender as Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse was to the colleges of Oxford.

Magnan’s autumnal years were prolific; he wrote more than 30 books and saw his novels adapted for French television and cinema. He was never afraid to experiment and shifted easily to non-fiction, writing, amongst other publications, a gentle portrait of Giono (Pour Saluer Giono, 1990), a study of Provençal novels (Les Romans de ma Provence, 1998) and two volumes of memoirs. In The Essence of Provence (1998) he followed the story of L’Occitane from roadside soap stand to globally known brand. “La Provence was present in all his books,” noted Marie-Laure Goumet, his editor at Robert Laffont.

Reviews

[Nellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I misplaced the book.
This is a translation from French.
I found it challenging to read in that there are no chapters.

This is the story of how L'Occitane came to be.
Olivier Baussan is a dreamer. He also is very interested in the world wanting to use natural products.

à lively read.

[Ali Andromidas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, very flowery romantic language about the start of the famous French brand, befitting for the topic. I did feel the author glossed over Oliver Baussan's negative attributes, such as a tumultuous love life, in favor of a more rose tinted view of the man.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Full of only-near-misses and great news with happy endings and fulfilled dreams.

[Sharon McNeil]

Interesting. History of the Occitaine company in Provence.