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As you reach for the scoop of lavender in the lobby, close your eyes and inhale deeply. The dried blossoms before you carry an unassuming history. The pale-purple cousin to mint, lavender has seduced humanity with its gentle bouquet and powerful healing properties for more than two thousand years. Ruled by the planet Mercury, it’s an original symbol of dedicated love, allied with Cupid.
Lavender’s use-cases evolved for centuries as different cultures adopted the plant and found new and innovative ways to utilize it. The ancient Egyptians used lavender in their mummification process, for interior decor and as a perfume. The Romans were the first civilization to discover its medicinal properties. French farmers in Provence noted that they never got infections from sickle cuts in lavender fields.
Lavender left its mark on each of these cultures, and over time, founds its way into the homes of people all around the world.
Despite its wide variety of everyday uses that you may know and practice, lavender’s initial popularity stemmed from royalty. In England, Queen Victoria’s obsession with the fragrant herb ultimately catapulted lavender to its place in the modern marketplace. Her royal love of lavender spurred English ladies to embrace it with equal fervor, and in turn the demand encouraged cultivation and commercial farming to maintain supply levels.
While now cultivated in all corners of the globe, lavender is of course largely associated with France — from the origination of the modern perfume industry in Grasse to the famed Routes de la Lavande in Provence. Over time, lavender processing became the main business in parts of the country, and the plant quickly grew to be an export shipped all around the world. The French’s preoccupation with lavender helped revolutionize global scent trends and even changed the face of wartime medicine, as they discovered the blossom’s intense healing qualities.
This plant, while so well renowned and widely used, is deeply tied to each of the cultures that it’s used in. You probably encounter lavender on a regular basis, whether it is as a key confectionery ingredient in the kitchen or a sleep aid under your pillow. It is because of these deep rooted cultural impressions and soothing qualities that we invite you to experience lavender during your stay.
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Now open your eyes. Fill your sachets. Tuck one under your pillow, place one in your suitcase to greet you when you unpack. Remember lavender’s deep-rooted history, and may its healing and aromatic qualities help you take pause when you need it most.
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