Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This visit is really one for the ladies. I'm afraid I wasn't terribly excited by being there. -Especially when security about what goes on inside is so strict that no photographs or videoing is allowed. But sometimes you gotta do something to please the better half!
L’Occitane en Provence – The flagship brand was founded in 1976 in Manosque, France. Its products are inspired by ingredients and traditions from Provence and are sold globally through both owned stores and third-party outlets.
Founding and early years
In 1976, 23-year-old Olivier Baussan began producing essential oil from wild rosemary and lavender using steam distillation, which he sold at open-air markets in his native Provence. The following year, he revived the traditional art of Marseille soap-making in Manosque using an old soap factory. The first L’Occitane factory and boutique opened in 1981 in Volx, a village in Provence. The company’s name, L’Occitane, is derived from the French term for “the woman from Occitania,” a historical region of southern France where the Occitan language was traditionally spoken. The name reflects the brand’s Provençal heritage.
Groupe L’Occitane is a multinational holding company specializing in cosmetics, skincare, and wellness products. Founded in Luxembourg in 2000. The group manages a portfolio of beauty and personal care brands operating in over 90 countries. ( There is even a shop in Belfast! ) Its most prominent brand is L’Occitane en Provence, a French skincare and fragrance company established in 1976.
This is a global company. It has received international coverage in financial and industry media, including Reuters, the Financial Times, Forbes, and WWD, for its public listing, acquisitions, and brand expansion strategy.
The company is part of Groupe L'Occitane, which owns several beauty and wellness brands, including Melvita, Elemis, and Erborian. Its corporate strategy includes a focus on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmentally conscious packaging practices.
Groupe L’Occitane has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 55% reduction by 2031, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It has also introduced in-store refill stations, eco-refill packaging, and biodiversity programs with traceable ingredient sourcing.
This visit is really one for the ladies. I'm afraid I wasn't terribly excited by being there. -Especially when security about what goes on inside is so strict that no photographs or videoing is allowed. But sometimes you gotta do something to please the better half!
L’Occitane en Provence – The flagship brand was founded in 1976 in Manosque, France. Its products are inspired by ingredients and traditions from Provence and are sold globally through both owned stores and third-party outlets.
Founding and early years
In 1976, 23-year-old Olivier Baussan began producing essential oil from wild rosemary and lavender using steam distillation, which he sold at open-air markets in his native Provence. The following year, he revived the traditional art of Marseille soap-making in Manosque using an old soap factory. The first L’Occitane factory and boutique opened in 1981 in Volx, a village in Provence. The company’s name, L’Occitane, is derived from the French term for “the woman from Occitania,” a historical region of southern France where the Occitan language was traditionally spoken. The name reflects the brand’s Provençal heritage.
Groupe L’Occitane is a multinational holding company specializing in cosmetics, skincare, and wellness products. Founded in Luxembourg in 2000. The group manages a portfolio of beauty and personal care brands operating in over 90 countries. ( There is even a shop in Belfast! ) Its most prominent brand is L’Occitane en Provence, a French skincare and fragrance company established in 1976.
This is a global company. It has received international coverage in financial and industry media, including Reuters, the Financial Times, Forbes, and WWD, for its public listing, acquisitions, and brand expansion strategy.
The company is part of Groupe L'Occitane, which owns several beauty and wellness brands, including Melvita, Elemis, and Erborian. Its corporate strategy includes a focus on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmentally conscious packaging practices.
Groupe L’Occitane has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 55% reduction by 2031, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It has also introduced in-store refill stations, eco-refill packaging, and biodiversity programs with traceable ingredient sourcing.
