Celebrating Craftsmanship

A STORY OF TALENT

The true story of L'OCCITANE began in 1976. Its first 50 stores were made by craftsmen from Provence, using Provençal methods. The façades were painted with a mixture of ochre and limewash, the units were made by local carpenters and blacksmiths, and other details – such as floor tiles, mosaics and pottery – were produced by talented local workers. L'OCCITANE has grown a lot bigger since then, but our desire to work with skilled artisans and help keep craftsmanship alive and well is as strong now as it was over 40 years ago.

Our Mission

OUR AIM:

To support artisans from Provence, showcase their skills, and help them to thrive!

CRAFTS ARE DYING OUT

If we do nothing, no less than 80 artisanal skills could disappear in Europe.

SHOWCASING CRAFTSMANSHIP IN OUR STORES

Our stores are a showcase for our products, of course, but why shouldn't they also be a showcase for the works of artisans? It makes perfect sense to take advantage of our international presence to share the skills of Provence with our customers. In this way, we not only support craftsmen and women; we also raise awareness about the importance – and beauty – of traditions and craftsmanship in today's modern world.

WHO? WHAT? WHY?

We will only work with artisans who meet our strict selection criteria! It's important that they share our values and always put the environment first. We want to have partnerships with craftsmen and women who take an ethical approach, show respect for others, and work with natural, high-quality materials. So the first step, before going any further, is to meet them, visit their workshops, and make sure their work is in tune with the spirit, values and roots of our brand.

CRAFTING NEW PROJECTS TO SHARE THE BEST OF PROVENCE

We'll be developing projects to promote artisans through our products, store concept and accessories. Together we can design exclusive creations and tell the stories behind them. Let's put craftsmanship back where it belongs – in the spotlight!