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Salt marshes cosmetics by ECLAE
What do the salt marshes of Camargue (southern France), pink flamingos and ECLAE brand beauty products have in common? The micro-algae Dunaliella Salina! This micro-algae thrives in extreme salt concentrations found in environments like lagoons and salt pans. It is notably abundant in France’s Salins d’Aigues-Mortes, a protected natural site of salt marshes . Dunaliella Salina produces a beta-carotene pigment shield against UV radiation and adapts with polyunsaturated fatty acids and glycerol to survive hyper saline conditions. The algae’ harvest takes place during the summer phytoplankton bloom. Water evaporation and salinity levels are very high and the algae’s defence process is then at its maximum. Its massive production of…
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Authentic Parisian roof decoration by Toit de Paris
How would you like to take a little piece of Paris with you? An authentic object which, from its height, will have borne witness to the history of the capital? This is what the company “Toit de Paris” offers with its extraordinary idea of recycling the zinc roofs of traditional Parisian buildings into superb decorative objects! Zinc roofs have been one of Paris’ architectural signatures since the Haussmann works of the 19th century. Its shades of grey, which cover the capital, are known worldwide. More than 70% of Parisian roofs are made of zinc, a material chosen for its lightness and resistance to corrosion and bad weather. France…
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Wooden puzzle by MICHELE WILSON
From the first children puzzle, born in England in 1760, to the most modern versions of today, the puzzles mania have been travelling in the world. Since 1975, Puzzles Michèle Wilson brand is the worthy successor of the wooden puzzle craft working. Of course the puzzles are now cut with an electrically powered jigsaw and no more with a manually operated one …But it still requires a specific handmade knowledge in order to follow the different color lines. Today some 20 employees are working between Burgundy and Paris workshops. Various puzzles themes are available for children and adults, from 12 pieces puzzles to …2500 or even 5000 pieces puzzles !…
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Perfumes & cosmetics by FRAGONARD
In 1926, Eugène Fuchs funded the Fragonard House in the city of Grasse. Grasse was the famous French perfumes capital, with a mild climate allowing flowers cultivation. Eugène Fuchs’ idea was to sale perfumery products to the tourists (yet !). During this inter-wars period, they were discovering the French Riviera’s charms… The brand name was a tribute to the famous XVIII century painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard; he was born in Grasse city and was the son of a local perfumed gloves manufacturer. The Fragonard House is one of the last familial perfume business of the Grasse region. The 3 great-granddaughters of Eugène Fuchs ( Anne, Agnès et…
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Tea by DAMMANN FRERES
The French Tea History dates back to the Versailles’ court times. The royal court was found of novelties and was excited to discover the East Indies secrets. In 1692, the French King Louis XIV gave an exclusive licence * to Mr Damame for the tea trading. (* the famous King’s edit for “caffé, thé, sorbec, chocolat”= for coffee, tea, ice-cream and chocolate !). Since then, the company Dammann Frères have been investing in tea and/or spices factories abroad, in boutiques or retailers networks. But also have been creating its own blends and accessories: * years 50′: creation of the first french flavored blend (“Douchka” black tea blend),…
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Organic cosmetics by MELVITA
The Melvita brand is one of the French organic cosmetic pioneer. It was founded in 1983 in the south of France (Ardeche region) by Mr Bernard Chevilliat, a biologist and beekeeper. MEL for Miel (honey) and VITA for Vie (Life)…! The initial cosmetic range was made with hive products. Nowadays, more than 200 clean cosmetics products are available (10 cosmetic patents have been registered). They are 100% manufactured in France in the eco-plant still located in Ardèche. You can so make your choice between the organic plants’ oils, floral waters, honey based products….etc. There even is a range for babies ! The organic beauty products are available…
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Coin collection & jewelry by MONNAIE DE PARIS
The “Monnaie de Paris” was founded in 864 by the French King Charles II. The King’s purpose was to decree the creation of a coining workshop in Paris, attached to the crown. At the time, 8 coin striking workshops were scattered right across the territory. For several centuries, the number of royal workshops varied. By 1878, only Monnaie de Paris was still in operation. Its current location (Quai de Conti) was decided by the King Louis XV. In 1958, President Charles de Gaulle relocated the coins factory (industrial minting) in the west of France ( 44 Pessac). The ultra-secured factory not only manufactures the Euro coins used in France…
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Household linen by GARNIER-THIEBAUT
The “Garnier-Thiebaut” brand is one of the 3 last jacquard French manufacturers. Reminder: Jacquard fabric is a textured fabric with complex patterns woven into it, rather than printed, dyed or embroidered on the top. It is the French Joseph-Marie Jacquard, a weaver of the textile Lyon city, who created in 1801 the revolutionary Jacquard loom.The machine uses a series of punch cards, rather than a draw boy, to guide the loom, telling it which threads to raise at which times in order to create a jacquard weave. “Bistanclaque pan ” is the other nickname of the jacquard loom, due to its specific working noise. And by the way, the same…
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18th century inspiration artcraft by ANTOINETTE POISSON
When 2 heritage restorers re-discovered the “Domino” paper technique ! In the 1700s, the decorative papers were hand-blocked crafted by the Dominotiers (French guild of paper makers). Those papers sheets were used as wallpaper, decorative papers (books covers) or lining boxes….But during the next century, with the new continuous paper roll, the Domino technique slowly disappeared. Luckily, Vincent Farelly and Jean-Baptiste Martin have been reviving this “savoir-faire” in their Parisian workshop. They even named their brand with the real name of the Marquise de Pompadour, the King Louis XV’s favorite (she was a lover of art and wallpaper, who lived when the domino papers flourished ). You will…
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Cosmetics by L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE
Who would have thought that a small business created in 1976 in the south of France would tun out to be such a successful international group ? Well, certainly not the historical founder, Mr Olivier Baussan, who used to sell its essential oils and soaps on the local markets in Provence… L’Occitane En Provence brand offers natural beauty products dedicated to well-being, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean art-de-vivre and traditions. It is 100% made with French ingredients (excepting the Shea butter coming from Burkina Faso), with a sustainable sourcing and clean formulas. Almonds, peonies, lavender, cédrat, cherry blossoms, organic immortelle, roses, aromatic herbs…etc. The choice is large among the various…
