THE FRANC HOUSE 1884
Our Heritage
From the family distillery founded in 1884 in Revel, the cradle of ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation, was born the passion that drives Franc 1884 today. Founded by Philippe Franc, the house enhances lavender. More than a family story, it is a true ode to nature and artisanal excellence, reinvented with modernity and elegance.
AT THE ORIGINS
Family Roots
As a child, I spent hours filling miniature bottles in the family distillery founded in 1884 in Revel. Entering this world of scents—peppermint, wild strawberry, plum, lemon—was a shock of freshness and a real pleasure.
This passion naturally led me to lavender, which is related to peppermint. I learned how to source raw materials, master the crafts and processes, and always strive for excellence to create a unique multi-sensory experience.
"Between humility and determination, I understood that this heritage, passed down by my father and ancestors, was the force that guides my path - a tribute to the year 1884."
PHILIPPE FRANC
AN ETERNAL NEED FOR NATURE
A traveler's path
"From my travels from North to South, I have retained a sense of hospitality and the power of fragrances. Seafarers taught me to "do well" for the common good. After years as an engineer in industry and energy, I still missed nature. 25 years ago, in Provence, a neighbor offered me a lavender spindle, a gesture full of meaning: all of Provence welcomed me. Since then, this gesture has become for me a symbol of openness and sharing."
THE MEETING
The Magic of Lavender
Unique and exceptional, lavender seduces us, and each year brings a new encounter. Sourcing these agricultural and textile materials requires true expertise, mastering each step, from the field to the finished product. Indeed, it is necessary to master the fundamental processes and understand them.
We also master the creation of our lavender bouquets and various fragrances from A to Z, from their origin in the fields to the user. Lavender and lavandin offer us so much to discover that excellence tells us: everything remains to be done!
BEARER OF SCENTS
The Heritage of the Future
The art of living is revealed every day. Lavender spindles, timeless symbols of Provence, unite humans around the values of sharing, freedom, and excellence. They embody a natural fragrance, good for the body and mind, reminiscent of breathing freely in the great outdoors, far from artificial odors. Today, "breathing well" is possible: take care of your loved ones and beautify your spaces. Human experience throughout the ages has shown how well-being, happiness, and hospitality contribute to building bridges and peace between peoples and continents.
IN A FEW DATES
Our History
AT THE ORIGINS
Creation of the FRANC distillery
Over a century of passion for taste and natural materials by the FRANC family. Winner of the MARSEILLE GRAND PRIX in 1922, the leader in Peppermint, the FRANC Distillery has over 70 formulas and patents. As a child, Philippe FRANC discovered the secret alchemy of perfume, as plants, flowers, and fruits constantly emit a multitude of light and beautiful odorous substances: these are olfactory molecules.
THE CREATION
The Franc 1884 Adventure is launched
Having set off on a long-distance voyage, Philippe discovered the hospitality of perfume-producing countries and the art of perfume. Reconverted to a land-based career, he learned the importance of quality in the nuclear industry. It was in 2004 that he paid homage to his heritage and made Provençal lavender the ambassador of the French art of living: elegant, pure and natural; it is the "Signature Parfum" of France. Philippe makes the lavender box that he weaves with passion his profession: "I am not a chemist, I am a picker, I am not a perfumer, I am a carrier of scents."
Philippe FRANC
FRANC 1884 JOINS THE ART WORKSHOPS OF FRANCE
Art Workshops of France
Philippe continues a journey from the heritage of the past to the heritage of the future. For the love of lavender and the mountain terroirs of Provence, he creates, imagines, designs, and explores the exceptional olfactory capacities of lavender. This artistic profession is a profession of passion, which avidly consumes time and energy. His MAQ (Quality Assurance Manual) guarantees the learning of the right gestures. Best practices, then innovation and audacity allow him over the years to carry out the craziest projects, but also to train, transmit and constantly progress.
COLLABORATION WITH THE CHEVAL BLANC HOTEL
The 1st Signature in “Dry Perfume”
In the world of hospitality, the olfactory signature is becoming a rare recognition. Philippe creates the first Christmas baubles with the scent of the Cheval Blanc Hotel in Courchevel, replacing lavender with the Blue Cedar fragrance, the signature of the legendary establishment. His technique, with its unique and lasting olfactory quality, opens up new possibilities.
THE GESTURE OF PERFUME
Perfumes, a language between cultures
Welcoming the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates and the DBWC (Dubai Business Women Council) to the Senate in Paris. The gesture of Perfume takes on its full meaning, an exchange of "Signature Perfumes": French lavender and Oriental perfumes will create bridges between humans and cultures. "It is our terroirs that we love and honor." From now on, an exceptional relationship will be built between our regions, where perfume expresses the interest and desire to develop a rich and deeply human relationship, and where pure and natural fragrances reign supreme.
DIOR X FRANC 1884 COLLABORATION
The Dior X Franc 1884 Private Collection and No. 24 of the Christian Dior Advent Calendar
Collaborate on the realization of two ambitious projects: one places the "lavender at the very top" in a magnificent DIOR Art de Vivre box for Christmas, and the other places the DIOR perfume, EAU NOIRE (created by Mr. Francis Kurkdjian), as gift No. 24 for Christmas night in the DIOR Advent calendar. The fruit of rare know-how, intact audacity, and mutual trust, allowing for a successful working relationship.
LAVENDER NECTAR
The Perfume of the Future Exists
The FRANC 1884 innovation marks a true revolution in the approach to Lavender. This is the appearance of the first 2024 lavender vintages. With the bees' favorite lavender, FRANC 1884 innovates again in the material and extraction of perfume molecules. FRANC 1884 creates its Liquid perfume and allows you to "Breathe well & Breathe healthy"... For the first time in the world, lavender essential oil expresses all its facets, with its top note, its heart note, its base note and its lasting gourmet trail... 2026 is a year to follow!
Free delivery
From €150 of purchase for the European Union and €300 of purchase for the rest of the world
Gift box
Gift wrapping available for all orders
At your service
Contact us by email contact@franc1884.com