With its chimney giving it the look of a steamboat, we see it from afar. And the fragrances which escape from it don't pass by unnoticed. Thyme, rosemary and especially lavender: the Bleu Provence distillery transforms the plant, with the help of steam, into essential oil.

Philippe Soguel, distiller by trade and 'chef' of scents by passion, works at the stoves, with three vats of more than 2,000 litres. Provençal herbs cultivated mainly in the valleys of Mévouillon and Poët in Percip and on the Ferrassières plateau. A great olfactory bouquet to discover during a visit to the distillery, which will also be an occasion for diving into the techniques of distillation, the botany, the history and the economy of lavender.  To be followed, if you want to bring a little bit of provençal Drôme with you, with a little hop next door to the boutique managed by Christine Soguel.

Contact and information: www.distillerie-bleu-provence.com

Distillerie Bleu Provence
58, Promenade de la Digue 26110 Nyons
Tel. : + 33 (0)475 261 042
Photo: Distillerie Bleu Provence

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Certain monasteries in France and in the world remain places of a living faith. L'Abbaye d'Aiguebelle, located ten kilometres from Grignan en Drôme, is one of them. Presently numbering 30 monks from 36 to 92 years of age, the community leads its monastic life, helping the poor, welcoming those who want to make a retreat and live by working with their hands.

In a long tradition of distilling medicinal plants which has been practiced for centuries, l'Abbaye d'Aiguebelle offers a range of products in his little store that are well worth the detour. There we find the famous Alexion, a non-alcoholic drink that offers the combined benefits of 52 plants. There are also balms made from essential oils (try the geranium if you have irritated skin!), lavender with its healing, antiseptic and digestive properties, the coffee of the Abbaye de Koutaba straight from a monastery in Cameroon, and the delicious syrups that are simply for pure pleasure.

An amusing detail: l'Abbaye d'Aiguebelle, who answers to l'Ordre Cistercien de la Stricte Observance (OCSO), the Cisterian Order of Strict Observance, no longer sheltered monks for almost 25 years at the end of the 17th century. In 1815, a group of Cisterciens came and brought the monastery to life again. From a group of French monks from l'abbaye de La Trappe and placed under the guidance of the Father, they travelled the length and breadth of Europe, pursued by revolutionary armies, before finding refuge in Aiguebelle. They came directly from Switzerland...

Contact and information: www.abbaye-aiguebelle.com
Le Magasin de l'Abbaye
26230 Montjoyer - France
Tel.: (+33) (0)475 986 473
Photo: Alexion, Abbaye d'Aiguebelle

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With 400m deep valleys and 700m high hills, one rapidly accrues a 600m vertical drop for a 20 to 30km hike! So if you like quiet walks on flat ground, you will not find this appealing.

On the other hand, ascents and long descents in particular are a specialty of the area and of Fabrice Hilaire who offers trips twice a week. Foothills of Couspeau, forests of Saoû or the Dieulefit region, plenty of ideas for outdoor living enthusiasts. The 60 or 80km routes don't scare you? Then ask him to take you on a «grand tour». You will not regret it.

Then, on the way back, check out the camping site that he, his wife and another couple of friends manage with the same «grand air» spirit and respect for the environment. A terraced layout, hedges for privacy, a large size swimming pool, cute wooden houses for those allergic to canvas and even Tai Chi classes. Enough to reconcile even the most reluctant to the pleasures of camping.

Contact and information: www.couspeau.com
Fabrice Hilaire, Kawan Village - Camping Le Couspeau, Quartier Bellevue 26460 Poët Célard Tél + 33 (0)475 53 30 14

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