L'Occitane Garden by James Basson - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/plants) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Plants What was planted, and who used it ](https://gardensdb.com/plants) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) ![A rustic garden features a dry stone wall, a large boulder, and an outdoor dining set with a purple tablecloth, surrounded by yellow wildflowers and trees.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f61b77fd-b981-4721-9e0a-ecb8fa9e5f62/conversions/L-Occitane_2-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2016) Show Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal L'Occitane Garden =================== Designed by James Basson At a glance Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show Year 2016 Category Show Garden Large Show Garden Photo: Royal Horticultural Society About this garden The story ----------- The L'Occitane Garden celebrates the 40th anniversary of this natural beauty brand by returning to the company's roots in Provence. In 1976, at the heart of Provence, a young Olivier Baussan found a discarded old steam distiller and started producing essential oils from local rosemary and lavender growers, which he then sold at the local markets. The garden is a recreation of the beauty of the harsh yet varied environment of Haute Provence. The garden presents the edge of a lavender field, and looks out onto the rolling hills and stunted woodland of Provence. The plain beyond the garden represents local agriculture with the lavender and almonds typical of the area. A gentle stream runs from a stone hut through the middle of the garden before disappearing under a dry stone bridge. Scent and colour play an important part and add to the sensorial atmosphere of this garden. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/james-basson/profile_photo.webp?v=0a2053b8-14d0-452d-9aec-99beb0557f42) James Basson Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/james-basson) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f61b77fd-b981-4721-9e0a-ecb8fa9e5f62/conversions/L-Occitane_2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/ac769322-0dc1-4b35-8268-9a2f6b752497/conversions/L-Occitane_3-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/e2b79f28-1a61-43f3-a555-99a0f3a5f750/conversions/L-Occitane_4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9978a7cd-fd82-4265-bd9f-4a557f6c4dbf/conversions/L-Occitane_1-gallery.webp) ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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