Reine des Près means queen of the meadows in French. It was given that name for its delicate, dominating beauty that spreads across the meadows of Provence. Traditionally used in European medicine for its anti-inflammatory powers, it’s still found in herbal remedies.

The main ingredient in our Reine Blanche collection is the Meadowsweet flower. This source naturally contains Salicylic Acid which is known to help epidermal renewal, enhance the skin luminosity and therefore evens out the complexion. The Meadowsweet flower grows in Provence, from June to September.

Drawing on its extensive botanical research, L'Occitane has discovered a plant with the power to spectacularly illuminate the skin. Meadowsweet is grown in Lus la Croix Haute, in the Drome region of France, where L'Occitane has a relationship with local producers.

Our picker, Jean-Pierre Pavier harvests Meadowsweet flowers in the wild by hand. With the aim of preserving wildlife, he only cuts the flower spikes and leaves the rods. Jean-Pierre leaves 50% of the flowers on plants in order to help their renewal and ensure a sustainable supply. From that 50%, he picks the ones that have released their pollen already so they can continue to sustain in their environment.