Plunge into the world of the plants of Haute Provence
During previous centuries, the harvesting and growing of perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants forged a considerable part of the identity of the Montagne de Lure and more generally speaking Haute Provence.
Artemisia museum takes you on a discovery of the perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants of the Montagne de Lure, which is a Unesco listed site.
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The permanent trail takes you on a ramble following in the footsteps of the herbalists, to discover local biodiversity, lavender and alcohol distilleries, manufacterers of cosmetics and perfumes in 7 exhibition areas over 250 m².
Young and old, amateurs or enthusiasts, let the 8 areas take you into the fascinating history of local plants.
See, touch, smell, hear…
The little extra at the end of the trail: listen to Eugène Plauchud’s fairy tale “La Danso des parfums” written in 1894 in the sensory area.
ear…
You are the actor of your visit and you will be using your senses and feelings all along the trail.
Artemisia museum is an ingenious mix of educational panels, plants to touch, botanical illustrations to compose and fragrance galeries. We offer you an authentic multi-sensory immersion.
The little extra at the end of the trail: the sensory area.
4 good reasons for coming to Artemisia Museum
Educational and fun trails
Discovery workshops
multi-sensory immersion
Trail accessible to children
OUR 8 TOUR AREAS
- LURE, AN OPEN-AIR HERBARIUM
The Montagne de Lure is located at a biogeographical crossroads which marks the limit between Mediterranean and Alpine climates. In the 18th century, the Montagne de Lure attracted the attention of Provencal botanists who made it their favourite prospecting area…
- PICKERS AND PEDDLERS
The wide variety of flowers on the mountain provided the people living in the villages of the southern foothills of the Montagne de Lure with a multitude of medicinal plants and made it a favourite prospecting area.
- THE DRUGGISTS
The descendants of the peddlers of the Montagne de Lure gradually became druggists or pharmacists. They set up shop in the regions they went through.
DISCOVER
> THE STORY OF DRUGGISTS FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
- LAVENDER
Lavender, which has become the emblem of an entire region, thrives in the soils and under the skies of the south of France, right in the middle of the garrigues, thyme and broom, and makes up an aromatic and colourful land like no other.
DISCOVER
> LAVENDER, THE SOUL OF HAUTE PROVENCE
- DISTILLATION
As a land of aromatic plants, Provence rapidly made a name for itself in the art of distillation and the extraction of the active principles of plants. Aromatic waters, essential oils and alcohols soon held no secrets for local alchemists and they still excel in this field.
DISCOVER
> DISTILLATION, A TRADITION IN HAUTE PROVENCE
- PLANTS & ELIXIRS
In the 19th century, herbalists from Lure became chemists, liquorists or distillers of alcohol or perfume. They concocted drinks and beverages with properties to help purge impurities, tone, refresh, stimulate appetite and aid digestion.
DISCOVER
> A STILL AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN
- PLANTS & BEAUTY
Cosmetics have been made using natural ingredients since ancient times,. Originally made by apothecaries, in the 19th century their use shifted from beauty products to hygiene products.
DISCOVER
> PLANTS, A SOURCE OF BEAUTY
- THE SENSORY AREA
Come into our sensory area and discover Forcalquier pharmacist and Félibrige poet Eugène Plauchud’s fairytale.
DISCOVER
> THE DANCE OF SCENTS