L'Occitane has been based in Wicklow Street, beside one of Dublin's busiest shopping districts for five years. Olivier Bassaun originally founded the company in Provence in the south of France. All the ingredients used to make the fragrances are natural and the essential and vegetable oils are organically grown.

L'Occitane is certainly a very environmentally conscious and forward thinking shop. The shopping bags used are made from recycled seaweed. The alga was removed from the Venetian canals under a program to combat pollution. The products sold are never tested on animals. There are no animal products or by-products used in the manufacture of L'Occitane's products (with the exception of honey and milk.) Many of the items on sale in the Wicklow Street store include Braille labelling.

One of the most popular ranges in L'Occitane is the Shea Butter range. This ultra-rich butter, also known as "Women's Gold", is extracted from the nut of the Shea tree by women in Burkina Faso in Africa specifically for L'Occitane. It protects, nourishes, moisturizes and regenerates. The Shea Butter collection is a complete range of Hair, Face and Hand and Foot beauty products. This is a Fair-Trade initiative and the Shea Butter is purchased directly from the women's co-operative.

Today, L'Occitane employs some 1200 people. In addition to mail order sales, there are 280 L'Occitane stores in nearly 40 countries. All products and stores reflect the company's core values of authenticity, simplicity, sensory pleasure and respect for people and the planet. There is also a company guarantee that none of its products are manufactured by child labour.

The Men's Range-“Cade”-is very popular as about 20% of the store's clientele are men. Shaving products, fragrances and Bath and Shower goods are in stock. Watch out for The New Valentines Range- “Four Roses”- which will be stocked in the Dublin shop shortly. The range includes Eau de toilette, body lotion and shower gel.

L'Occitane Ireland,
15 Wicklow Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel : 6797223