LECTURER'S BLUE

Since the Renaissance, southwestern France has been involved in the intensive production ofIsatis Tinctoria, otherwise known as woad, the plant which, when crushed and fermented, produces a brilliant blue color like no other. Gascony became a land of Cocagne, the "cocagnes" referring to the woad balls. From then on, Toulouse was at the heart of a flourishing European trade, at least until the discovery of indigo and, even worse, synthetic dyes. Fortunately, a small resistance movement organized to keep Lectoure blue alive in the country. Here, you'll discover the history of pastel and its transformation into a natural dye. Founded in 1994, the factory almost ceased all activity and disappeared in 2016, before being saved in extremis and reborn like a phoenix under the leadership of the former owner and two of his employees, who were involved in saving it. Passionate and determined to save a tool and promote local know-how, they involved a farmer in the adventure, who continues to produce the dye plant. They moved their workshop to the edge of town and developed a range of organic products. In their store, you'll find a wide range of clothes, scarves, soaps, beauty products and paints, all of which have in common, as you'd expect, the natural pigment close to the blue of the sky. Thanks to Henri, Cécile and Séverine for keeping the tradition of Lectoure pastel blue alive!