Lebua Lodge at Amer on the outskirts of Jaipur houses 40 futuristic tents -- canvas cubes in the backdrop of Aravalli hills. Here lies a spa by L’ Occitaine that brings in French Provencal wellness and Mediterranean flavour.

One would find another L’ Occtaine spa nestled in the Himalayas, 8,825 feet above sea level and amidst unspoilt acres of Gulmarg meadows. In the last three years, the €1-billion French company tiptoed into Indian wellness nooks for the rich and famous.

Now it manages six boutique spas in the country in collaboration with the property owners, where French concept of natural body care mixes with Burkina Fasso’s shea butter or ayurvedic elements, South-East Asian techniques and novelty of Corsican scrubland.

Parallel to spa ventures, L’ Occitaine has established 15 retail outlets in the country – 10 flagship stores and 5 shop-in-shop with Shoppers Stop. The accent is more on own-stores, the latest being in Kolkata.

Gilles Moutounet, Country Head of India for L’ Occitane en Provence told Business Line that this year, the outlets may go up to a total of 18. “We have firmed up one in the National Capital Region. A couple of them may come up in the southern region,” he said.

L’ Occitaine showcases about 350 products in India for body care, skin care, hair care or fragrances or men’s grooming products – made of almond, cherry blossom, angelica, lavender et al.

The official indicated that the French company is moving slowly and securely in India to tap its long-term potential. Though 50 per cent of the company’s business comes from Asia, India is still a miniscule market. “Japan is the top revenue generator in Asia. Other major markets are China, Hong Kong, South Korea,” Moutounet said.

In India, the skin care range made of Corsican flower “immortalle,” that is said to have anti-ageing ingredients for correcting deep wrinkles and maintaining skin firmness, is popular.

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