OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
Le Petit Olivier celebrates 20 years at your side in 2023!
The origin of Petit Olivier, created in 1996,
La Phocéenne de Cosmétique
An independent French SME based in Salon de Provence.
Our founders, Eric Renard & Xavier Padovani, attached to Provence and keen to offer natural cosmetics, created their original brand "Senteurs Provençales": The desire to promote profound commitments, ethical and sincere values gave birth in 2003 to our Le Petit Olivier brand.
From the outset, we have chosen to develop products that are as natural and accessible as possible, while remaining committed to respect for people and the environment.
Since its creation, Le Petit Olivier has made the olive tree its symbol and signature. In Salon de Provence, we own one of the last traditional stone mills in the South of France, as well as an olive grove with thousands of olive trees. This allows us to include our own Olive Oil in our Olive range of products!
STEP by STEP
Milestones in our history
OUR BEGINNINGS
Provençal scents
Our founders Eric Renard & Xavier Padovani created the "Senteurs Provençales" brand to offer the best of Provence, a land of scents, nature and tradition.
Already at the time, they were working to offer products made in France, not tested on animals, without animal matter, while favoring ecological alternatives for their packaging.
2001
One Voice anniversary
Anticipating new regulations, Le Petit Olivier and One Voice are committed to animal and global ethics.
By becoming a partner of One Voice, we officially undertake not to market our products in countries where animal testing is required. We also give priority to ingredients of natural origin and do not use any animal products in our products, with the exception of beeswax and honey.
2003
Le Petit Olivier
This was the birth of our brand as you know it today!
Let's take a look back at our old packaging... Did you recognize them? Le Petit Olivier is an authentic French brand, created in Salon de Provence in the south of France. Deeply rooted in our region, we have made the olive tree our symbol and signature.
2009
Le Domaine du Petit Olivier
Our La Phocéenne de Cosmétique Group acquires an olive grove with 1,500 olive trees and the Moulin de Cante Perdrix.
Located in Saint Bonnet du Gard in the south of France, this is one of the last stone mills in the region. Our olive oils have won numerous medals at agricultural competitions.
Part of the olive oil produced at the mill is incorporated into some of the Olive Range products.
Thanks to a circular economy system, we limit waste by reusing pomace and margine (waste from oil production) in the form of fertilizer. Since 2014, our farm has been organically farmed.
2015
Inauguration of our research laboratory
We set up our first research and development laboratory in Salon de Provence.
The richness of nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for our R&D laboratory. We continue to research the most natural formulas possible to ensure the safety of our products. We were the first company to eliminate parabens from our products, ahead of any restrictive regulations!
2017
Essaouira solar village
In Morocco, in the Massa-Drâa region, in collaboration with the Mohammed VI Foundation for the research and preservation of the Argan tree, we helped create Africa's first autonomous solar village.
By helping to finance solar equipment for: the creation of a photovoltaic electricity network for the village of Idmjahidi (Essaouira province, Morocco) and the construction of a building for pulping and crushing argan nuts, enabling the creation of an autonomous women's cooperative.
2017
La Table du Petit Olivier
Opening of our signature restaurant in Epône, Yvelines.
Southern cuisine, olive oil from our mill, fresh, local and seasonal produce grown according to sustainable or organic farming standards.
2019
Creation of the Idmjahidi village education center
Previously, children had to walk 10km a day to get to elementary school and then back home.
By creating a village infrastructure suitable for young children, including a classroom, sanitary facilities, a play area and a sports field, the women of the village can now send their children to school nearby. Thanks to the creation of this educational center, we are working to improve the quality of life and literacy of the Argan population.
2018
Partnership with the Office National des Forêts
For the preservation, rehabilitation and development of the Traou dou Gari site in the Luberon state forest.
Restoration of low walls and farm surroundings. Creation of a Provençal orchard and lavender plantation: lavender, olive and almond trees, melliferous species favorable to pollinating insects.
2021
Our Group celebrates its 25th anniversary
La Phocéenne de Cosmétique has been in business for 25 years, working every day to make a difference in the world of beauty and well-being.
25 years of commitment to bringing you the most natural, healthy and affordable products possible, through meaningful projects. Because even if we don't change the world by making skincare products, we do believe that the way we do things can change the world.
