Lou & Manu – Mélilou
Artisans, friends, and master distillers — Lou & Manu are the heart behind Mélilou, an organic farm rooted in traditional plant distillations from the wilds of Drôme Provençale, France.
Rooted in Plants and Tradition
Lou & Manu are artisan distillers based in the Baronnies Provençales of southern France. With formal training in traditional plant distillation and farming. They cultivate and wild-harvest over 30 species of medicinal plants using organic, small-scale, and time-honored methods.
Artisanal Aromatic Oils. Handcrafted with Care
A Still with a Story
One of the most treasured elements of their practice is the traditional French copper still—passed down by a beloved maître distillateur. With it came a lineage of knowledge, the secrets of distilling Mediterranean plants in the old way. This sacred handover was more than a gift; it was a blessing. Every distillation continues this legacy.
The still is handcrafted from copper and holds 250 liters. Manu shared that its thick-walled construction retains and distributes heat exceptionally well, allowing him and Lou to perform very slow, extended distillations—often lasting over 24 hours. This careful process makes it possible to extract low-yielding and delicate essential oils, such as St. John’s Wort, without burning the plant material. The result is a soft, nuanced, and premium-quality product.
Our Connection
Manu’s path has been linked with ours for over 15 years. He lived with us in France when he was a herbalist student at one of Europe’s most prestigious schools on the topic where Cathy and Jah where both botany teachers.
Our friendship with Lou and Manu is rooted in a shared passion for aromatic plants and the traditional artisanal way of life that still thrives in parts of rural France. Witnessing the beautiful project they’ve brought to life through their organic farm, Melilou, has been deeply touching and inspiring. We are honored to share these rare French oils with you and to bring Melilou’s story to the U.S.
A Return to True Craftsmanship
Choosing Lou and Manu’s oils is a stand for quality, traceability, and tradition. In contrast to mass-produced, industrial oils—even those labeled “French”—these distillations come from one family, one farm, and one region.
Each bottle is a reflection of true artisan craft, rooted in ancestral knowledge and deep care for the land. Supporting their work helps preserve the lineage of small-scale distillation and offers you oils of rare integrity and beauty.
