It is often joked by us Anglo Saxons that the French lack a word for "entrepreneur", but Olivier Baussan justly qualifies for that title. Readers will recognise his enterprise L'Occitane , a now world wide chain of boutiques selling soaps and perfumed products based on lavender of Provence and also L'Olivier, shops selling various olive oil and vinegars in attractive bottles. Having sold or given up running these enterprises, Baussan has now launched epiceries Premieres Pression, with a range of products based on another Provencal staple - the almond. He has acquired the makers of the famous "calisson", a diamond shaped sweet made from ground almonds, which he is convinced can be marketed around the world like his previous brands. Nespresso apparently already buy about 10% of the production, though that is about all the export business.
In addition a new production centre will be a "tourist factory" near Aix en Provence. Hoping to attract tourists as well as customers. The Fragonard factory in Grasse has 1.5 million visitors annually and even the Haribo plant at Uzes over 300000 and Baussan hopes that the Confiserie du Roy Rene will match that.
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