Meet Dominique, an arborist from the Baux Valley for 40 years

A family passion passed down from generation to generation

Dominique has been cultivating olive trees for almost 40 years, a trade inherited from her grandparents, who settled on these lands after the First World War. It was from them that she learned the ancestral techniques she continues to practice today.

A unique relationship with her trees

Each olive tree is like an old friend to her. The annual pruning and constant care have created an almost intimate bond with each of her trees. The sight of the olive trees under the morning mistral wind remains her favorite moment: "When you wake up in the morning, there's the shepherd, they're making hay... you smell the hay, it's a bit magical."

Lasting bonds

The partnership with Jean Martin dates back to her grandfather. The families of the valley have known each other forever, the children sharing school and games, the adults cultivating almost familial ties as they cultivate their olive trees.

Being Maussanais, a way of life

For Dominique, arboriculture is not just a profession: it's a way of life, a skill to pass on, and a way of living in harmony with the valley. As she simply puts it: "That's what it means to be Maussanais."