History :
Verveine du Velay was created more than 160 years ago by Joseph Rumillet-Charretier, a keen herbalist, skilled apothecary, and no doubt also something of a chemist.
In 1886, Victor Pagès, Rumillet’s cousin, took over the family Distillery to which he gave his name.
A succession of Pagès politicians managed the business as well as Raymond-Julien Pagès, a visionary in the world of rural tourism who established the first “Logis de France” which has now become a major network of hotels and restaurants.
Verveine du Velay has long been part of the region’s gastronomic and architectural heritage, with an elegant building (now a listed monument) in the Saint Jean district in the heart of Puy-en-Velay.
La verveine, a symbol of Auvergne gastronomy
In ancient times, vervain was a sacred herb. The Romans associated it with Venus and considered it to have aphrodisiac properties.
A symbol of Auvergne gastronomy, it's much appreciated by chefs for its rich, subtle flavour.
The PAGÈS Distillery has always grown and harvested its own vervain plants.
The variety used to make Verveine du Velay is lemon verbena, which has a deliciously lemony flavour. It's grown by the Distillery on its own site.
Planted in June by the Master Distiller, it's harvested before the frosts and dried in darkness, then the leaves are removed by hand.
