Flax, a Norman treasure

Normandy: France's leading flax-growing region

The Seine-Maritime region, with 19,000 hectares of flax grown out of a total of 60,000 in France, is a true leader in this field. From textiles to food, furniture, decoration, construction and even the automotive industry, where it is used to design door and seat trim, flax is an exceptionally rich resource.

Today, it shapes the local economy and, thanks to its durability and innovative potential, has established itself as an essential material on a global scale.

History and Heritage of Norman Flax

The Pays de Caux has seen flax growing flourish since the 13th century. After a decline in the 19th century due in particular to competition from cotton, flax cultivation was revived when Flemish farmers, experts in the field, settled in the region. Normandy flax is grown mainly in Seine-Maritime, Eure and Calvados. Normandy accounts for 63% of France’s production of fibre flax, a know-how steeped in history, whose roots go back to the Neolithic period.
Even back then, linen was used to make clothes and for mummification in Egypt.

Today, most combed linen is exported, mainly to China. Although cultivation, spinning and weaving techniques have evolved little over the centuries, flax production in Normandy remains an economic mainstay.

Flax farming in Seine-Maritime

Every year in mid-June, the Cauchois countryside is decked out in electric blue thanks to the fields of flax in bloom. This ephemeral spectacle, which only lasts a month, then gives way to an astonishingly geometric decor made of ribbons of golden stems, carefully lined up to dry in the open air.

The flax, plucked to preserve the length of its stalks (essential for extracting the textile fiber), goes through the crucial retting stage, which separates the fibers from the woody part called “shives”. Nothing is lost: the by-products are used to feed livestock or produce oil, while the textile fibers, after dyeing and combing, are spun and woven into the hard-wearing, soft-touch fabric we know.

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Flax growers

In Seine-Maritime, the flax tradition is perpetuated by cooperatives and passionate producers, mainly located in the Pays de Caux region. These craftsmen and professionals cultivate, transform and add value to flax, combining ancestral techniques with innovation.

A must-see is the Écomusée – Tradition du Lin, which offers a fascinating insight into the world of flax, from its cultivation to its countless applications. For lovers of local crafts and products, numerous boutiques and workshops offer linen creations, combining authenticity and modernity.

The ecological benefits of growing flax

Flax is recognized as an ecological material par excellence, requiring few inputs and flourishing perfectly in Normandy’s temperate climate, alternating fine rain and generous sunshine.

A versatile, zero-waste plant, flax makes the most of every part of its structure: its long fibers for textiles, its short fibers for paper and composite materials, and its shives, used as fuel for boilers or incorporated into particleboard.

More than just a clothing material, flax can be found in tent fabrics, car doors, airplane seats, tennis rackets, concrete and insulating panels.

The cultivation and processing of linen embody a strong commitment to respect for the environment. Studies show that it is up to 50 times more environmentally friendly than other textile fibers, a major advantage that is increasingly appealing to impact-conscious consumers.

Flax events

The Festival du Lin et de l’Aiguille is one of the region’s flagship events focusing on linen culture, history and the environment. Held in the heart of the Pays de Caux, this festival celebrates linen in all its forms: fashion shows, exhibitions, creative workshops, visits to fields in bloom and meetings with producers.

It’s a unique opportunity to discover the entire industry, from plant to finished object, while enjoying a friendly, festive atmosphere. Join us in July in the Dun Valley for 3 days of events and discoveries. A complete program, perfect for discovering the Normandy countryside.