Evian is a French brand of mineral water from several sources near Lake Geneva. Evian takes over 15 years to filter through mineral rich glacial sands in the French Alps. Bottled at the source, Evian comes from the Cachat Spring located on the Southern shore of Lake Geneva, in the town of Evian-les-Bains.
| Country | France |
|---|---|
| Source | Évian-les-Bains |
| Type | still |
| pH | 7.18 |
| Calcium (Ca) | 78 |
| Chloride (Cl) | 2.2 |
| Bicarbonate (HCO3) | 357 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 24 |
| Nitrate (NO3) | 3.8 |
| Potassium (K) | 0.75 |
| Sodium (Na) | 5 |
| Sulfate (SO4) | 10 |
| Website | http://www.evian.com |
| All concentrations in milligrams per liter (mg/L); pH without units | |
Today, Evian is owned by Danone Group, a French multinational company. Evian first entered the U.S. market in 1978, where it was served to celebrities in high end lounges and restaurants in distinctive bottles.
In addition to mineral water, Danone Group uses the Evian brand for a line of organic skin care products and the Evian Royal Resort in France.
History
- 1789 : During a walk, the Marquis de Lessert drank water from the Sainte Catherine source on the property of M.Cachat. The marquis, who was allegedly suffering from kidney and liver problems, drank regularly of the water while he walked, and claims his health improved; however, there is no medical basis for this claim. M.Cachat began selling the water.
- 1824 : The first baths appear. Sainte Catherine is changed to the Cachat Source.
- 1826 : Authorization is given by the Ducs of Savoie to put the water from the source of Evian in bottles. At this time water is stocked in jugs.
- 1827 : M.Cachat transformed the city by building a thermal site.
- 1829 : The first Société des Eaux Minérales is created.
- 1878 : The French Government of Health reauthorizes the bottling of Cachat water after positive judgment from the Medicine academy.
- 1901 : Evian water is marketed in wicker jail.
- 1908 : Evian water is marketed in glass bottles manufactured by the glass factory Souchon-Neuvesel who will become BSN
- 1926 : Cachat source is gaining a large public interest for its health benefits.
- 1965 : The Plant at Amphion is constructed.
- 1970 : BSN Group who will become Danone takes 100% control of Evian brand.
- 1978 : Launch of 1.5L bottle.
- 1980 : Launch of 2L bottle.
- 1984 : Opening of the hydrotherapeutic cure center at the Evian health farm.
- 1992 : Launch of a sculpted bottle for the Winter Olympic Games of Albertville.
- 1999 : Launch of Evian Millennium limited edition bottle marking the turn of the millennium.
- 2000 : Launch of Evian Nomade bottle.
- 2004 : Launch of Evian 1L compact bottle.
- 2006 : Launch of the Romero Britto Special Editon Bottle
- 2007 : Launch of the 750 mL Palace Bottle, which can be found solely in fine dining establishments.
- 2007 : Launch of the "Fill with Care" ad campaign
- 2007 : Launch of the redesigned Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray
Popular Culture
Evian is sometimes portrayed in popular culture as a high-end and pricey bottle of water. Its exclusivity is at times revered, and other times ridiculed. The ridicule of high price is sometimes associated with the fact that Evian spells Naive.
In the movie Monster in Law, starring Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez, Fonda (playing the role of Viola Fields) says to Lopez (playing the role of Charlie), "Oh, honey, I can't drink tap. Could you get me some Evian please? With ice?"
In the movie Superstar, featuring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell, Elaine Hendrix's character is named Evian. She is ridiculed because of her name by Mary Katharine Gallagher (Shannon), the protagonist of the film.
Trivia
- In a 20/20 episode on bottled water, Evian proved the least popular in a blind taste test.[citation needed]