Céline Freiburger, the pharmacist watching over the port

Behind the counter, Céline Freiburger has embodied a certain spirit of service for twelve years: "I liked the village feel. Here, the relationship is authentic and people are loyal."

Last winter, the pharmacy underwent a transformation: a brighter space, a rapid dispensing robot, cubicles dedicated to vaccination and screening, and a renovated orthopaedics room. "With our new missions, we must be able to vaccinate, and test for sore throats or urinary tract infections under good conditions." Modernisation is not a luxury, but a way to free up time for advising, which is my trademark," explains Céline Freiburger.

LOCAL ROOTS Trained at the faculty of Marseille, Céline worked as a substitute before settling in La Londe. "I was already living in Hyères, and the village feel won me over. The population is really pleasant."

In 2013, she took over the pharmacy founded in 1997 by Olivier Rolland. Located at the port, the pharmacy caters to permanent residents, holidaymakers, and the numerous campsites. "The port area is a bit special: lively in summer, quieter in winter, but we must remain open all year round for the rest of the population."

Céline Freiburger, la pharmacienne qui veille sur le port

Formée à la faculté de Marseille, Céline a exercé comme remplaçante avant de poser ses valises à La Londe. « J’habitais déjà à Hyères, et le côté village m’a séduite. La population est vraiment agréable ». En 2013, elle reprend l’officine fondée en 1997 par Olivier Rolland. Située au port, la pharmacie s’adresse aux résidents permanents, aux vacanciers, et aux nombreux campings. « Le quartier du port est un peu à part : vivant l’été, plus calme l’hiver, mais il faut rester ouvert toute l’année pour le reste de la population ». Au-delà des ordonnances, Céline défend une approche naturelle et individualisée : « C’est une pharmacie de quartier, mais aussi de conseil, axée sur tout ce qui est médecine douce : aromathérapie, phytothérapie, homéopathie, huiles essentielles ». Les produits phares de l’été ? Le gel d’aloe vera et l’huile essentielle de lavande aspic, « un duo en synergie imparable contre les coups de soleil et les piqûres de moustiques, ça calme l’inflammation et en plus, ça détend ». Mais elle prévient : « Les huiles essentielles, ça ne s’improvise pas. Il faut être formé, connaître les précautions, surtout pour les femmes enceintes ou pour les traitements en cours ». Contrairement à d’autres pharmacies du secteur, l’officine du port reste ouverte le samedi après-midi, mais aussi entre midi et 14h. « On ne peut pas laisser les gens sans pharmacie le samedi. C’est un vrai service rendu à la population ». Elle propose aussi des services connectés : envoi d’ordonnances via une application mobile, livraison gratuite sur toute la commune.

Beyond prescriptions, Céline advocates a natural and individualized approach: "It is a neighborhood pharmacy, but also one of advice, focusing on everything related to alternative medicine: aromatherapy, phytotherapy, homeopathy, essential oils." The star products of the summer? Aloe vera gel and spike lavender essential oil, "an unstoppable synergistic duo against sunburn and mosquito bites, it calms the inflammation and, what's more, it relaxes you."

But she warns: "Essential oils are not something you can just improvise. You need to be trained and know the precautions, especially for pregnant women or ongoing medical treatments."

Unlike other pharmacies in the sector, the port pharmacy remains open on Saturday afternoons, as well as between noon and 2 p.m. "We cannot leave people without a pharmacy on Saturdays. It is a real service provided to the population."

She also offers connected services: sending prescriptions via a mobile app, and free delivery throughout the municipality. HUMANITY AND RESPONSIVENESS Here, faces are familiar and relationships are long-lasting. "Sometimes we know the whole family over several generations."

The most striking anecdote: "A lady suffered a cardiac arrest just a few steps from the pharmacy. We brought out the defibrillator and resuscitated her before emergency services arrived. It was highly stressful. But she is doing very well today."

Céline is also associated with another pharmacist in the municipality (the pharmacie des écoles) and participates in several local professional networks, including the CPTS (Communauté Professionnelle Territoriale de Santé). "During the health crisis, when the vaccination center closed, I was the only one administering vaccines in La Londe." In an increasingly eco-responsible approach, she limits printing, encourages digital prescriptions, and provides reusable bags.

The extension of the port, the arrival of Naval Group, the future pedestrian footbridge, and the modernization of the district showcase a new dynamic. "I want to strengthen the team, develop e-pharmacy, and remain the local health point, summer and winter alike," concludes the young woman.