ROSE DE MAI

“… Dawn in Provence, amid the Alps and sea. The cool night surrenders to day. A radiant morning awaits: thousands of centifolia roses drink it in and begin to release their perfume. It is time for the harvest …” [travel notes]

Jean-Claude Ellena explains how the small centifolia rose or Rose de Mai colours his memories of Grasse in early summer, when he would help his grandmother with the harvest. Palest pink in colour with a delicate complexion and sweet, subtle perfume, the rose is at once light, sublime, fresh and seductive. But it unleashes all its sensuality when combined with Musk or Patchouli. “To balance its provocative appeal”, says Jean-Claude, “I used languid, luscious notes. From fifty-plus species of roses, I chose the rose de Mai: it is the most commonly grown flower in Grasse, and, more importantly, it has the most luminous, radiant perfume”.