“Bringing the world of perfumery to the general public”

From Mexico to Grasse in search of a rare and extinct plant. This is the quest that Frédéric Badie embarked upon whilst writing *Tant que dansent les abeilles* (As Long as the Bees Dance), a novel he will be presenting this Thursday at 6.30 pm during a talk at the International Perfume Museum.

A family story

“An investigation that takes the reader from the world of the plant to that of the processing of ingredients. A way of opening up the world of perfumery to the public. It allows me to recount the history of the Payan Bertrand company and the Proal family, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and whose great-grandfather set off from Barcelonnette for Mexico. It also looks at the perfume industry over the last 30 years with the arrival of multinationals,” explains the man who has worked at the family-run company Payan Bertrand for 22 years as a perfumer and developer of 100 per cent natural ingredients. In Grasse, “we make our living from processing plants, so it’s important to preserve the balance of the ecosystem.”

100 per cent natural ingredients

In two weeks’ time, Frédéric Badie and his company will launch the ‘Pure Signature’ brand, a range of 100 per cent natural perfumes and cosmetics made with ingredients sourced in Grasse.

It serves as a showcase for the Grasse-based company, at a time when both the perfume industry and its clientele are increasingly seeking this connection to the local region, which the family business has been rooted in for 160 years.

Another initiative is a concept created by Frédéric Badie: “Pure Machine”, which offers the general public (and niche perfumers) access to sixty 100% natural ingredients developed by Payan Bertrand, enabling them to create their own perfume.

Further information: International Perfume Museum, 2, Boulevard du Jeu-de-ballon, Grasse. Free conference – registration required: kferri@paysdegrasse.fr or 04 97 05 58 20.

Article from Nice Matin