From Mexico to Grasse in search of a rare and extinct plant. This is the investigation Frédéric Badie embarked upon when writing "Tant que dansent les abeilles", a novel he will present this Thursday at 6:30 pm during a conference at the Musée international de la parfumerie.

"An investigation that takes the reader from the world of plants to that of ingredient processing. A way of opening up the world of perfumery to the public. It allows me to evoke the history of the Payan Bertrand company and the Proal family, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and whose great-grandfather left Barcelonnette for Mexico. I'd also like to talk about the perfume industry over the last 30 years, with the arrival of the multinationals," explains the man who has been working for the Payan, Bertrand family company for 22 years as a nose and developer of 100% natural ingredients. In Grasse, "we make our living from processing plants, so it's important to preserve the balance of the ecosystem."

In two weeks' time, Frédéric Badie and his company will launch the "Pure Signature" brand, a range of 100% natural perfumes and cosmetics with ingredients made in Grasse.

Like a showcase for Grasse society, as perfumeries and their customers increasingly seek to anchor themselves in a terroir that the family business has owned for 160 years.

Another presentation was that of a concept created by Frédéric Badie: "Pure machine", or how to offer the general public (and niche perfumers) access to sixty 100% natural ingredients developed by Payan Bertrand to create their own perfume.

Further information: Musée international de la parfumerie, 2, Bd du Jeude-ballon, Grasse. Free conference on registration: [email protected] or 04.97.05.58.20.