Scents of Provence: such rich natural surroundings

Provence is an exceptional natural destination. The region has many plants used in perfume making. In fact, it is known as one of the largest cradles of perfumery in the world. This is why various perfumery players take advantage of the region to create the best perfumes and fragrances. To learn more about Provence perfumes, we invite you to read the following lines.

Why is Provence considered the terroir of perfumes?

Rich in nature, Provence has been known for centuries for cultivating perfume plants. Indeed, its geology and its mild, sunny climate are perfect for growing these plants. To create a delicate fragrance, you'll find everything in the region: citrus (orange tree, orange blossom, grapefruit perfume, bergamot), patchouli perfume, vanilla, lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, cedarwood perfume, thyme, rosemary... These perfume plants are even more numerous in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world.

Whether you are a professional perfumer or simply a fan of good scents, you can visit the region to see how the best varieties of aromatic or fragrance plants are selected and preserved.

You will also have the opportunity to discover rare plants with different olfactory notes.

Which Provence plants are most used in perfume making?

Several aromatic and scented plants are used in the production of perfumes: eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de Cologne. Perfumers and cosmetic specialists collect plants with good scent or freshness for creation. Besides lavender and lavandin, there are also other species such as thyme, rosemary, and many more.

Lavender

Lavender is a plant appreciated for both its olfactory and therapeutic virtues. It offers several benefits for the body. Also, from time immemorial to today, it is widely used in the world of beauty, scent, and perfumery.

It was in 1892 that lavender first appeared in a grand perfume called Fougère Royale by Houbigant. This perfume belongs to the fougère olfactory family. Its lavandin top notes, its base of oakmoss and coumarin, and its rather floral heart are highly appreciated by people who like a good scent.

Today, the lavender olfactory type can be associated with other plants such as vanilla, Chypre, thyme, coriander, coffee, or many others. Initially, lavender perfume was associated with the male sex. However, it is attracting more and more women with more feminine compositions and floral notes. To buy a bottle of lavender perfume, you can go to a cosmetic or perfumery store.

Thyme

If you want an ambient fragrance, you can focus on thyme. It is an aromatic plant that gives a special atmosphere to your indoor space. Thanks to a thyme spray, you can recall the beautiful scents of Provence in your home. It will perfume your house with a generous and sunny atmosphere. Associated with lemon, a bouquet of thyme also offers a feeling of well-being and calm in your home.

Depending on your desires, you can buy a spray or a diffuser to better smell the aromas of this Provence plant. Practical, it can be used in all rooms of the house: bathroom, living room, bedroom, toilet...

Rosemary

As an aromatic plant, rosemary is widely used in cooking. This plant enhances the taste of savory dishes. It will give a Provencal touch to your meals. Its aromas will bring an incomparable flavor to your various preparations.

Thanks to its scent, rosemary is also used in perfumery. You can find it in the composition of the oldest perfumes in the world. It is the base of the famous Eaux de Cologne. Indeed, it is part of the aromatic or agrestic notes. These scents are generally reserved for men. Rosemary releases a more dynamic scent, like musk. This is why it is associated with virile and sporty Eaux de Parfum. However, creators do not lack ideas for women. They play with more subtlety. Moreover, if the trend is for the return of ancient raw materials, there will still be ranges of rosemary perfumes to discover. You can find a woody or other perfume extract in stores.

What are the different notes of Provence perfumes?

Perfume making consists of knowing how to mix different notes to obtain a fragrant or perfumed product that is unique and pleasant. You should know that several aromatic materials must be used to create a single perfume. The recipes are sometimes complex. However, they are always based on a blend of top notes, heart notes, and base notes. All these notes complement each other and appear one after another on the olfactory scene.

Thus, you will perceive the top notes which express themselves first in an intense and ephemeral way. They last only a few minutes to 2 hours. They are composed of lighter essences. These are generally fresh and lively scents such as citrus, rosewood, anise, mint...

The heart notes, meanwhile, will last longer. You can perceive them for 2 to 10 hours. However, they are less intense. Very seductive, they present spicy or floral notes. You will thus feel the scent of cardamom, galbanum, lavender and lavandin, rose, jasmine, clove, sage, nutmeg, anise, and many others.

Furthermore, the base notes are composed of heavier fragrant scents. They express themselves late but tend to persist for a very long time. You will still perceive them after 8 hours or several months on hair or clothes. It is the base notes that give a perfume its identity and personality. Generally, they contain woody notes, vanilla notes, musky notes, or amber notes. These are the scents and aromas that are remembered. They create memories. In their composition, you can then find various elements: incense, cedar, benzoin, vanilla, guaiac, labdanum, sandalwood, tonka bean.