Every spring in the hills of Grasse, in the south of France,
the harvest of the Rose de May takes place. The Rose de Mai is one of the treasures of French perfumery, and some great Houses have the privilege of owning their own fields to cultivate it. It is traditionally hand-picked between May and June by pickers who pass on their knowledge from generation to generation. Early in the morning, while the sun is still low, the harvest begins in a bewitching scent. One by one, the most beautiful roses are picked with a firm, but delicate gesture. The workers then place the roses in their traditional apron, so that they can move freely from one rose bush to another. A flower of great beauty, with its round shape and numerous petals, the Rose de Mai has the particularity of not being picked in bud but only when it is fully bloomed. The harvest always takes place at dawn to preserve its perfume. Each rose bush has a fantastic colour palette. Indeed, the rose will change colours as it evolves, from the delicate bright pink bud to the pale pink blooming flower, ripe for picking..
