Centifolia Rose
In Pays de Grasse, from the end of April until May, the queen of flowers blossoms : the rose. And more particularly the centifolia rose, also called “May rose”.
This simple-looking rose gives off a captivating scent which makes it a sure bet for perfumers who demand the single centifolia rose and not the double.
It is used in the composition of many famous perfumes such as: ROSE by Roger et Gallet, ROSE TROCADERO from the garden found, LA ROSE JOCELYN by Godet, COMME UNE EVIDENCE by Yves Rocher, CHANCE EAU TENDRE by Chanel, MÉMOIRE BY DAISEN-IN, ELLA K, etc. But in Pays de Grasse, the visitor may feel confused because here there is no field as far as the eye can see. No, the fields and farms are small. It is an emblematic flower of the region of Grasse in the same way as the orange blossom, the iris, the tuberose, the Madonna lily, the violet, but it is the one that I will tell you all about is the Queen of flowers.
It is celebrated during the Rose Festival in Grasse on the occasion of Exporose, at La Colle sur Loup with the “Autour de la rose” festival, in Plascassier as well as at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint Jean- Cap Ferrat.
But travelers arriving in Grasse are taken aback. Where is this beautiful flower that we talk about so much and which costs so much?
Where to see the rose fields in Grasse and the surrounding area.
You have to walk in the countryside to discover here and there, hidden behind a hedge, fields of centifolia roses which are a marvel in May.
Here are a few addresses where you can see fields of roses.
First of all, in the Saint Jean de Grasse district there was the countryside of Mr. Oulmont which was bought by LANCOME. This big company has invested massively and from the road you can marvel and smell the flowers. By appointment, you can visit this estate for free.
Then still in the St Jean district we see the property of Mr Rodriguez who is very friendly and co-founder of the “Fleurs d`exception” association. It has a beautiful plot planted with different roses, irises and bitter orange trees. Still in Grasse, at the Chemin de Montmayan and at the Mas des Sources in the Saint Antoine district, we can still discover fields of rose bushes.
Then, at the Domaine de la Bastide (ESAT), it’s a pleasure to take a photo of this bastide surrounded by its large fields of roses. This estate is located in Châteauneuf de Grasse, chemin des picholines and offers you good products.
In Mouans Sartoux, the MIP gardens welcome you to 2.7ha. All the emblematic flowers of the Pays de Grasse and much more can be found here.
Not forgetting, of course, Le Domaine de Manon in Plascassier, where tours are organized one day a week.
What do you do with the centifolia rose?
Finally, let us note that our son Guilhem Codera from terroir-06, who is a farmer-processor-distiller, also has a few rose bush plants. Guilhem doesn’t make perfume, no. Guilhem makes an excellent candied centifolia rose to enjoy with crepes, hams or ice cream. He also makes centifolia rose syrups, centifolia rose honey and as he distills himself, he also offers rose water
Of course there are other addresses, …but I will give them to you in a future post.
