Invited to explore the birthplace of Chanel N° 5 on the Mul jasmine farm in France, Orla Dempsey meets operations manager Fabrice Bianchi and head perfumer at Les Parfums Chanel Olivier Polge to discover the rich history and craftsmanship of the coveted scent
Journalist Orla Dempsey walks through the jasmine fields on the Mul farm in Grasse. Photo: Courtesy of Chanel
Nestled in scenic Grasse, not far from Cannes on the French Riviera, lies the Mul family’s perfume fields. Since 1840, five generations of the family have farmed more than 30 hectares of land to produce fragrant jasmine flowers for use in perfume. The family has an exclusive deal to supply jasmine to Chanel – a happy partnership built on a mutual value for heritage and care for craft.
It’s as a guest of Chanel Beauty I find myself pulling up at the Mul fields at the height of the jasmine harvest, which runs from August to October each year. At dawn each morning, pickers come with wicker baskets in hand to gently pluck the white flowers. It’s later in the morning when our small group of invited journalists arrives in Grasse. Laid out in front of us are sprawling green fields dotted with white. As the car door opens outside the gate to the fields, I am instantly hit by the scent of jasmine, sweet yet with a hint of musk. There’s an air of quiet calm, broken only by the rustling of the pickers and a gentle breeze.