Rose de Mai - France's rare rose, an almost otherworldly scent

The abundance of this rose's leaves and petals, numbering up to a hundred, is exactly what gave it its name. The name itself predates Linnaeus's scientific classification, back when petals and leaves weren't even distinguished from one another. In some places, it's also called "Rose de Provins."

This rose first appeared in the 16th century, right in the Grasse region, the part of southern France that still leads the perfume industry today. It's said to have emerged from a mutation of the Gallica rose, native to the Caucasus and Iran. Later, in the 18th century, Dutch rose breeders refined it further into Rosa x Centifolia. Today it's most closely tied to Provence, largely because it's grown there for Chanel No. 5, though the largest quantities are now cultivated in Morocco.

From the moment it entered perfumery, this rose earned praise for its rich, delicate scent. It quickly became an essential part of Grasse's gardens, and gradually won over perfumers across the world.

Why It's So Valuable

This queen of flowers is considered the gold standard in perfumery. But that status comes at a steep cost, it takes nearly 700 kilograms of rose petals to produce just 1 kilogram of rose absolute.

The Character of the Scent

Rose de Mai's scent is remarkably rich and honeyed, like the essence of an imagined rose. A heavy, sweet, dense rosy fragrance, layered with honeyed fruit undertones and a soft woody core at its heart. It's this complexity that makes it so extraordinary, not just the smell of a rose, but a complete experience.