The perfume trail
Montpellier, a historic center of perfumery for more than five centuries, was the birthplace of a unique olfactory savoir-faire, nourished by medicine, botany and the trade in rare essences. From the Queen of Hungary's water to the apothecaries of the royal courts, the city laid the foundations of a tradition combining scientific rigor and artistic sensitivity. Even today, this living heritage inspires research and creation, between eco-responsible innovation and the transmission of knowledge.
Les Chemins du Parfum is part of this living tradition, a three-day event offering a sensory, scientific and artistic immersion. For the first time in Montpellier, conferences, workshops, meetings and performances will bring together perfumers, researchers, artists and historians to present a rich panorama of the world of perfume, combining heritage and innovation. The event will culminate in Jean-Benoît Patricot's DARIUS, an olfactory voyage presented in the main courtyard of the Faculté de Médecine, followed by activities based on scents created by students. The program is rounded off with round tables, sensory walks, guided tours and a symphony concert.
Program
Thursday, June 19
4:30 pm - Talk by Sarah Bouasse, journalist and author - An intimate history of odors
4:30 pm - Reading and discussion with Caroline Redon-Jauffret, journalist and author of the bookv - Montpellier, ancestral capital of perfume
6:00 pm - Opening: Prestigious evening in the main courtyard - Institutional speeches
8:30 pm - DARIUS Theater Evening by Jean Benoît Patricot, directed by André Nerman, with Catherine Aymerie and François Cognard - An olfactory odyssey in the cour d'honneur
10:00 pm - Stage side - Amuse-nez with the students of the Licence Pro Perfumes, Flavors and Cosmetics program
Friday, June 20
10h00 - Lecture by Roland Salesse, former director of research at INRAE - Do you have to smell good to seduce?
10:00 - Writing workshop by philosopher and historian Dominique Paquet - Writing perfume
11h00 - Reading and discussion with Caroline Redon-Jauffret, journalist and author of the book - Montpellier, ancestral capital of perfume
2:30 pm - Writing workshop by Dominique Paquet, philosopher and playwright - In search of lost perfume
3:00 pm - Meet perfumer-creator Sylvie Jourdet - A look at her inspiring career!
3:00 pm - Olfactory discovery workshop with Michel Sommerard, essential oil specialist and producer - Discover essential oils from here and abroad.
3:00 p.m. – Painting workshops by Nathalie Le Gall – Draw me a perfume (immersion at the artist’s home, Atelier du Singe Vert, €30 by reservation, moc.l 1748510766 iamg@ 1748510766 llag. 1748510766 el.re 1748510766 ileta 1748510766 )
5:00 pm - Prestige conference by Annick Le Guerer, perfume historian and anthopologist - The return of healing fragrances
8:30 pm - DARIUS Theater Evening by Jean Benoît Patricot, directed by André Nerman, with Catherine Aymerie and François Cognard - An olfactory odyssey in the cour d'honneur
10:00 pm - Stage side - Amuse-nez with Master ICAP students
Saturday, June 21st
10:00 a.m. – Painting workshops by Nathalie Le Gall – Draw me a perfume (immersion at the artist’s home, Atelier du Singe Vert, €30 by reservation, moc.l 1748510766 iamg@ 1748510766 llag. 1748510766 el.re 1748510766 ileta 1748510766 )
10:30 - Workshop on anosmia by Claire Martin, CNRS Research Director, Neuroscience and Olfaction
10:30 - Duo lecture by Roland Salesse, former director of research at INRAE, and Corinne Maeght, master chocolatier - The cooking brain
2:30 p.m. – Perfume creation workshops by ODORE SCOLA – Create your own perfume accompanied by a perfume creator (€20 by reservation, sessions at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., moc.a 1748510766 locse 1748510766 rodo@ 1748510766 tcatn 1748510766 oc 1748510766 )
3:00 p.m. – Painting workshops by Nathalie Le Gall – Draw me a perfume (immersion at the artist’s home, Atelier du Singe Vert, €30 by reservation, moc.l 1748510766 iamg@ 1748510766 llag. 1748510766 el.re 1748510766 ileta 1748510766 )
6:00 pm - Round table on synesthesia moderated by Sarah Bouasse with Annick Le Guerer, Claire Martin and René Vacher (Physicist and director of the Montpellier University Symphony Orchestra).
7.45pm - Musical closing in the main courtyard Orchestre Symphonique de l'Université de Montpellier
Throughout the program
Video capsules "Guide(s) du jeune parfumeur" - Special film from the work Héritage(s), Témoignages des figures de la Parfumerie by the Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum Book sales and signings in conjunction with the event Les Chemins du Parfum in the Atrium
All lectures are free of charge, and activities will run concurrently at the same time.
Info and booking: 07 62 48 14 93
Access to daytime activities is free, with certain creations and the play DARIUS accessible by ticket.
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