The Mosson River, the inspiration for a perfume workshop
This summer, I had the pleasure of conductong a perfume workshop inspired by the landscapes of the La Mosson river as part of the "Cour d'école ouverte" (Open Schoolyard) initiative of the "Mon Eté à Montpellier" (My Summer in Montpellier) event.
Supported by the Delegated Directorate for Ecological Mediation of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the University of Montpellier, and the Jean-Jacques Rousseau media library located in the La Mosson district, this workshop, open to all, was an opportunity to learn about the art of perfumery.
The workshop began with a presentation of a selection of photographs taken along La Mosson.
Then, I introduced each of the ingredients, which I sprayed onto blotter strips that I distributed to each participant.
This stage of the workshop is always very rich in comments and anecdotes about everyone's feelings.
Once all the ingredients had been smelled, came the composition phase. Each participant chose the materials they wished to work with for their formula. I advised on the dosages to ensure the composition was as balanced as possible.
Once the composition was noted on the provided formulation sheet, it was time to put drops of each ingredient into a bottle.
I smelled the first trial with each person and gave recommendations for the second trial based on our discussions about their perceptions.
It was a beautiful moment of sharing and transmission. I am always fascinated to see all this creativity emerge and the joy in the eyes of the participants creating their first perfume.
This workshop was part of the actions funded under the “Mosson, territory of science” component of the UM VIA des sciences project, labeled “Science with and for society,” co-led by the University of Montpellier and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.
It also falls within the mediation objectives of the ADAPTON’Eau program on La Mosson, aiming to strengthen the general public’s attachment to the La Mosson river in order to better preserve it.
