French fragrance and flavor giant Mane is doubling down on natural ingredients and agricultural innovation with the launch of a new experimental garden in Grasse, France, developed in partnership with perfume plant grower Sébastien Rodriguez.
The project, located at the historic La Rose St Jean site, is designed to preserve the region’s iconic perfume crops—including rose, jasmine and tuberose—while accelerating research into next-generation fragrance raw materials.
The garden will function as both a conservation site and a living research laboratory, enabling Mane scientists and agronomists to study plant genetics, aromatic molecule development and the impact of soil and climate on fragrance quality. New perfume plant hybrids developed with scientific institutions will also be cultivated and evaluated for their olfactory potential.
Beyond preservation, the initiative has a strong sustainability focus, with trials of regenerative agriculture practices aimed at improving soil health, biodiversity and crop resilience as climate pressures mount.
From left to right: Samantha Mane, Sébastien Rodriguez, David Morenon and Bertrand Boulin. Mane
The move highlights a growing industry trend toward securing natural ingredient supply chains, preserving botanical heritage and using science-driven agriculture to develop differentiated fragrance ingredients for future perfume creations.
“This experimental garden embodies Mane’s commitment to passing on expertise, innovation, and the preservation of our region’s natural riches," says Samantha Mane, president of the Mane Group. "Together with Sébastien Rodriguez, we aim to create a space where tradition and modernity feed off each other, to support various research projects on innovative hybrids, envisioning together the future of perfume and aromatic plants.”
“For 25 years, I have been nurturing a passion for perfume plants, with a constant concern for respecting the land and promoting our heritage," said Rodriguez. "I share with Mane a long-standing commitment to the local terroir and a strong belief in passing on knowledge to help preserve expertise. This experimental garden is a collective venture, driven by excellence, innovation, and the desire to pass on our legacy to future generations.”
