"There is a real attachment to jasmine": this family farm in Grasse welcomes you to pick this exceptional flower

The jasmine-covered terraces fill the air at dawn. At five o'clock, Pierre Chiarla, accompanied by his parents and several pickers, begins the daily harvest, which continues until late morning.

Remaining in the same family for almost seventy years, the Chiarla family's organic farm, which covers nearly three hectares, was originally named Terre de Jasmin. A name in complete symbiosis with the city of perfumes.

The horticulturist strokes a shrub with his hand: "At sunrise, we pick the flowers that opened during the night. We can see all the stages of maturity of the buds. The buds are red, they open white. The ones we'll pick in two weeks haven't formed yet."

Used the same day it hatched

The queen flower of the Grasse region, jasmine, commonly known as "the Flower," continues to inspire the greatest creators. Over the centuries, jasmine has been highly prized in Grasse. Extremely fragile, it is still used on the very day it blooms.

From a very young age, Pierre has participated in the harvest; it's part of his life. From mid-July until the first frost, the beautiful, immaculate corollas, still covered in dew, must be carefully harvested before being placed in the shade, in large burlap sacks.

"At the end of the morning, we bring the harvest to the factory, at Robertet's, even on Sundays, because there is a permanent presence during the picking season," he says. And after the small star-shaped jasmine flowers, it will be the turn of the tuberose, the other "white gold" of Fragonard's city.

"We take with us the scent of jasmine."

Thierry and Marina Païs, who live in Saint-Cézaire and have known the Chiarla family for many years, came to help with the collection.

"It's a pleasure to take part in the picking on Sunday mornings. It's a relaxing moment where you're in total symbiosis with nature. Sometimes we spend long periods without speaking, but it's a change from the week we're working," says Thierry, carefully detaching a corolla.

Marina adds: "What I like most is the captivating scent that hangs around us all morning. When we leave, we take the heady scent of jasmine with us. It's as if our clothes are soaked in it. It's an unforgettable sensation."

Participate in the harvests

"There's a real local attachment to jasmine, just like there is to the May rose. This flower has always been attractive. And today, there's a real demand for a return to natural, local products. We also need to reclaim our history in this Grasse region," the horticulturist continues.

For the summer season, in conjunction with Pays de Grasse Tourisme as part of the Scented Trails, Pierre Chiarla is opening his estate for tours and allowing curious visitors to participate in the picking.

The exploration of this authentic place is done alongside the owner of the farm (duration 1h30). Secrets of the cultivation of flowers that make the reputation of the perfumery of Grasse, history of these plants, their importance in the perfume industry and how they are cultivated in the respect of traditions... Enough to perfect your horticultural culture before lending a hand in the fields. A unique activity to fully immerse yourself in the harvesting process. Next available dates (by registration: Pays de Grasse Tourisme 04.93.36.66.66): July 24, July 31, August 7 and August 14 at 7:45 a.m.