Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : The olfactory education book aims to integrate olfactory awakening into schools and homes from an early age. Can you tell us more about it?
Roland Salesse: “Absolutely. The title is not yet final, but this is indeed the idea behind the book.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : Why did you choose the Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum to support this project?
Sarah Bouasse: “This project perfectly aligns with the values upheld by the fund, particularly in terms of education and scientific research on smell and perfume. Since 2019, we have been following their actions, whether on anosmia or tools for the Osmothèque in Versailles. As soon as we conceived this book, it seemed natural to approach the fund as a partner.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : Can you introduce the association Nez en Herbe and the motivation behind this book?
Roland Salesse: “The Nez en Herbe association was founded in 2017 with the idea that the sense of smell is often neglected, even though it plays a fundamental role in our perception of the world. Our goal is to awaken children to their sense of smell as early as daycare and continue this learning process in school. We are not trying to turn them into perfumers, but rather to help them use this sense to better understand their environment.”
Sarah Bouasse: “The association shares values similar to those of Nez magazine, which has been promoting olfactory culture since 2016. This book aims to train the trainers—that is, educators, teachers, and parents—so that olfactory awakening can reach a wider audience.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : What will the book contain, and where will it be available?
Sarah Bouasse: “The book will have a dual approach, both theoretical and practical. It will include detailed workshop sheets as well as texts explaining the importance of olfactory awakening. It will be accessible to the general public, with simple and clear language. It will be published in the fall of 2025 and will be available in bookstores, on the Nez online store, and at events such as the Paris and Grasse Perfume Week.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : How does olfactory education contribute to children’s cognitive and emotional development?
Roland Salesse: “There are few studies on humans, but research on rodents shows that those exposed to a rich olfactory environment develop better cognitive abilities. In children, the sense of smell is an early sense, active from the fetal stage, and plays a key role in attachment and self-confidence. Daycares that emphasize sensory stimulation observe cognitive and social benefits in children even years later.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : What types of activities will be included in the book?
Sarah Bouasse: “The book will feature around thirty workshops organized into six chapters, ranging from becoming aware of the nose to using smell as a means of expression.”
Roland Salesse: “A classic example is the taste workshop: participants are asked to eat food while pinching their noses. They then realize that what we often call ‘taste’ is actually an olfactory perception.”
Sarah Bouasse: “On the more creative side, a workshop like the ‘olfactory Chinese portrait’ encourages exploring a scent through multisensory associations (if this smell were a color, a country, a sound, etc.).”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : Who are the experts who contributed to the book?
Sarah Bouasse: “The members of Nez en Herbe all have hands-on experience leading olfactory workshops with children. Among them are scientists, doctors, perfumers, and artists. Some provided feedback from their experiences, while others contributed theoretical insights into the benefits of olfactory awakening.”
Roland Salesse: “Among them are Patty Kanak, as well as experts in olfactotherapy and sensory gastronomy.”
Fonds de Dotation Per Fumum : What are the main challenges in integrating olfactory education into school curricula?
Roland Salesse: “One of the main obstacles is the lack of a clear place for smell in official curricula. In preschool, the study of the five senses is included, but in practice, smell is rarely addressed. We have more success working with motivated teachers or parents. However, we hope our work will help legitimize this educational approach.”
