Interview : a day in the life of Marianne, Laboratory Manager at Galimard
Written on 7 August 2025
Welcome to Galimard ! Today we would like to introduce you to an important team member : Marianne.
Galimard is one of the few perfume brands with it’s own local production factory, located in Grasse, which can be visited any time of year. Today we would like to take you even further behind the curtain of perfume production and introduce you to one of the people ensuring our lab stays running smoothly: Marianne, who knows our products like the back of her hand, and ensures the quality of each item leaving our factory is without reproach. We caught her between two formula weigh-ins for a quick questionnaire.
Bonjour Marianne, how long have you been working at Galimard ?
I started working here in 1982, first in the production and conditioning atelier, and later in the laboratory, since 1987.
What makes la Maison Galimard unique, and made it so you wanted to stay with us over the years?
Since I arrived at Galimard 43 years ago, I have always appreciated the family spirit – this is what motivates me still today.
Since the arrival of information technology, working conditions have evolved cosiderably, can you walk us through a day at Galimard in the lab today ?
When I first began working at Galimard, everything had to be done by hand. Calculating formulas for required quantities, safety labels, primary material orders, there was a lot of writing ! Today, the computer facilitates my work, but also has added new tasks, such as implementing Legal Compliance software.
What do you like about your work ?
Everything, because every day is different : product orders, weighings, filtering, quality control – it’s never monotone and I like what I do..
Is there anything you like a little less about it ?
Nothing in the past I would have responded « washing the dishes, » but that doesn’t apply anymore since we have a machine to do it.
Having spent so many years with us, you must know hundreds of perfumes. Do you have one, or several, favorite perfumes ?
I enjoy perfumes with character like « A demi-mot » or « Féminissime » just as much as the sweeter fragrances like « Canaïca », « Printemps étoilé » or « Cantabelle ». For men, I am a diehard fan of « Sportissimo », « Aventure » and « N°1 ».
Some perfumes have been discontinued, do you miss any of them?
I really liked « Yavana », « Soir de Grasse », and « Notre Temps » for her, and for himt « Monsieur G. », Double 0 and « Rafting ».
Given that you witness the source of creation of so many perfumes, have you seen changes to trends in demand over the years ?
Yes, absolutely : in the 80’s and 90’s, floral perfumes were the most popular, since 2000, sweetness has taken the lead with fruit and sugar, which suits me just fine.
I adore it, I think it smells like vanilla flan. It is a comforting and cozy fragrance, while remaining very elegant.
What kind of perfume would you like our perfumer to compose ?
To switch up the sweetness, a floral woody amber fragrance would be lovely.
You are familiar with hundreds of primary materials – imagine you were creating your own perfume. Which notes would you choose ?
Vanilla, jasmine, and praline… did I mention I like sweets ?
What kind of gifts do you enjoy offering, for her and for him? Perfume, diffusers, cosmetics ?
Ruby Chéri for her, Sportissimo for him, and if I don’t know them well, I would offer a perfume diffuser like Vanilla Coconut !
Last question, do you have a funny anecdote or memory to share with us ?
Not quite an anecdote, but it always makes me smile when clients who pass in front of the laboratory of the factory ask me, « do you really work in this laboratory ? » It’s true that the size of the laboratory can be surprising, but no, I am not just an actress, and all of Galimard’s perfumes are made there. We are just well organized, and I am proud to work in a family size company !
One anecdote which has turned into a beautiful story, is that a couple formed here between an intern and a seasonal employee. I had the chance to see this romance blossom, which turned into a marriage.
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