Cinquième Sens, olfactory expert since 1976
Cinquième Sens is the benchmark institution of global olfactory culture. For 50 years, it has transmitted, structured, and promoted the intelligence of smells. Through training, advice, and influence, it provides those who are shaping the future of perfume with the tools of lasting authority and works to bring olfaction into the field of contemporary major cultures.
Making use of the sense of smell
a great contemporary culture
Smells connect us to the intimate as well as to the collective. They preserve the memory of places, accompany gestures and know-how, nurture creation and influence our way of perceiving the world. Yet, scent is still not given the same recognition as visual or musical cultures. Since 1976, Cinquième Sens has worked to give it that place.
This expertise is passed on, but it is also put to the test in concrete projects: designing poly-sensory suitcases for the Louvre museum that leverage all five senses; accompanying groups such as LVMH, Kering or L’Oréal, and major spirits companies in their training, analysis or creation initiatives.
This conviction now has a name: the High Olfactory Culture.
An inspiring French expression for the world, which brings together excellence, customization, craftsmanship and know-how. It provides curious people with benchmarks to become connoisseurs and professionals with the tools of lasting authority.
It is transmitted through the Cinquième Sens Institute, it is put at the service of projects through Cinquième Sens Studio and it is lived through the Cinquième Sens Atelier. The content, the community and our international network extend this movement to make olfaction a living, powerful and shared culture.
Our History
This story stems from the pioneering intuition of Monique Schlienger: good sense is learned.
«The more you smell, the better you can smell.»
She founded an independent house where experience leads to knowledge.
Alongside her, and then as the director of Cinquième Sens, Isabelle Ferrand gives this intuition a new dimension. Together with the teams, she structures the training programs, develops the pedagogical tools, opens the house to advice, creation, and olfactory experiences, strengthens Paris and Grasse, and weaves the international network.
A method becomes a shared culture.
Today, the adventure remains collective. Perfumers, trainers, evaluators, partners and teams share a common way of being: learning through experience, welcoming with warmth and enlightening without imposing.
Independence nourishes this committed neutrality; the demand remains in the service of everyone.
50 years of transmission, creation and openness
Experts
who love to feel, transmit and create
Perfumers, evaluators, trainers, materials experts, project managers and transmission specialists come together to understand each subject in all its dimensions: sensory, technical, cultural and strategic.
This diversity is the wealth of Cinquième Sens. It allows us to listen carefully to your needs, to bring together the right expertise, and to build a coherent response without losing the sensitivity that makes each project unique. Here, the demands go hand in hand with the closeness: we take the time to feel together, to explain clearly, and to share generously what makes the depth of the fragrance.
A built trust
in the long run
For 50 years, perfumery professionals, brands, institutions, schools and partners have placed their trust in us. This trust is based on the robustness of our methods, the quality of our transmission and our ability to combine business expertise, creativity and an understanding of the
publics.
Cinquième Sens is certified by Qualiopi for its training activities and a certification provider of the RS7618 certification.
These recognitions extend a daily requirement: to make our expertise useful, clear and deeply human.
They trust us
