The origins of Grasse perfume industry can be traced to the 16th century. Currently, it is home to about 30 perfume companies. “Scents of the City” article (p. E-32, section Enterprise) in this week’s Newsweek gives the history and the current state of affairs in Grasse, along with tourism suggestions. (Link is no longer active)
Welcome to Bois de Jasmin! I'm a writer, journalist and professionally trained perfumer. On these pages I explore the world of senses through art, literature, and history. - Victoria
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10 Comments
parislondres: I do enjoy visiting Grasse each year and this year I got to spend a lot of time there! ;D October 26, 2005 at 4:10am
kaie: I visit Grasse every year too. It changed a lot over the past few years. October 26, 2005 at 9:59am
BoisdeJasmin: N, I loved the results of your last stay very much! 😉 October 26, 2005 at 10:50am
BoisdeJasmin: Kaie, I suppose that it is true. Many fields have been sold, and are now land used for bungalow. October 26, 2005 at 10:51am
Katie: I long to travel there one day, if nothing else just to visit all the “ards” and take in the scenery. October 26, 2005 at 9:53pm
BoisdeJasmin: I agree! That alone would be worthwhile. October 26, 2005 at 10:00pm
kristen: A few years back I had the opportunity to visit the Fragonard factory (the Paris branch…but they are also in Grasse). What a fun day! I was 16 and already a perfume addict, so it just reinforced the obsession. 🙂 We were able to meet some of the noses and they quizzed us on our ability to identify some famous scents. I want to go back! October 29, 2005 at 11:29am
BoisdeJasmin: Sounds like a great visit! I love Fragonard museum, which is in a very nice location right near Opera Garnier. Will surely return there when I am in Paris in a few weeks. October 29, 2005 at 5:33pm
Bela: The scenery is breathtaking (the whole of the Côte d’Azur is beautiful), but I don’t think anyone should be under any illusion: the really important perfume factories are not accessible to the public. Molinard, Galimard and Fragonard would have closed down long ago without tourists. They’re all very quaint and meant for their benefit (just like that candied fruit factory that is part of the visit sometimes). October 31, 2005 at 6:05am
BoisdeJasmin: J, you are right about the factories. Molinard, Galimard and Fragonard are very quaint, and it is not a bad thing. I have not seen the candied fruit factory, but someone recently gave me some candied cherries from Grasse. I wonder if that is where they came from. November 1, 2005 at 8:36pm