Trifter

With the new fashion of perfumed leather in the XVIth century, perfumers and apothecaries naturally came and settled in Grasse, a town with countless tanneries. They were  attracted by the mild climate and rich plains allowing to grow the most delicate flowers such as: roses, jasmine, narcissus, tuberose, orange blossom, carnation or broom. The corporation of glove makers and perfumers promulgated their own status in 1729. Some of them were installed in Paris, the Capital of France then imposed a severe rivalry with houses like Guerlain.     

Fragonard Perfumery.

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Grasse then abandons the creation of finished products and turns to the manufacturing of natural raw materials before converting to synthetic perfumery launched by François Coty. Today, with the increasing sophistication of analyze and synthesis methods, factories found new markets such as food aromas.

The International Museum of Perfumery opened in Grasse in 1989. Behind the Second Empire façade, a few rooms give the atmosphere of a traditional factory and present various distillation processes and detail certain techniques. Manufacturing devices are also on display. A collection of rare bottles designed by the greatest names Guimard or Lalique will interest perfume lovers. Here three centuries of the history of perfume is being told. 

International Perfumery Museum.

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The Villa-Musée Fragonard is installed in an ancient “hôtel particulier” of the late XVIIth century bought by a cousin of the famous painter, who stayed here one year in 1790-91. The City of Grasse purchased the mansion in 1975 and transformed it into a museum and reception rooms.  

Museum Villa Fragonard.

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Molinard Perfumery.

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The Naval Museum is a tribute to Admiral de Grasse, who won the battle of Chesapeake on September 5, 1781, thus putting an end to the American Revolutionary War. The city offers lots of museums and in the cathedral one can even admire paintings by Rubens. The Italian influence on the architecture here of course recalls the privileged relations that Grasse had with Genoa.

Ramparts of Grasse.

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Grasse, a view of the church and keep.

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The “Fête du Jasmin” in August is a traditional procession of floral floats and pageants. In May, “Expo Rose” gathers more than 1000 varieties of roses in the  sloped narrow streets and picturesque stairs hugging the old  historic center. 

The rose of Damascus, very much used in perfumery.

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