Grasse with perfume houses Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard

Parfum Grasse 10 Provence Cote d Azur Fragonard Galimard Molinard chanel 5 Dior Versace JP Gaultier

Grasse, located in the hills of the southern French hinterland about twelve kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, is known worldwide as the "perfume capital of the world". Since 2018, Grasse's perfume expertise has even been on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The city is home to famous perfume houses such as Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard, which offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at their ateliers and museums. Around the world, only about forty people are able to compose a totally new perfume. Most of these 'noses' come from Grasse. You can only follow specialized nose training courses in Grasse and Versailles. Perfume from Grasse is made from natural ingredients, mainly flowers grown locally such as jasmine, May rose, violet, iris, lavender, myrtle, wild orange blossom, mimosa and lily. Major perfume houses, such as Chanel, work exclusively with local jasmine for iconic perfumes such as Chanel No.5. Stroll through the narrow streets with shops and boutiques in the old town, visit the beautiful buildings and enjoy a glass of wine or regional dishes on one of the terraces of the attractive squares. If you are staying in a luxury villa in Provence at the beginning of August, you must visit the Fête du Jasmin in Grasse.

Grasse, from leather to perfume

The history of Grasse is inextricably linked to the perfume industry. Originally, however, Grasse was known for its tanneries and glove workshops. However, the strong smell of the tanned leather was unpleasant, so tanner Galimard began to perfume the leather with scented liquids, such as orange blossom, to mask the smell. This led to the creation of perfumed gloves, which became particularly popular at the French court, thanks in part to the influence of Catherine de' Medici in the 16th century. This proved so successful that from the 18th century onwards, Grasse began to focus entirely on the production of perfume, laying the foundation for the modern perfume industry. This innovation led to a gradual shift from the leather industry to the perfume industry. Perfume became the core business of Grasse, thanks in part to the rich local flora with fragrant flowers such as jasmine, orange blossom, mimosa, rose, lavender and myrtle. The city developed unique extraction methods such as enfleurage, a technique in which flowers are placed in fat to absorb their scent. In the 19th century, the industry changed again with the introduction of synthetic fragrances, which made production more efficient and allowed perfumes to be composed more complexly. Grasse is known worldwide as the home of perfumery, with international museums and famous perfume houses that tourists like to visit during their holidays in France. It is the birthplace of legendary perfumes and home to famous perfumers and a specialized perfumery school.

Places of interest in Grasse

  • Perfume houses
  • Musée International de la Parfumerie
  • Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence
  • Cathedral Notre Dame de Puy
  • Tour de Guet
  • The Fragonard Museum
  • Maison du Patrimoine de Grasse
  • Musee du Bijou et du Costume Provencal
  • Historic centre of Grasse
  • Rue Jean Ossola to Rue Gazan
  • Shops and local products
  • Jardins de la Princesse Pauline
  • Place des Artistes
  • Place du 24 Août
  • Place du Petit Puy
Parfum Grasse 5 Provence Cote d Azur Fragonard Galimard Molinard chanel 5 Dior Versace JP Gaultier S

Grasse, a unique region for perfume

The perfume industry in Grasse is unique because of the interplay of an ideal climate, centuries-old know-how, high-quality natural raw materials, innovative techniques and a rich cultural tradition.
Location and climate - Grasse is located in a valley in the south of France a short distance from the beach and the Mediterranean Sea in the Provence - Côte d'Azur region. The region has a mild Mediterranean climate, lots of sun, fertile soil and plenty of rain. This combination ensures that flowers such as jasmine, May rose, tuberose and orange blossom grow exceptionally well here and develop a unique fragrance quality that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Know-how and tradition - The perfume industry in Grasse has a long history dating back to the 16th century, when glove perfuming was created to mask the leather smell. This tradition grew into a sophisticated industry with unparalleled expertise in growing, processing and blending fragrances. Grasse is the cradle of the craft of the 'Nose' (perfumer), with world-renowned perfumers and its own perfumery school.
Quality of raw materials - The perfume houses in Grasse are known for their access to the best and most consistent quality natural ingredients. This makes it possible to reproduce perfumes with the same precision over and over again, which is essential for the production of exclusive fragrances.
Innovation and influence - Grasse pioneered extraction techniques such as enfleurage and solvent extraction, which allowed delicate floral scents to be preserved. These innovations have had a lasting impact on the global perfume industry.
Cultural and economic - Grasse is not only a production centre, but also a cultural icon. The city is home to famous perfume houses (such as Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard) and the International Museum of Perfumery.
Collaboration with luxury brands - Many luxury perfume brands such as Chanel, Dior and Hermès have their own flower fields in Grasse and use the unique extracts from this region for their most exclusive perfumes.
Traditional cultivation and harvesting - In Grasse, the jasmine is often still harvested by hand, usually early in the morning when the scent is most potent. This artisanal approach ensures that the flowers retain their maximum fragrance.
Rarity and price - The production of jasmine in Grasse is small – only about 20 tons per year – and the demand from the perfume industry is high. This makes Grasse jasmine very exclusive and expensive, with prices that can reach up to €15,000 per kilo of concentrated fragrance.

Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard

Perfume houses Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard are the three great historic perfume houses of Grasse, which play an important role in the city's international reputation as a perfume capital.

Perfume house Galimard in Grasse

The Galimard perfume house , which is located outside the centre of Grasse, was founded in 1747 by Jean de Galimard, the founder of the guild of glovemakers and perfumers. Galimard is an interesting place to visit for those who want to learn more about the history of perfume and who would like to experience how fragrance is made. Galimard gives guided tours and is known for its "Studio des Fragrances", where visitors can create their own fragrance under the guidance of a perfumer. During this workshop, you will learn about the structure of a perfume (top notes, heart notes, base notes) and compose a unique fragrance that is completely yours. An example of Galimard's craftsmanship is the Héritage collection, which focuses on Grasse's three iconic flowers: jasmine, rose and tuberose. Galimard has a wide range of perfumes, but some fragrances stand out as the most famous and popular: Féminissime (one of Galimard's bestsellers, loved for its elegant and feminine scent), Solenzara (one of the most popular perfumes, known for its fresh and sunny character), Aventure (a dynamic fragrance, very popular), Sportissimo (a sporty, fresh fragrance that does well with a wide audience), Parfum 1747 (refers to the founding year of the house and is a tribute to the long tradition of Galimard) and Ruby Cheri (a modern classic within the range). In addition, Galimard has an exclusive Collection Privée with special scents such as: Musc Royal, Gaiac Precieux, Sensuel Safran, Oud Intense, Oud Vanilla, Oud Rose, Oud Jasmin.

Perfume house Fragonard in Grasse

Pefume house Fragonard in Grasse was founded in 1926 and is also one of the oldest and most famous perfume houses in Grasse that you can visit during your holiday in France. The brand was founded by Eugène Fuchs, who named his perfumery in homage to the famous painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Fragonard is a family business that produces its products in its own factories in Grasse and the Côte d'Azur. Guided tours are provided through both the perfume museum and the production process, giving you a great insight into how perfume is made. Fragonard has its own shops and Museums in Grasse, Èze and Paris. The Fragonard museum in Grasse is a popular place to visit, where visitors can not only see the perfume production, but can also admire Jean-Honoré Fragonards’ works of art.

The most famous perfumes from Fragonard include Belle de Grasse, a floral fragrance that reflects the atmosphere of the region, Belle de Nuit: A sensual and floral perfume with rose, jasmine, violet and a hint of musk. Étoile: A fresh and sunny perfume with notes of citrus, green tea and jasmine, reminiscent of summer days in Provence, making it a popular fragrance for the evening. Other perfumes include; Frivolous: A lively and fruity perfume with peach, peony and orange blossom, Fleur d'Oranger (orange blossom), Diamant, Belle Chérie, and Eau du Bonheur.

Perfume house Molinard in Grasse

Molinard Perfume House in Grasse is also one of the oldest and most renowned perfume houses in Grasse. Since its founding in 1849, Molinard has stood out for its craftsmanship, use of high-quality ingredients, and deep roots in the region's rich perfume tradition. The house is known for its attention to detail and the use of carefully selected ingredients, resulting in elegant and timeless fragrances. The Molinard perfume factory in Grasse is open to visitors. You can take a guided tour and learn all about the history and production process of perfume. Molinard also offers workshops where you can create your own perfume from a selection of up to 80 ingredients under the guidance of an expert. In the Molinard store, you will have a wide choice of fragrances and soaps. There are also products that you cannot find elsewhere or that are very difficult to find. Molinard's most famous and influential perfumes are Habanita: This perfume was introduced in 1921 and is considered one of the most legendary perfumes of the 1920s. Habanita is known for its oriental, powdery and spicy character. Jasmin and Rose: Developed as early as the 19th century, these floral perfumes are classics within Molinard's range. They were presented in elegant crystal bottles and are still available in modern variants. Mimosa and Violette: Like Jasmin and Rose, these perfumes are among Molinard's earliest creations. Concreta: In 1921, Molinard launched the world's first compact pure perfume, in which natural flower wax was used as a fragrance component. This product was groundbreaking in the perfume industry. In addition, Molinard has launched several other perfumes over the years, however the fragrances mentioned above are among Molinard's absolute classics and top perfumes.

Perfume workshops in Grasse

In addition to the large perfume houses, there are also some small companies who make perfume in the small shopping streets of Grasse. Such companies include Grasse Atelier Perfumery, Le Parfumoir de Grasse of Geodora and Parfumeur en Provence.

Parfum Grasse 2 Provence Cote d Azur Fragonard Galimard Molinard chanel 5 Dior Versace JP Gaultier S
Parfum Grasse 4 Provence Cote d Azur Fragonard Galimard Molinard chanel 5 Dior Versace JP Gaultier S

Visit Grasse during your holiday

Visit the beautiful town of Grasse from your holiday home in Provence. The atmospheric old town of Grasse is located on a hill. In this old town center you do not only have beautiful views over the Provencal landscape, but you can also enjoy an authentic French atmosphere with narrow cobbled streets, colorful facades and cozy squares full of cafes and boutiques. The city centre is characterised by characteristic mansions from the 19th century and a typical Provençal appearance. The scent of lavender, roses and mimosa is everywhere, reflecting the city's perfume tradition. Visit the  12th-century Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral with masterpieces by Rubens and Fragonard, the Tour de Guet, awatchtower from around 1100 or the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence in the former home of the Marquis de Cabris. In the old town you’ll find shops selling perfumes, soaps and other fragrant products, often made from local flowers such as roses and lavender. These products will smell wonderful in your luxury villa with private pool. Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden in the city, is a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the views of the coast. The old town of Grasse is full of charming streets like Rue Jean Ossola and Rue Gazan with a mix of boutiques, perfumeries, art galleries and shops selling local products. Visit lively squares such as Place du Petit Puy, Place aux Aires, and Place du 24 Août, where you can relax on a terrace, enjoy the local life and admire the sea.

Festivals in Grasse

Grasse hosts several special events and festivals every year that celebrate the city's rich culture and perfume history.
Fête du Jasmin (Jasmine Festival) - This is Grasse's most famous and characteristic festival, which takes place annually on the first weekend of August. The festival celebrates the flowering of jasmine, a symbol of the city and its perfume tradition. Highlights include a flower parade where thousands of jasmine flowers are distributed, a fireworks show at the opening, market stalls, artist performances, and exhibitions by local artists. During this festival, the whole city smells of jasmine. Visit the festival from your holiday park in the Alpes du Haute Provence.
Les Soirées Estivales (Summer Evenings) - From the end of June to the beginning of September, the Alpes-Maritimes region, which includes Grasse, hosts hundreds of free shows in various towns and villages. This program includes jazz, blues, rock, classical music, theater, dance, magic, and comedy. These summer evenings offer a wide range of cultural activities during your holiday in Provence, often in atmospheric open-air locations.
Regional festivals in Provence - Although not exclusive to Grasse, there are several summer festivals in Provence that are easy to visit from Grasse, such as the Jazz Festival in Juan-les-Pins, the Cannes International Film Festival, the Vaison Danses Festival (dance), Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (opera), Jazz Marseille and Les Musicales dans les Vignes de Provence (concerts in vineyards).
Expo Rose - From May 8 to 11, 2025, there will be the "Rose à Grasse" exhibition, which highlights the beauty, history and influence of the rose in perfumery and local crafts. With works of art, installations and rare objects, the role of the rose as a timeless symbol of Grasse is highlighted.

Food & Drink in Grasse

The old town of Grasse has several lively places for you to enjoy drinks and food, ranging from cozy cafes to refined restaurants. Here are some tips on where you can enjoy local specialties and the Provençal atmosphere and hospitality during your holiday in France.
Les Delicatesses de Grasse – This restaurant on the Place aux Aires is known for its cozy atmosphere, excellent small dishes, and extensive wine list. It is perfect for lunch, dinner or local wines.
Délices de l'amiral restaurant - Located in a quiet street of the old town, this restaurant offers good service and creative dishes. There is a casual atmosphere and it is suitable for families or groups.
Café du Palais - This classic French café is perfect for a leisurely breakfast, lunch, or coffee and cake. The location offers a romantic, cozy atmosphere and an excellent selection of desserts and wines. The terrace is ideal for people-watching and soaking up the Provençal ambiance.
Le Croissant Rose - For a quick, tasty lunch or a full breakfast, Le Croissant Rose is a must. It is located on one of the characteristic streets of the old town and is known for its fresh coffee, cakes and affordable small dishes.
La Bastide Saint-Antoine - Jacques Chibois - For a high-level culinary experience, La Bastide Saint-Antoine is the absolute top choice in Grasse. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves refined Provençal cuisine in an elegant setting.
Lou Fassum – Enjoy typical grassoise specialties, such as stuffed cabbage (le fassum).
Lougolin – A restaurant that is a good place to go with the kids. It has a view of the bay of Théoule-sur-Mer and the seaside resorts of Provence - Côte d'Azur.

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