Grasse

What is Grasse?

Grasse is a hillside town in southern France, recognized for its perfume heritage. Visitors find narrow streets lined with historic buildings, flower fields in the countryside, and several working perfumeries. Museums and workshops explain how local flowers are turned into scents. Each year, the town hosts lively festivals celebrating jasmine and roses, filling the air with floral aromas.

The history of Grasse

Grasse’s perfume trade began in the late 1700s, but the area had already been known for leather tanning since the Middle Ages. The move from scented gloves to perfume production was sparked by local innovation and royal favor. The region’s mild, sheltered climate and plentiful water made it ideal for growing fragrant flowers. Over time, Grasse became a center for both natural and synthetic scent production, drawing expertise and visitors from around the world.

What there is to see

Perfume in Grasse is crafted from locally grown flowers such as jasmine, roses, and lavender. Harvesting is often done by hand, especially for delicate blooms like jasmine, which are picked early in the morning. The flowers are processed in factories to extract essential oils and concentrates. Visitors can tour perfumeries to see the steps from flower picking to bottling, and even create their own scents.

When to go

Grasse’s perfumes and flower extracts are used in luxury fragrances, food flavorings, and household products. The town’s annual Fête du Jasmin in August features parades, flower-throwing, and jasmine garlands. In May, the Expo Rose showcases thousands of roses. These events attract tourists and celebrate the town’s floral traditions.

Parts and collections

Several historic perfumeries operate in Grasse, including Galimard, Molinard, and Fragonard, each with its own museum and visitor experiences. The International Perfume Museum traces the history of scent-making over five millennia. Major perfume brands like Dior and Chanel keep their own flower fields nearby.

Why Grasse matters

Grasse is often called the world’s perfume capital, a reputation built on centuries of expertise and innovation. The town’s flower festivals and perfumeries are central to its identity. Grasse’s influence appears in literature and film, notably as the setting for the novel and movie 'Perfume.' The town has been recognized for its cultural heritage and floral beauty.

The flowers of Grasse

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursJasmineA group of fragrant shrubs and vines with white or yellow star-shaped flowersSensitive PlantA touch-sensitive plant whose leaves fold up when disturbedMimosaA group of plants with leaflets that react to touch or lightOrange blossomThe fragrant white flower of the sweet orange tree, used in perfume and foodLesser PeriwinkleA low, evergreen groundcover with violet or white star-shaped flowers

Traditions that use it

Plan a visit

🇫🇷 Grasse · All yearBlending your own perfume in GrasseA workshop at one of Grasse's old perfume houses, in the hill town where jasmine and rose are still grown for scent.

Questions people ask about Grasse

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Grasse on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data