Discover in Grasse the scents of the French Riviera. Three major perfume shops and the international museum are located here in the perfume capital.
FATS
The scents of the French Riviera in Grasse: the perfume capital of the world. The town has been in the world of perfumery for five centuries. Come discover the very essence of the Pays de Grasse, the dna, the perfumeries, the history, the wealth and the happiness of visitors who enjoy its perfumes. Since 2018, Grasse’s perfume know-how has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site.
Perfumes are born from the town’s plants, such as centophyll rose, jasmine, tuberose, lavender or orange.
The know-how
Today the perfumery in Grasse consists of dozens of companies, including illustrious names. Chanel still grows the May rose there, a flower that, for nearly a century, has been the inimitable style of its N°5. Dior and its nose, François Demachy, have established themselves in a magnificent laboratory: Les Fontaines Parfumées (to be visited once a year, in the fall, during the LVMH Group’s Journées Particulières). But alongside these giants, three perfumers from Grasse cultivate a centuries-old tradition: Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard.
Not only that, the people of Grasse founded the International Perfumery Museum, dedicated to their past.
Galimard
It was founded in 1747 by Jean de Galimard, lord of Séranon and member of the guild of glove perfumers. He who already supplied balms, oils, ointments and perfumes to the court of Louis XIV. Galimard is the dean of the perfumers of Grasse.
In the mind of a composer, the famous Nose, a new perfume is the result of a subtle mixture of essences. These are dosed according to their potency and according to the desired result. A whole art, which the Maison Galimard is committed to sharing while respecting family traditions and values. Come and discover the history of the house, the cultivation, the distillery, the factory, the museum and the fragrances of this perfumery. But not only can you visit the factory, you can also follow a private workshop to make your own perfume.
Create your own perfume
In creative workshops in Grasse and Eze, such as the Studio des Fragrances, Galimard opens the doors of creation. You can unleash your talent during a workshop that will take you on a journey into the world of perfumers. Accompanied by a professional, you will be led to understand the architecture of a good perfume. You will achieve a harmonious and unique result. Emotions will transport you in the search for the right note.
In addition, Galimard offers the student perfumer box set to receive at home. This will allow you to create your own fragrance, around 18 exclusive essences created especially for the occasion. For further study, the box is accompanied by an online workshop.
Fragonard
Eugène Fuchs founded it in 1926. Fragonard is a historic factory, located in the heart of the city. It houses its finest boutique, which brings together all of the house’s products: perfumes, cosmetics, and textiles. Treat yourself to an exclusive perfume-making workshop. The history of the house, named in honor of the great local painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, begins at 20 boulevard Fragonard and remains to this day the historic home of the Grasse perfumer.
History
Creator of divine fragrances that has been able to renew itself over the decades, Maison Fragonard seduces with its family history. It never stops promoting Grasse and its natural essences to the world. Free guided tours to discover the perfumer’s craft are organized throughout the summer. Along with the incredible art collection started by the founder’s grandson.
Conquered by the magic of perfume, Anne, Françoise and Agnès Costa – great-granddaughters of Eugène Fuchs – take over the baton of this beautiful house. They will thus bring a touch of modernity and femininity, drawing inspiration from Provençal customs.
The typicalities
The passion was passed down through generations, all the way to Jean-François Costa who, a great art lover, brought a cultural dimension. He founded the Perfume Museum in Grasse, then the Provençal Museum of Costume and Jewelry, and finally the Jean-Honoré Fragonard Museum.
Perfume bottles are adorned with beautiful flowers, as evidenced by new collections and historic fragrances.
The orange blossom is Fragonard’s signature scent.
During guided tours you will discover the stills for extracting essential oils and the maceration and filtration room.
At the Fabrique des Fleurs you will learn about processing techniques and the workshop. The starting points for all manufacturing in a modern factory, south of Grasse. Finally, it is in Eze-Village that Fragonard perpetuates perfume production. Guided tours of the laboratory are organized here to discover the production of cosmetic and skincare lines.
Molinard
The creator-smeller Molinard founded it in 1849. He was an artist, pioneer and writer, known to receive the public in his grand Provencal building and popular with Queen Victoria.
The independent French house has a rare and ancestral know-how. It sublimates beautiful materials with enthusiasm and high standards. Its signature: freedom, innovation and creativity. Its state label “Living Heritage Company” pays tribute to Molinard’s craftsmanship excellence.
In Grasse, the land of inspiration for Côte d’Azur perfumes, several tons of flowers are harvested each year for their exceptional olfactory qualities- The centifolia rose in May, jasmine grandiflorum in August, but also pale iris. The tuberose, the violet or even the orange blossom.
A successful mistake
In 1921, Maison Molinard created Habanita, the first oriental fragrance for women to enhance vetiver, an essence previously reserved for men. A true revolution in the world of perfume, which until then was dominated by floral fragrances. Come discover this success story, the result of a lucky dosing error. The perfume, with 675 essences, is a true olfactory chameleon that changes over the course of hours, from person to person.
The factory
Founded in 1900, Bastide Molinard houses the historic factory, creation workshop, museum, vintage distillery and an artisanal soap factory. In the heart of Grasse, whose metal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel. A free guided tour will let you discover the secrets of making the greatest perfumes, but also the heritage of the Maison Molinard. For example, the collections of bottles signed by the famous glass masters René Lalique, Baccarat, vintage furniture, old labels and other curiosities that you will have the opportunity to contemplate. A real journey into the heart of raw materials, discovering the behind-the-scenes of the perfumer. This is in the 1930s workshop where everything is designed, created and composed.
Discover the luxury of creating your own perfume: at the Fragrance Bar or the classic prestige workshop. The magic formula of your fragrance will be jealously preserved in the Maison’s archives.
International Museum of Perfumery
Entirely renovated in 2008, this venue offers a unique collection of 50,000 objects, related to the world of perfumes. It engages visitors in a fascinating and dynamic discovery of this universe, through videos, projections, interactive terminals or even olfactory and tactile points. Perfume is not just smelled, but experienced!
The beginning of the tour sets the tone: from growing perfume plants to bottle marketing techniques. You’ll learn how perfume is produced. The history and flowers of Grasse, the olfactory quiz and digital customization of your bottle: it’s all there!
The greenhouse
The tour continues from the multimedia spaces to the greenhouse, a superb olfactory garden where you will discover some of the most widely used raw materials in perfumery. In the greenhouse you will learn that extracted essential oils can come from different parts of the plant: root, leaf, flower, wood. You will discover very exotic materials such as vetiver, vanilla, sandalwood, or even patchouli. And thanks to the world menu, you’ll know where your favorite essences come from. Scent boxes are placed in front of each scent plant. This will allow you to smell the essence once it is extracted. The greenhouse is worth discovering during all seasons to see different blooms.
The museum has an entire floor devoted to centuries of perfume history, from ancient Egypt to the present day.
All the innovations in the museum
Discover the MIP’s extraordinary collections, the various educational materials, the basement, where you can experience the scientific aspect of perfumery (essence extraction techniques, synthetic molecules, etc.), and end your visit with the boutique.
The Museum is “Kid’s Friendly” with play and educational facilities to raise children’s awareness of the world of perfumery. In addition, numerous workshops are organized during school vacations to stimulate children’s olfactory system and imagination. They can learn how to create a mystery aroma, prepare scented bath salts, an eau de toilette, or even learn how to cook orange blossom shuttles.
In addition, on Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., visitors can sign up for a “scented yoga” session in the museum.
The museum is located in Grasse, where the scents of the French Riviera will leave you enraptured.