Question: Which City is considered the perfume capital of the world? Imagine going to a place where
perfumers train their craft. A land where perfume making is revered as more
than a craft but also an art. Whether you like to call it the utopia or
Shangri-la of perfumers, it's incontestable that this place is a heaven for those
who love to use or make perfumes. Consider this as the center of perfumery. A
land where perfume is also one of the focal points of life. So which city is
considered the perfume capital of the world? The place that you're looking for
is hidden in the northern hills of Cannes - Grasse a small town, but a city
when it comes to perfumes.
Let's explore a little about
Grasse - the perfume capital of the world. I'll give you a brief discussion
about why Grasse is the undebated center of perfume on Earth.
What Is Grasse?
Some say that the perfume capital
in the world is France. However, this is wrong. The perfume capital is only
in France. Grasse is a humble town that's northwest of luxurious Cannes and
west-southwest from the second-largest city in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - Nice.
Grasse is gifted with a climate
that's not too cold nor too hot. Furthermore, the mountains and hills that
surround it provide wonderful shelter against storms and typhoons. Also,
Grasse's soil is filled with the essential nutrients that plants need to grow.
As a result, jasmine and other flowers that are essential for perfumes grow
lush and highly fragrant.
About 50,000 people are living in Grasse right now. Of course, all of these
people aren't perfumers. Some are businessmen, farmers, florists, etc.
Nevertheless, the main source of income here for the government and people are
perfumes. The fragrance companies in Grass, though owned by different
nationalities, employ at least 20% of Grasse's population.
Most of France's revenues from perfumes come from Grasse.
Of course, this a mix of perfume ingredients and perfume finished products.
But aside from perfumes, Grasse
is also one of the leading producers of food flavoring.
How Did Perfume Making Start In Grasse?
Grasse is the cradle of perfumes
since the 16th century. But would you believe me if I say that it started with
the odorous craft of leather making? Before perfumes, the people living in
Grasse first made gloves and other leatherware for nobilities. However, nobles
weren't very keen on its leather goods because they don't smell so good.
As a result, people started to
make scented leather products especially after the Medicis ignited the craze
about scented gloves. In general, this is the driving force that allowed Grasse
to enter the perfume industry in the past.
How Many Perfumers Live In Grasse?
I can't give you an exact number.
But it's safe to say that lots of perfumers live or have visited Grasse.
Perfumers go to Grasse to perfect the art and craft of perfume making. In
Grasse, they learn from the local boutique stores how to distinguish various
ingredients, mix fragrances, and make their signature perfumes.
Read Also: How do you make perfume from flowers
Read Also: How do you make perfume from flowers
A famous perfumer that came from
Grasse is Ernest Beaux. Have you ever used the ever-famous Chanel no.5? You
have to thank Ernest Beaux if ever you impressed people with that perfume.
What Are Some of The Oldest Perfumeries in Grasse?
Here are the oldest perfumeries
in Grasse that are still thriving well:
- Galimard
- Jean Galimard established this in 1747 and it specialized on ointments
and perfumers for the nobles
- Molinard
- established in 1849 and specialized in perfumes that used Baccarat
crystal and Lalique glass containers
- Fragonard
perfumery - established in 1926. You shouldn't miss its museum that showcases the timeline of perfume making in Grasse.
Conclusion:
The next time your friends ask
you which city is considered the perfume capital fo the world, tell them to
visit Grasse. It's a place where they can learn the secrets of perfume making.
Also, Grasse is a great location for finding the best authentic perfume grade
perfumes. Why? This is because Grasse, as the perfume capital of the world,
will surely live to its name.
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