Grasse – perfume capital of the world
Grasse has had a major perfume industry, recognized all over the world, since the 18th century. The town is the center of the French perfume industry and is known as the world’s perfume capital. This industry turns over more than 600 million Euro a year.
Grasse’s particular micro climate encouraged the flower farming industry. It is warm and far enough inland to be sheltered from the sea air. There is an abundance of water, thanks to its situation in the hills and the 1860 construction of the Siagne canal for irrigation purposes. This makes the cultivation of jasmine, a key ingredient in many perfumes, very easy. The flower was brought to southern France by the Moors, in the 16th century and is now harvested in Grasse every year.
The town of Grasse is also the birth place of one of the world’s most famous perfume, Chanel No 5. It was the first fragrance from Parisian couturier, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Thanks to the jasmine flower the perfume became a world hit, making the Chanel brand one of the best sold and most popular in the world since the early 20th century.