We Go to Grasse – the Perfume Capital of the World
Last weekend we took a long drive with beau-dad and Annie and went to lunch, visited a beautiful lake and then went to Grasse perfume capital of the world. (Even Chanel perfumes get their flowers from Grasse.) Grasse (also known as the “gateway to Provence” is where perfume houses come to find the most sought-after raw materials. Grass is famous for the Centifiolia Rose, Jasmine and many other flowers, herbs and spices that are so essential in the creation of perfumes.
We’ve been to the House of Fraginard before, so this time we went to the house of Molinard, to take a tour and do some shopping. Molinard has an excellent reputation in the perfume industry and they are known for their use of traditional methods and experience over the last five generations.
One of the things to look for are the beauitful antique perfume bottles and labels. The boutique is worth exploring – even if you can resist the lure of the creams, soaps and essential oils for sale in addition to their perfumes. It showcases genuine 16th, 17th and 18th century Provencal furniture, along with authentic provencal costumes and there are incredible antique copper stills and antique equipment (you see it on the tour.)
Molinard also offers a Perfume museum in Nice right between the Quai des Etats-Unis and the Rue St. Francois de Paule that’s worth checking out!
So, after taking the tour, and trying many different scents, I chose one that has been around since the 1920s. Called “Habanita de Molinard” it comes in a square black bottle with a relief of naked women kneeling across the top (perhaps they’re worshipping the God of Perfume?)
It’s faintly spicy and is a blend of bergamot, peach, rose, jasmine, lilac, amber and vanilla. Of course my favorite perfume is still Opium, but this is great for daytime or when I want a lighter fragrance.
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