In this article we will tell you about one ofmost picturesque and interesting towns of Provence - Grasse (France). The French call it Grasse, and in most Russian-speaking sources it is written Grasse. Perhaps some of our readers remember him in the film "Perfume".
This city is the name of the perfumethe capital of France. This honorary status of a small town has been holding for several centuries and, apparently, is not going to give it to anyone. And this is despite the fact that, in accordance with current trends in the manufacture of perfumes, production is concentrated on large chemical plants far from the city. Nevertheless, the aromas of the most famous perfumes are spread in Grasse (France). Here the legendary Chanel No. 5 first appeared.
Location:
The city of Grasse (France) is a very small resort inDepartment of Alpes-Maritimes. Its population is slightly less than fifty thousand inhabitants. The modern city is located on the mountainside, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, 30 km from Nice and 16 km from Cannes.
Description
Grass (France) is not by chance calledcity of history and art: it offers all guests to get acquainted with the unique architecture that combines Genoese and Provencal styles. This alone makes the medieval city unique.
Приятную атмосферу Грасса дополняют живописные streets, markets with flavors of local dishes, small squares, the famous Cathedral, numerous architectural and historical monuments. It is in Grasse (France) that the most valuable raw material for the entire world of perfumery is produced - Rose Centifolia and Jasmine Grasse.
Italian artisans choseThis town in the XVIII century. They were the first to establish in it the manufacture of leather gloves, which were impregnated with aromatic substances. Thus, the future of the city was predetermined. Grasse (France), whose photo you can see in this article, is buried in a sea of gorgeous flowers. Their cultivation is favored by a special microclimate. In the fall, jasmine smells here, in summer it smells like lavender and roses, in the spring the air is filled with the subtle scent of mimosa.
Recreation
This resort became popular after it attracted Pauline Bonaparte. Following her, Queen Victoria bought property here, turning her into her winter residence.
Today vacation in Grasse (France) isthe opportunity to get a lot of positive impressions, because the city is recognized as one of the most beautiful on the Cote d'Azur. According to everyone who has already been here, the city today looks like Patrick Suskind described it in the novel “Perfume”. At first glance, it may seem unattractive, many at first do not allow the thought of acquiring real estate here. But it is worth taking a stroll through the narrow medieval streets, looking from the height of the valley, stopping at local shops and shops, breathing in world famous perfumes, and it becomes clear how unforgettable life and rest in Grasse (France) can be.
There are no offices of large corporations in this city.But here are three of the world's most famous perfume enterprises, which produce very important components for famous fragrances. The historic center of Grasse is neat and very clean, in the tradition of tourist booklets depicting the charms of Provence.
The city captivates with its houses with shutters onwindows. White doves live under their roofs. In the many shops you can buy colorful pasta. Grass is a square with plane trees and numerous cafes serving traditional snails in creme brulee, and menus are written in chalk on the boards displayed on the streets.
Interesting fact:As a rule, the historical center of a European city is located on a hill. Usually, the castle was built at a height, and settlements appeared around it, which today have become the outskirts of the historic center. Things are different with Grasse. The city is really built on a hill, but to get to the historical center, it is not necessary to rise. On the contrary, it is necessary to go down from the modern motorway along the stone stairs.
What to see in Grasse (France)?
Sure that most of the beautiful halftourists immediately after arriving in the city will go to study perfumery factories and museums that are open with them. There are also shops that sell finished products. For everyone here there are scented candles, incense, soap, body care products. You can even try to create your own fragrance, of course, under the guidance of an experienced employee of the Galimard factory.
Each street delights neat houses,painted in terracotta, ancient architecture, pretty chapels, elegant churches and fountains. Especially popular among tourists is a fountain in the form of a bottle of perfume.
Jasmine Feast
Every year at the very beginning of August in the townis a traditional jasmine festival. It was first celebrated on August 4, 1946. Today it is a magnificent celebration. Platforms, decorated with white flowers, float around the city, and young girls in not very modest dresses throw armfuls of flowers in the crowd. At this time, folk groups perform in Grasse, street performances take place, fireworks light up the night sky above the city.
Grasse (France): attractions. International Perfume Museum
The area of the museum is 3,5 thousand squaremeters, which exhibited more than five thousand exhibits. But this is just a small part of the collection, as the storerooms store ten times more various items related to cosmetics, perfumery and their production.
The museum exposition is built on chronologicalprinciple, it includes exhibits from five continents. Guests can not only study the history of perfumery, which began about 3 thousand years ago, but also learn interesting facts about the preparation of raw materials, the release of bottles, the features of various types of cosmetics, the traditions of perfumers from different countries.
Notre-dame-du-puy
This cathedral was built in 1154, but its presentappearance he received in the eighteenth century. Since 1244, the temple is the residence of the Catholic Episcopate. The cathedral contains a picture of Fragonard, who was born in this city, and three canvases by the great Rubens. The temple is decorated with stained glass windows and sculptures.
Villa Ivana Bunin
Perhaps once the villa of Ivan Bunin,located in Grasse, will make a museum. But today it is just a house with a sign hanging on its door, which says that the physicist G. Semenoff lives in it. On the other belonging of the villa indicates only a memorial plaque made of marble, installed on the road that leads to the house.
Вилла Бунина называется довольно помпезно — "Gazebo". But despite the loud name, the building looks very modest. Minimalist white two-story house with long windows and shutters of white slats.
Reviews of tourists
The bulk of travelers fascinated Grasse(France). Feedback on the trip people leave enthusiastic. Magnificent nature, a huge number of fragrant flowers, "toy" houses on the narrow streets - all this creates the feeling that you are in a fairy tale.
Many people liked the sightseeing tours of the perfumery capital, which are conducted by experienced guides. They know about this city a lot of interesting historical facts.
