Alpes-Maritimes
French department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region

tri des roses - MIP

The name Alpes-Maritimes refers to the coastal strip of the Côte d'Azur which runs from Menton to Théoule-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. To the west and north are the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, to the east and south is Italy and the Mediterranean. Roses, jasmines, violets, lavender... sage, verbena, orange blossom, pine... Thanks to its privileged climate, the Alpes-Maritimes have long been a favourable territory for flower growing and perfumery.

orgue de parfumeur - MIP

From the 16th century onwards, the perfume industry developed in Grasse and "the peasants started distilling their plants themselves to sell the essence and supplement their income". wiki In the 18th century, the know-how of the perfumers of Grasse acquired international renown and all around the flowery village there was a huge garden with a multitude of scented essences.

Tomek Kawiak - l'habit du parfumeur 1997 / carte des cultures des plantes à parfum  MIP

Thanks to the cooperation of perfumers and producers, Grasse has been able to survive the competition and in November 2018 inscribed the city's perfume know-how on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

  Grasse - © Caroline Bouissou