IES Abroad Nice students followed their nose to the nearby village of Grasse last week for a perfumerie tour.
Grasse was developed in the 12th century as a tannery town, but the stench of curing leather inspired locals to start cultivating the flower fields surrounding the village. This led to the start of a booming perfume industry, and Grasse has been producing perfume since the 17th century. In fact, the city is recognized as the world's perfume capital.
There are three main perfumeries in Grasse: Galimard, Fragonard, and Molinard.
Our students visited Maison Molinard, a family-run business that was established in 1849. The perfumerie is housed in a beautiful mansion that has been converted into a museum of perfume.
After a wonderful tour through the original factory, students had a chance to try their hand, or rather, nose, at the perfume trade. A thoroughly pleasant olfactory experience later, and voilà!
Each student tucked away a bottle of their own custom signature perfume to take home as their treasure.
Learn more about our Nice French Studies & Business on the Riviera Program, as well as our Direct Enrollment programs here.
