When you think of Grasse, perfume is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. Located in the hills of the hinterland above Cannes, this town is surrounded by flowers, perfume houses and workshops. Among the great names that have shaped the history of perfumery in Grasse, Fragonard holds a special place.

Founded in Grasse in 1926, the house was named after the famous painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, who was born in the town in the 18th century. For a century, it has continued a tradition of craftsmanship that is closely connected to the history of Grasse.

But Fragonard is not only found in Grasse. The house also has a perfume shop in Èze, one of the most famous hilltop villages on the French Riviera. It offers another way to discover the world of perfume, this time with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.

To understand the importance of Fragonard, you first need to understand the connection between Grasse and perfumery. For several centuries, the town has developed around the production and processing of raw materials, particularly flowers grown in the surrounding area.

The particularly favourable climate of the Grasse region has encouraged the cultivation of jasmine, Centifolia rose, tuberose, lavender and orange blossom. These flowers have become precious raw materials for perfumers and have helped make Grasse a world-renowned centre of perfumery.

It was in this environment that Eugène Fuchs founded Parfumerie Fragonard in 1926. He chose to pay tribute to Jean-Honoré Fragonard, one of the town’s most iconic artistic figures.

Today, the house has several locations in Grasse, including the Fabrique des Fleurs, where visitors can discover the world of perfumery. The visit offers an insight into the different stages involved in making a perfume, from the raw materials to the fragrance that eventually ends up in a bottle.

What I find particularly fascinating is discovering how much work goes into creating a perfume. We sometimes imagine that making a fragrance simply involves mixing a few essences together, but in reality, the process requires great precision and expertise.

The visit also explores the history of perfumery in Grasse and how techniques have evolved over the centuries.

A visit to Fragonard in Grasse would obviously not be complete without an olfactory experience. You can learn to recognise different raw materials and gain a better understanding of the main perfume families.

It is also an opportunity to discover some of the flowers that have made the region famous. Grasse jasmine is one of the local stars. Traditionally harvested by hand, it requires great care. The flowers must be picked at exactly the right moment to preserve as much of their fragrance as possible.

The Centifolia rose, another emblematic flower of the Grasse region, also plays an important role in the history of local perfumery.

And if you visit Grasse towards the end of summer, you may hear about the jasmine harvest, which still shapes the rhythm of life for some producers in the region. It is a wonderful way to understand that behind the perfumes found in boutiques lies an entire agricultural heritage.

Depending on the experience you choose, it may also be possible to take part in a perfume-making workshop. It is a particularly enjoyable activity to do as a couple or with friends, and a lovely way to leave Grasse with a truly personal souvenir.

If you already know Grasse or are exploring the French Riviera, you can also discover the world of Fragonard in Èze.

Located in the famous hilltop village between Nice and Monaco, the Fragonard perfume shop offers a chance to discover the house’s expertise in a completely different setting. Here, it is no longer the hills of the Grasse hinterland that provide the backdrop, but the spectacular landscapes of the Mediterranean and the French Riviera.

A visit to the perfume shop fits easily into a day in Èze. After exploring the narrow streets of the medieval village and visiting the Exotic Garden of Èze, you can stop at Fragonard to learn more about the production of perfumes and cosmetics.

It is also a great option if you are following an itinerary between Nice, Èze and Monaco and do not have time to travel all the way to Grasse. However, if you really want to understand the history of perfumery and its connection with flowers, I would recommend making time to visit Grasse: this is where the story of Fragonard truly comes to life.

Ultimately, visiting Fragonard, whether in Grasse or Èze, means discovering a small part of the soul of the French Riviera. In Grasse, you can explore the roots of perfumery and the flower fields of the hinterland; in Èze, you can discover this world in a spectacular setting overlooking the sea.

My little tip: if you are planning a day in Grasse, do not limit yourself to the perfume houses. Take the time to wander through the old town, discover its small squares and stop for a drink on a terrace. Perfume is an important part of Grasse’s history, but it is the town’s overall atmosphere that makes it so special.

And if your itinerary then takes you towards Nice or Monaco, make sure to keep Èze on your route: a walk through the village, a visit to Fragonard and a stop at the Exotic Garden make for a lovely break combining perfume, heritage and Mediterranean landscapes.