Grasse, located on the French Riviera, is globally recognized as the perfume capital. One of the most fascinating anecdotes about this town and its perfume industry dates back to the 16th century, with the story of scented gloves.
At that time, Grasse was primarily known for its tanneries. The production of leather was thriving, but it had a major drawback: the unpleasant odors emanating from the tanning process. To mask these smells, tanners began to scent the leather with essences of local flowers, particularly lavender, jasmine, and rose, all abundantly cultivated in the region.
The story takes an interesting turn with Catherine de Medici, the Queen of France, who played a crucial role in the popularity of scented gloves. In 1533, she received a pair of scented gloves as a gift for her marriage to Henry II. Delighted by this idea, she promoted it at the royal court and among the nobility. This fashion quickly spread among the French and European aristocracy, making scented gloves an essential luxury accessory.
This enthusiasm for scented gloves gave new impetus to the perfume industry in Grasse. Tanners gradually converted into perfumers, perfecting the art of extracting essences and creating perfumes. Thus, Grasse became known not only for its leather but also for its perfumes.
Today, Grasse is home to many renowned perfumery houses, and the tradition of perfumery is maintained with exceptional expertise. The flower fields surrounding the town continue to provide high-quality raw materials to perfumers worldwide, perpetuating the olfactory heritage of this small Provencal town.