Grasse, located in the south of France, experienced a notable specialization in leather tanning during the Middle Ages. Tanned leathers were exported to cities such as Genoa or Pisa, with which Grasse had established a strong commercial alliance. Over the centuries, this intense tanning activity witnessed numerous technological advancements, giving Grasse leathers a reputation for high quality. However, despite this reputation, leather had an unpleasant odor that did not appeal to the nobility, who often used leather gloves. It was in Grasse that a tanner had the innovative idea to create perfumed leather gloves. He offered a pair of these gloves to Catherine de Medici, who was captivated by this unique gift. Subsequently, this product quickly spread to the Court and high society circles, thereby contributing to Grasse's worldwide renown. The 17th century marked the peak of the "Perfumed Glove Makers." However, leather taxes and competition from Nice had a negative impact on the leather industry in Grasse, leading to its decline and paving the way for the rise of the perfume industry. The rare and exquisite scents of the Grasse region, such as lavender, myrtle, jasmine, rose, wild orange blossom, and mimosa, made Grasse the world capital of perfume. For many decades, jasmine held a central place, requiring considerable manpower. The flowers had to be picked at dawn when their scent was most intense, then immediately processed through cold enfleurage. Today, perfumery remains the main industrial sector in Grasse. Nearly half of the city's tax revenue comes from this industry, surpassing tourism and services. Perfumery activities in Grasse encompass the production of natural raw materials such as essential oils, concrete oils, absolute oils, resins, as well as molecular distillation and the manufacturing of concentrates, also known as "the juice." This concentrate, diluted in at least 80% alcohol, yields the final fragrance. Food flavors have also gained importance since the 1970s and now represent over half of total production. The Grasse region plays a major role in the perfume industry, accounting for nearly half of perfume activity in France and about 7 to 8% of global activity. In the 1960s and 1970s, large international groups gradually acquired local family-owned factories, such as Chiris, Givaudan-Roure, and Lautier, often leading to production relocation. However, the Grasse industry underwent a profound transformation, and just 30 years ago, most businesses focused on raw material production. Today, perfume compositions largely rely on synthetic chemicals, which constitute a vast majority of the ingredients used. Grasse companies have adapted by turning to synthetic aromatics, particularly in the field of food flavors. Faced with competition from multinational chemical industry giants, Grasse industries cannot compete on the same level, but they nonetheless benefit from significant advantages such as their knowledge of raw materials, specialized facilities, and subcontracting partners. [parfumeur à Grasse](https://parfums-de-grasse.com/)