White Lotus Aromatics Newsletter - Grasse 2
NewsNeNwsNNewsletter Archive ewsl
Essence of Grasse
An agreeable summer retreat may be found on the other side of the Var, at, or near the town of Grasse, which is pleasantly situated on the ascent of a hill in Provence, about seven English miles from Nice. This place is famous for its pomatum, gloves, wash-balls, perfumes, and toilette-boxes, lined with bergamot. I am told it affords good lodging, and is well supplied with provisions.
Tobias Smollett, Travels through France and Italy
French perfumery, like the German, had its origin in Italy, when Catherine de' Medici came to Paris as [Pg 108]the bride of Henri II. She brought with her, among other artists, her perfumer, Sieur Toubarelli, who established himself in the flowery land of Grasse. Here for four hundred years the industry has remained rooted and the family formulas have been handed down from generation to generation. In the city of Grasse there were at the outbreak of the war fifty establishments making perfumes. The French perfumer does not confine himself to a single sense. He appeals as well to sight and sound and association. He adds to the attractiveness of his creation by a quaintly shaped bottle, an artistic box and an enticing name such as "Dans les Nues," "Le Coeur de Jeannette," "Nuit de Chine," "Un Air Embaumé," "Le Vertige," "Bon Vieux Temps," "L'Heure Bleue," "Nuit d'Amour," "Quelques Fleurs," "Djer-Kiss."
Edwin E. Slosson, Creative Chemistry
Chance, or rather choice in life has brought me back in recent times to the places where almost all the perfumes of Europe are born or made...
The farmer's work is governed by a kindly of uniquely floral timetable, where two adorable queens rule in May and July, the Rose and the Jasmine. Around the year's two sovereigns, one the color of the dawn, the other clothed in white stars, countless, swift violets, tumultuous daffodils, simple narcissi pass from January to December, and eyes are filled with wonder at the enormous mimosas...
Maurice Maeterlinck, Intelligence of the Flowers
Oh fields! Oh fields of Grasse, oh fertile hills,
Oh cultivated crags, oh silvery sources.
Oh myrtles, oh jasmines, oh forests of orange flowers..
Abbe Cognet: A. Godeau, Bishop of Grasse and Vence
In creating this perfume I have drawn upon the great classic essences that were produced in Grasse from aromatic plants that grew to perfection in around the ancient town. Vast acreage's were devoted to their cultivation during the golden era of Grasse's perfume past, particularly in the years from 1860-1930 when various forces came into place which caused the growing of such precious fragrant botanicals to decline.
Each of these essences has its own fine history which may be explored in future newsletters. For now one can enjoy the Essence of Grasse in this sweet perfume bouquet.
