Grasse | ||
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A general view of Grasse
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Coordinates: 43°40′00″N 6°55′00″E / 43.6667°N 6.9167°ECoordinates: 43°40′00″N 6°55′00″E / 43.6667°N 6.9167°E | ||
Country | France | |
Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | |
Department | Alpes-Maritimes | |
Arrondissement | Grasse | |
Intercommunality | Pôle Azur Provence | |
Government | ||
• Mayor (2014–2020) | Jérôme Viaud | |
Area1 | 44.44 km2 (17.16 sq mi) | |
Population (2012)2 | 51,021 | |
• Density | 1,100/km2 (3,000/sq mi) | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
INSEE/Postal code | 06069 / 06130 | |
Elevation | 80–1,061 m (262–3,481 ft) (avg. 333 m or 1,093 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Grasse (French pronunciation: [ɡʁas]; Provençal Occitan: Grassa in classical norm (and Italian) or Grasso in Mistralian norm, Occitan pronunciation: [ˈɡɾasɔ]) is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department (of which it is a sub-prefecture), on the French Riviera.
The town is considered the world's capital of perfume. It obtained two flowers in the Concours des villes et villages fleuris contest and was made "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (town of art and history).
Three perfume factories offer daily tours and demonstrations, which draw in many of the region's visitors. In addition to the perfumeries, Grasse's other main attraction is the Cathedral, dedicated to Notre Dame du Puy and founded in the 11th century. In the interior, are three works by Rubens and one by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a French painter native of the town.
Grasse - Parfumerie
Parfumerie Molinard
Napoleon Memorial
Fleur de jasmin
Blessed Sacrament chapel
Other sights include:
Hotel Court de Fontmichel
Palais des congrès
Boulevard du Jeu de Ballon
Place aux Aires
Side Street in Old Town
There is an annual Fête du Jasmin or La Jasminade, at the beginning of August. The first festival was on August 3-4, 1946. Decorated floats drive through the town, with young women in skimpy costumes on board, throwing flowers into the crowd. Garlands of jasmine decorate the town center, and the fire department fills a fire truck with jasmine-infused water to spray on the crowds. There are also fireworks, free parties, folk music groups and street performers. There is also an annual international exhibition of roses ("Expo Rose") held in May each year.