Grasse
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{{French commune|nomcommune=Grasse<br>[[Image:Grasse2.JPG|300px]]
|région=[[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]]
|département=[[Alpes-Maritimes]]
|arrondissement=Grasse
|canton=
|insee=06069
|cp=06130
|maire=Jean-Pierre Leleux
|mandat=2001-2008
|intercomm=Pôle Azur Provence
|longitude=6.9167
|latitude=43.6667
|alt moy=333 m
|alt mini=80
|alt maxi=1061 m
|hectares=4444
|km²=44.44
|sans=43,874
|date-sans=1999
|dens=988
|date-dens=1999}}
'''Grasse''' ([[Provençal]] [[Occitan]]: ''Grassa'' in classical norm or ''Grasso'' in Mistralian norm) is a town and [[episcopal see]] in southeastern [[France]]. It is a [[commune in France|commune]] of the [[Alpes-Maritimes]] [[Departments of France|department]] (of which it is a [[sous-préfecture|sub-prefecture]]), on the [[French Riviera]].
==Perfume==
[[Image:Grasse - Parfumeur.JPG|250px|left|thumb|Bronze parfumeur in old Grasse]]
Grasse has had a prospering [[perfume]] industry since the end of the 18th century.
Grasse is the center of the French [[perfume]] industry and is known as the world's perfume capital (''la capitale mondiale des parfums''). Many "noses" are trained or have spent time in Grasse. It produces over two-thirds of France's natural aromas (for perfume and for food flavourings). This industry turns over more than 600 million [[euro]]s a year.
Grasse's particular microclimate encouraged the flower farming industry. It is warm and far enough inland to be sheltered from the sea air. There is an abundance of water, thanks to its situation in the hills and the 1860 construction of the [[Siagne canal]] for [[irrigation]] purposes. The town is 350 m above sea level and 20 km from the ''Coast'' ([[Côte d'Azur]]).
[[Jasmine]], a key ingredient of many perfumes, was brought to southern France by the [[Moors]], in the 16th century. Twenty-seven tonnes of jasmine are now harvested in Grasse every year.
There are numerous old 'parfumeries' in Grasse such as Molinard, Fragonard, Galimard each with tours and a museum.
==Ecclesiastical history==
{{main|Ancient Diocese of Grasse}}
==Festivals==
There is an annual ''Fête du Jasmin'' or ''La Jasminade'', at the beginning of August. The first festival was on the [[3 August]]–[[4 August]] [[1946]]. These days, it is a big event; decorated floats drive through the town, with young women in skimpy costumes on board, throwing flowers onto the crowds. This is known as the 'flower battle' and everyone gets soaked by the natural perfume of the flowers. There are also fireworks, free parties, folk music groups and street performers. There is also an annual international exhibition of roses ("Expo Rose").
==Miscellaneous==
===Births===
Grasse was the birthplace of:
* [[Jean-Honoré Fragonard]] (1732–1806), [[painter]]
* [[Gazan de la Peyrière]] (1765-1845), general who fought under [[Napoleon]]
* [[Charles Pasqua]] (born 1927), businessman and politician
* [[Michèle Mouton]] (born 1951), rally driver
* [[Thomas Pinault]] (born1981), professional footballer
* [[Albert Charpin]] (born 1842), painter
===Deaths===
* [[Édith Piaf]] (1915-1963), iconic French ''chanteuse''
* [[Prince Eugen of Bavaria]] (1925-1997)
===Twin towns===
Grasse is twinned with:
* [[Kazanlak]], {{BUL}}
* [[Ingolstadt]], {{GER}}
* [[Opole]], {{POL}}
* [[L'Ariana]], {{TUN}}
* [[Carrara]], {{ITA}}
* [[Murcia]], {{ESP}}
* [[Marblehead, Massachusetts|Marblehead]], [[Massachusetts]], {{USA}}
===Trivia===
The town is the setting in the final chapters of the novel ''[[Perfume (novel)|Perfume]]'' by [[Patrick Süskind]].
==See also==
* [[Route Napoléon]]
==External links==
*{{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.ville-grasse.fr/ Grasse city council website] (in French)
{{commonscat|Grasse}}
{{Alpes-Maritimes communes}}
[[Category:Communes of Alpes-Maritimes]]
[[Category:French Riviera]]
[[Category:Subprefectures in France]]
{{AlpesMaritimes-geo-stub}}
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