What’s that smell? There a plenty of day or even half day trips to be made from Monaco. One option is a visit to Grasse, a village just a few kilometers off the coast but still part of the French Riviera. Grasse is the perfume capitol of the world. Since the 17th century, craftsmen from the area have been transforming the essence of locally grown roses, jasmine, lavender and many other fragrant botanicals into perfumes. In addition to hosting the International Perfume Museum, there are many opportunities to tour manufacturing sites where the perfumes are made. Some of the tours will include classes where the participants are taught the techniques of creating different scents with a variety of tones, colors, highlights, overtones, undertones, blahbity blah blah. You can actually make your own signature perfume. My instructor described my creation as monotone with no lights…perfect for my personality. (Seriously, it was both very interesting and quite fun.) Oh, and by the way, if you are interested in getting some amazing prices on world class French perfumes…or anything else with a smell, this is the place.
Steve Johnson
President, SNMC
