Perfume making in Grasse listed as UNESCO heritage

The UNESCO committee in charge of safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity met yesterday in Mauritius to decide which candidacies made it into their list. The skills related to perfume making in the Pays de Grasse were among the chosen ones.

It's taken the region of Grasse 10 years to see their perfume-making techniques on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Known as the world's capital of perfume making, Grasse has been the centre of this industry since the 16th century. Fields of roses, jasmine, irises, lavender and other fragrant flowers surround this beautiful ancient town where several big perfume brands have their headquarters.

According to UNESCO, "The skills related to perfume in Pays de Grasse cover three different aspects: the cultivation of perfume plants; the knowledge and processing of natural raw materials; and the art of perfume composition."

To learn more about these ancient techniques, visit one of the many 'parfumeries' that turn beautiful flowers into delicate fragrances or take part in the annual Fete du Jasmin, celebrated every summer in Grasse.