Sher

We will be staying near Grasse for several days and one of the things I would like to do is tour these two sights.
My husband hates many fragrances and scented candles. Should I suggest that he not accompany me on these tours?
Can anyone give me some idea of how scented the air is in these buildings. Thank you very much.

travginny

Sher: The buildings are highly scented. I visited two parfumeries on two different occasions and both times, I felt very uncomfortable. The tours, however, are quite interesting.

Sher

Well, that is out for him because he cannot tolerate any room that is heavily scented.
I keep reading how interesting they are. I guess I do the tours and he gets the book.
Thanks

janT

I didn't do the tour, but we went to the Molinard factory while in Grasse last month. It was definitely overwhelming, but I too avoid scented candles and their ilk like the plague. This did not bother me. I mean, I get a headache walking past one of those candle places in a mall, or when they bring out the cinnamon brooms at the grocery store (gag!), but honestly, this did not bother me.

We got some great perfumes to bring home, and I, who rarely wear fragrance, have worn some every day since our return. I love it. So different than what you find here in the states. Don't know how the Fragonard factory stacks up against Molinard, but a French friend of mine told me Molinard was the only one she would consider. Whatever, I'm glad we went, though we did not do the tour due to time constraints. The tour may have been too much anyway for me, but the showroom/shop was fine.

hanl

I don't remember the Musée de la Parfumerie being particularly scented, but the Fragonard building was.

Sher

Thanks to all. Of course in all of the guide books, none mention the smell! But, you have to consider there has to be some frangrance in the air, just not how much.
I am going to look into the Moinard factory. I want to buy some gifts while there for a special friend. She loves frangrance.

Christina

It's been a few years since I was there, but I also don't recall the perfume museum as being scented at all. What I remember is a lot of displays of ads, bottles, etc. I like that kind of stuff as I enjoy decorative arts and publicity design.

I toured the Fragonard perfume factory which is right near the Perfume Museum in Grasse. I found it mildly interesting but nothing I'd consider a must-see. It seemed to mainly be geared towards selling you stuff in the back room after the tour. The tour discussed perfume making to some extent and showed some equipment. They also have a small room displaying some of their historical bottles, etc., but you can see some of that in the main perfume museum, also. I liked the perfume museum a lot better than the factory tour.

Gardyloo

I agree about the Fragonard "tour" - basically touting the products, which, BTW, lost most of their punch after a very short time. I went with spousal unit then fled to the car when the sales pitch and the odor both started getting the better of me. The parking lot was hot.