We shall be spending 4 days in a B&B near Grasse next May (after Nice). I would like to experience a perfume making workshop. Have any of you done this? Can you suggest one? I would be happy with a French-speaking workshop, but one offered in English might be easier for my friend to manage (although her French is quite passable). We will also be driving around that area and would appreciate any suggestions. For example, we are planning on visiting Vence's Chapelle Matisse, but will be avoiding Cannes (as we shall be in Grasse at the start of the Film Festival). Thanks!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
We visited one in Grasse a while ago. Pleasant experience (not earth shattering). Worth doing, but just as part of the day. I got at least as much joy out of the quiet center squares in some of those hill towns. Have no recollection of the perfumerie name, but they are easy to find. possibly if you need English you should inquire ahead. No purpose going if you cant understand what they are telling you
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
1446 posts
I e-mailed Galimard yesterday and they replied promptly. The workshops are available in both French and English at their "Studio des Fragrances" and can be booked ahead of time. It should be a fun experience. My friend's husband is giving her this workshop as a Christmas present :-)
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
696 posts
Diane, my husband (he loves perfumes...) did the Gallimard workshop a few years ago. I think it lasted about 2 hours for the perfume making part. He really enjoyed it, since then he has reordered the perfume he made , (they keep it on file) and they delivered it in Paris while we we're there this summer. The village of Biot, is close by, that is where they do glass blowing, cute and interesting village. You might want to read the book Le Parfum writting by Patrick Suskind, it is about Grasse and perfume making and much more...
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1334 posts
I second reading the book Perfume by Suskind. If you like Renoir, you can visit his home, gardens, and studio in Cagnes sur Mer. It is well worth it.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
13 posts
Check the Fragonard discovery tours http://www.fragonard.com/
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
1446 posts
Thanks! As a Christmas present, our husbands have given us our bookings for the Studio des Fragrances at Galimard. We are confirmed for a bilingual workshop; and the reservation process by e-mail, from the Galimard website, was easy. It should be an interesting experience. The cost is 45€ and includes our "creation" to take home -- I just hope our noses work well that day!
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
Quite agree.....what a waste of money if you have a cold!
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
1446 posts
Yes! At least it's not paid for in advance.
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
Touche Diane! Although in my defence I didn't pay 'up front' either!
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
1446 posts
Shoni, I'm glad that it's all "coming up roses" on that front ;-)