Founded in 1989, the International Perfumery Museum, the only one of its kind in the world, is part of the emblematic territory of the city of Grasse, cradle of luxury perfumery initiated by France.

The Musée International de la Parfumerie, a public institution with the label "Musée de France", is dedicated to one of the most prestigious traditional French activities and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history and originality of the work of industrialists and the great perfumery houses. A true testimony of the international technical, aesthetic, social and cultural history of the tradition of the use of fragrances, the museum approaches the history of fragrances in all its aspects through an anthropological approach - raw materials, manufacturing, industry, innovation, trade, design, applications and through very different forms - art objects, decorative arts, textiles, archaeological witnesses, unique pieces or industrial forms.

Following a Western historical chronology-ancient, medieval, modern, and modern-the museum is divided into five parts, each representing a historical period and contemporary themes: Elegance and Classicism, Magic and Dynamism, Lightheartedness and Hygiene.

In all civilizations, perfumes have led to an incredible production of precious and refined objects made of rare materials: Alabaster, glazed earthenware, ceramics, glass, forged metal. Through exceptional collections of objects and examples of various industrial techniques, the museum traces the history of perfumes, as well as soaps, makeup and cosmetics over the last four millennia.

The Museum of the 21st Century takes a look at the past, but also at the present and even the future, if we think of the section on the era of globalization, marketing and communication and new markets.

The gardens of MIP

Rose Centifolia, jasmine, tuberose, lavender, geranium, broom, orange tree...., perfumes are first born in plants, from here or elsewhere. In the unique setting of the gardens of the International Perfumery Museum, we discover and smell these species that have provided the precious raw materials for perfumery for centuries.

In Mouans-Sartoux I visited the gardens, I could wonderfully relax and round off the understanding of perfume.