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An Englishman in Grasse


Protestants in Grasse
The Huguenot community of Grasse was destroyed in the Wars of Religion, but Protestantism came back to Grasse from the 1870s on.
Dec 8, 20255 min read


Grasse's Institut Fénelon
Although only founded in 1919, Fénelon’s been entangled in the history of Grasse for nearly 200 years.
Nov 26, 20256 min read


Grasse and the Revolution
The French Revolution affected Grasse in many ways. It was a miserable period for the townspeople.
Oct 3, 20257 min read


The Rise and Fall of Hotels in Grasse
Grasse's centre boasts only one hotel, compared twenty or more around the town in the Thirties
Jul 16, 20257 min read


A Nice-Grasse motor race in 1899
There was a motor race in 1899 from Nice to Magagnosc (in the commune of Grasse) and back, won by a Daimler car
Jun 23, 20253 min read


Grasse’s strange attraction to Pauline Bonaparte
Pauline Bonaparte only visited Grasse for a few months in all, and yet she is commemorated by a park and a statue.
May 22, 20256 min read


Grasse and the London connection
Representation in London was essential for Grasse’s big perfumiers before the Great War
Mar 28, 20255 min read


How perfume technology shaped the town of Grasse
Few towns have been moulded by technology as much as Grasse.
Mar 8, 20257 min read


Grasse, Cannes and a battle for water
How Cannes and Grasse battled for control of local water supplies.
Jan 13, 20256 min read


Rubens in Grasse's Cathedral - a detective story?
Grasse's cathedral contains works by the great artist Rubens, but how did they get there?
Dec 7, 20246 min read


Grasse’s Fearless Street and two wartime episodes
There’s a narrow alley in Grasse with the odd name of rue Sans Peur ('Fearless Street').
Nov 7, 20244 min read


Avenue Thiers and the ‘English colony’ in Grasse
Building avenue Thiers extended Grasse east and catalysed the ‘English colony'.
Oct 25, 20244 min read


Grasse's Nightmare Street
Rue de la Rêve Vieille is an ancient street which is named from a former means of taxation.
Sep 20, 20243 min read


Admirals de Grasse & Rodney
De Grasse was the 'arbiter' of the US War of Independence. Admiral Rodney wasn't there. Maybe...
Aug 10, 20244 min read


The sad story of Bertrand Frères
Many of our historic companies are still successful today. This is one of the exceptions.
Jun 14, 20244 min read


Rue Tracastel: Grasse’s history in miniature
This street includes a magnificent moment during World War 2.
Jun 10, 20246 min read


Grasse and the Funicular
Could Grasse's historic funicular be re-built?
May 15, 20243 min read


Grasse's Napoleonic general and the return from Elba
General Gazan thrived under Napoleon but was ambivalent about his return.
May 1, 20245 min read
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