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An Englishman in Grasse


Charles Nègre, Grasse's photographer-artist
One of the great pioneers of photography, Charles Nègre, was born and died in Grasse
Aug 146 min read


A foreign Frenchman in Grasse
A boy from Alsace came to Grasse in 1873 and made a successful living but was always treated as a foreigner.
Jul 315 min read


Renoir in Grasse
The great impressionist spent the winter months of 1900 & 1901 in Magagnosc, in the commune of Grasse
Jul 35 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 226 min read


Grasse’s own Villa Noailles
It may have the same name as the one in Hyeres, but our Noailles has a history of its own
Apr 196 min read


Julia Child in Grasse
Julia Child, the pioneer American ‘TV chef’ lived part time nearby and loved Grasse.
Apr 115 min read


Dirk Bogarde: a film star and writer in Grasse
He lived here for 17 years and was made Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1990
Jan 316 min read


Sights of Saint François and a remarkable man
Five highlights of my quarter of Grasse, including two houses, a canal and an extraordinary life
Dec 21, 20247 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


H G Wells in Grasse
H.G. Wells, the great English author, lived in Grasse from 1924 to 1933.Â
Nov 21, 20244 min read


Oscar Niemeyer – a Super-Grasse which never was
The Altitude 500 swimming pool is the only part of Super-Grasse which was actually built.
Oct 3, 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


Alice de Rothschild at Villa Victoria and Waddesdon Manor
This huge villa was just Alice de Rothschild's winter 'cottage' away from her main home.
Jul 25, 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


A French Vicar of Bray in Grasse
Grasse had its own Vicar of Bray. Maximin Isnard came from a well-known family here.
Apr 15, 20243 min read


Grasse's company quarter
The Bon Marche quarter is Grasse's miniature equivalent of Bourneville and Eindhoven.
Apr 13, 20243 min read


The faces of Fragonard
The only thing in common between the perfumery and the painter is the name.
Apr 13, 20245 min read


Léon Le Bel: Grasse's 'go-to' architect
There's an extraordinary relic of Grasse's perfumeries in the 20s above the old town.
Apr 13, 20244 min read
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