Flowers with delicate scents are grown in Grasse thanks to its microclimate: rose, jasmine, daffodil, carnation, tuberose, orange blossom, violet...
Jasmine was introduced from India to Europe in the 17th century. The cultivation of jasmine in the open field was made possible by irrigation (the Siagne canal, 1868). Each morning, a good picker can collect 2 to 3 kilograms of jasmine flowers. It takes about 8,000 flowers to obtain 1 kilo in weight. This strenuous work is carried out by seasonal female workers. For over a century and a half, the industrial cultivation and processing of jasmine to obtain the absolute has been the exclusive monopoly of the Grasse region.
In 1903, the first Bataille de fleurs (Flower Battle) was held in Grasse with floral floats making their way through the town. This festival restarted in 1970: it is now called Fête du Jasmin (Festival of Jasmine)and takes place during the first weekend of August. In May, for the past thirty years, the traditional Exporose has allowed growers worldwide to exhibit their varieties of roses.