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Guest Post by Tripbase.com about the Fete du Jasmin (Festival of Jasmine) in Grasse, France
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Samantha Lister, from Tripbase.com shares her thoughts on The Fete du Jasmin which is celebrated annually in Grasse during August.
Grasse is a beautiful town located in the stunning French Riviera. It is considered to be the world’s perfume capital. To add a little extra fact for the perfume enthusiasts among us: Grasse is the birth place of Chanel No 5.
Grasse has a special microclimate that supports the flower industry since it has a warm mild climate, it is far enough inland to be sheltered from the salty air of the Côte d’Azur, and more conveniently, there is also an abundance of fresh water from the nearby hills that is used to irrigate the land.
Jasmine, which is a key ingredient used in perfumes, was introduced to the South of France in the 16th century. It grows abundantly in Grasse and approximately 27 tons of flowers are harvested every year. Such a flower deserves to be honored and in true European style, the town of Grasse dedicates an entire festival to it.
The annual Fete du Jasmin is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Grasse. The festival starts with a jazz concert at the Cours Honore Cresp which precedes a wonderful fireworks display to get things going with a bang! But what else can be expected during this energetic festival. On Saturday you can expect musical bands marching through all the main streets performing for the public, along with the floats decorated in beautiful summer flowers. However, the true highlight of the festival is the Bataille de fleurs (battle of the flowers), which commences in the evening and adds to the atmosphere of this already lively event. Sunday is a time to relax or reflect upon the festivities from the previous evening with family and friends. There is also a morning mass in the gardens of Princess Pauline, with refreshments afterwards of course.
The first Fete du Jasmin started in 1946 but at this time there was no flower parade or the battle of flowers however, the locals still enjoyed the popular festivities consisting of concerts, art exhibitions, puppet shows, fireworks, and of course, lots of dancing. Today, the Fete du Jasmin retains its traditional character through the presence of the impressive flowers that are fundamental to the perfume industry and the parade of beautifully decorated floats that are chaired by lovely girls throwing flowers at the public.
The 63rd Annual Fete du Jasmin commences on the 20th of August 2010 and takes place until 22nd of August. To anyone who is vacationing or planning to take a break in the French Riviera this year, I highly recommend adding these dates to your itinerary and grasp the opportunity to enjoy one of the most vibrant and beautiful festivals that Europe has to offer.
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December 12th, 2010 at 6:54 am
[...] Guest Post by Tripbase.com about the Fete du Jasmin (Festival of Jasmine) in Grasse, France [...]
November 28th, 2011 at 10:50 am
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[...]Video Diary of an American in France » Blog Archive » Guest Post by Tripbase.com about the Fete du Jasmin (Festival of Jasmine) in Grasse, France[...]…
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 am
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[...]Video Diary of an American in France » Blog Archive » Guest Post by Tripbase.com about the Fete du Jasmin (Festival of Jasmine) in Grasse, France[...]…
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