格拉斯：全球最香的小城

　　Situated in the French Provence, Grasse is a picturesque town famous for its flowers and perfume. Known as the unique "fragrance metropolis", it tempts around half a million tourists to walk down its blissful alleys year in, year out.

　　If ever you drive through the hinterland of Cannes, just follow your nose north-west and after a half-hour trip you'll reach Grasse - a small, remarkable town in the French Provence.

　　This rural, medieval place first made a name for itself in the 12th century through the leather goods the tanneries sold to neighboring Italy.

　　Finally, during the 16th century, the fashion trends of the European courts of the day took on a decisive formative character: scented gloves were all the latest rage. In the heart of this magnificent scenery, local farmers began producing fragrant water.

　　Even today, the same plants are cultivated in Grasse that yield the flowers and essences which have proven indispensable for making perfumes: roses, lavender, jasmine and mimosas, which thrive in the Mediterranean climate. In times of greater demand some of these valuable blooms are also imported from abroad. On top of the aromatic substances for perfumes and cosmetics, the area has now begun producing fragrances for other branches of industry. 

　　Since this town smells exquisite and looks ornate, it has understandably become a favored location not only for the perfume industry but also visitors from home and abroad. The focal point of the town's tourist sights is its attractive old center with its impressive town houses and twisting alleyways that are so inviting that you simply have to stroll down them.

　　Lined by arcades, one experience not to be missed is a saunter across the Place aux Aires which is home to a picturesque fountain. With every morning the square bursts into floral splendor when florists and fruiters set up their market stands and the colorful hustle and bustle begins.

　　The various museums are an absolute must with their depictions of perfumery crafting and portrayal of the Provence's nautical history.

　　Whatever else you do, you should definitely take a deep breath when paying the town of Grasse a visit. Even such greats as Coco Chanel have sought and found inspiration in its array of scents and aromas which led to the creation of "Chanel No. 5" in 1920s, a fragrance that has since become legend unto itself.

　　17世纪的欧洲人就知道，最迷人的香水出自格拉斯。这个法国南部的小城是法国香水的摇篮，至今仍是法国香水的重要产地和原料供应地，风靡世界的香奈尔5号香水就诞生于此。它也为法国赢得了“香水之国”的美誉。