How I made my first own fragrance @Grasse/Fragonard, my insights!

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Bonjour Grasse, France! 

My experience of an attendance at Fragonards workshop - perfumers apprentice - my insights! 

Hey guys,

never thought I would going back to be an apprentice, but as I was planning on our trip to beautiful Cote d'Azur, France, I was reading about the beautiful town of Grasse. 

Grasse is located in the region called "Alpes-Maritimes", about 30 min drive from Cannes. It is formally known to be the worlds capital when we speak about perfume. Mr. Patrick Süskind wrote also a novel about the town called "the perfume". 

I don't know how you think about it, but Im really obsessed with perfume. A day without putting on my favorite fragrance is a day lost for me. Over the years I found my "signature" fragrances, which I put on - depending on my mood which one I choose - in the morning. For me it is more to a fragrance then smelling good, it is a way of showing your personality and a perfect tool for again recognition. 

So it was no surprise as I found out a parfumeur called "Fragonard" is offering workshop called "perfumers apprentice". This one was made for me! You can book it easylie on the website of Fragonard, which I linked you here. Reservation through internet only and according the dates open. 

About Fragonard - it is once again all about dedication and passion. The parfumerie was opened in 1926. The name is choosen as the entrepreneur - Eugene Fuchs - was dedicating it to the famous Grasse-born painter, Jean-Honore Fragonard (1732-1806), as a tribute to both the town of Grasse and to the refinement of 18th-century arts. The choice of name expressed the desire to run the business in accordance with traditions. This spirit has been loyally perpetuated by the three succeeding generations who have run and are still running the company. Today , Jean-Francois Costas daughters, run the company continuing to build the company while adapting it to current market needs and desires. 

If you are not visiting the Cote d'Azur - no problem, you can also attend the workshop in Paris. 

One thing to mention for families, children are not accepted under 12 years old. 

As we arrive at Fragonard it was really historical. As you check in you see the Fragonard history and can check the different states of the companies history. We got warm welcomed by our teacher.

She took us to our "apprentice" room, which provided for every attendance an own desk with different tools, which we would need to use for the perfume process. 

After a short introduction from her she gave us a history and information tour of Fragonard and history of perfumery, origins of the raw materials.

The workshop started with smelling on the different glasses, provided for us. She was giving us an introduction about the "fragrance pyramid": head, heart and base notes. We got into detail about the sensory and olfactory memory development. She trained us about the essences used by a "nose". 

It was just great to experience where the raw materials come from and how many essences are needed to build a fragrance. 

After we knew about our "raw materials" which we had in glasses for us, we were ready to build up or own customized "Eau de Cologne" with 9 essences.  Which was just great and surprising how you mix up the essences to build a great perfume. 

After 1, 30 minutes which gone by so quickly we had to say goodbye leaving the great teacher with our own diploma as a "perfumers apprentice" by Fragonard, a lovely pouch to carry our perfume bottle and a Fragonard designed apron. 

The workshop costs: 65 Euro / person. 

If you are into fragrances and great activities for your mind and nose, don't miss this place when travel to beautiful French Rivera, France. 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Travel Saint Tropez, France? Don't miss "Le Club 55"! My insights !

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If your traveling to France, St. Tropez - don't miss the "Le Club 55"!

Hey guys,

Im finishing my Saint Tropez, France, where to go with a wonderful place to be and a place which should be on your list when planning a trip to wonderful St. Tropez: the famous "Le Club 55".

In case you missed my last posting about where to stay in Saint Tropez and where to party in Saint Tropez, just click on Part 1 or Part 2 and you will be directly forwarded to my last postings. 

Coming back to my topic, "Le Club 55". It is just a great spot, direct on the beach where you can enjoy great food, the beach and good drinks. 

For me it is one of the best beach clubs worldwide. The ocean is so clear and the sand that you just don't want to leave this place.

Make sure you place a reservation before you come here, as the Club 55 is always busy and only open during day time. 

Normally they have two spots when you can reserve a table. As we were there, we decided to have the first spot and to relax later on the beach.

The food and the drinks are fabulous, I enjoyed a great burger. Which you can see below. Also the Rose (I just can't miss a good glass of Rose) is just perfect.

For veggie lovers, there is a famous dish - it is the raw food plate. You get fresh, regional raw foods with bread - foodie heaven. 

Some call it the mother of all beach clubs. It is true, the roots go back to 1955 and since then the philosophy of the "Le Club 55" is to stay simple and authentic as the customer is not king here, he is a friend. 

You can really feel this passion and service behind your visit of the world known beach club in every detail.

Don't miss when coming the "Club 55" boutique, where you can find everything you need or don't really need for a great day on the beach. 

Enjoy yourself! Life is a beach!!!!!!

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Party in Saint Tropez? L'Opéra - Philippe Shangti my insights for you!

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Wanna enjoy the nightlife in Saint Tropez? The party to be is L'Opéra / Philippe Shangti! 

Travel to St. Tropez? Party in France, my insights ! 

Hey guys,

my last posting was all about where to stay when traveling to Saint Tropez, France. If you miss it make sure you check it out if your are planning on a trip to the the french rivera. 

Just click on Saint Tropez, where to stay? and you will be forwarded to my last posting.

So you know now about my recommendations to stay! But now I have some recommendations where to enjoy the nightlife from St. Tropez at its best - so if you wanna do party in Saint Tropez, France, you just right to reserve a table at the famous L'Opéra Saint Tropez.

We just came right, when the L'Opéra had the season opening party. 

The L'Opéra is located in the central village of Saint Tropez, it offers a wonderful view facing the harbor. Built up as an arena with an outdoor and indoor location. We loved to hang out on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the view towards the old city of St. Tropez. 

When you entering the restaurant you need to go over a really nice decorated red carpet, which makes the entrance to an unique experience. 

They have a fantastic art exhibition all over the location. The Tropezian artist is called Philippe Shangti and one of my personal favorite artists. He is a contemporary photographer and adds thoughtful character to the restaurant colored with humor and provocation. 

He created all the artistic elements from this restaurant. It is its own concept of an "art-gallery-restaurant" and he has created tables, chosen the colours, set all the shows and chose the performers. All of the shows are in total adequacy with the works of the artist and changes each year following to the evolution of this own series of artwork.

I personally loved the dining plates, see underneath. 

The range of the dinner options varies from France local cuisine, as well to international selections. I had a wonderful truffle pizza, which I can only recommend to you and the quality was outstanding.

The service we enjoyed this night was amazing, a special thanks again to Dimi for the great management ! 

When the dinner is over, the restaurant turns into a great night club with great music and people. The DJ is also amazing. 

So if you travel to Saint Tropez, don't miss out partying here! And make sure you place a reservation for dinner! 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Welcome to Saint Tropez, my insights for you!

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Saint Tropez - stay classy and fabulous at a Saint Tropez legend !

Hey guys,

when traveling among the French Riviera you should not miss out going to the hot spot: Saint Tropez, St. Tropez or Saint Trop - however you may call its the place to be in France, Europe, well in the WORLD!

So first questions firsts, where to stay in St. Tropez?

As Coco Chanel already told us girls you should be two things: classy and fabulous. So keep your heels and standards high there is really only one option where you can stay at,  the Saint Tropez legend : "Hotel de Paris Saint-Tropez". 

Talking about Coco Chanel and history, yes she was also staying in this wonderful central luxury located hotel. And I swear I could feel her spirit on the roof top terrace!

If the building could talk, it would tell you its story - a story which goes back to the height of Saint-Tropez's fame. Back in 1928 Marcel and Augustine Aubour invested their savings in a plot of land at the heart of Saint-Tropez, then just a small fishing village, but already home to a number of painters and artists including Colette, Matisse and Signac.
1931, Hotel de Paris-Saint-Tropez opened and the Parisian intelligentsia and art world as Coco Chanel became regulars. 

In the early 1950s Francoise Sagan arrived barefoot in her Jaguar and Juliette Greco, Boris Vian and Jcques Prevert left their poetic and musical legacies. In 1956, the "and god created woman" was filmed, strengthening the legend of Saint-Tropez and creating an indelible link with Brigitte Bardot.

The history itself from the hotel is like writing a "who is who" over the high society. 

The hotel held this position throughout the seventies and eighties, until it closed 1992. In 2001, millionaire Claude Dray mouth bought and renovated the hotel to bring the legend back to life. Rebuilt by architect Francois Viellecroze and decorated by Sybille de Margerie.

The hotel is really modern styled and you can feel the glorious history vibes all over this majestic place. The lobby is really amazing and has a great stylish open design.

I personally loved the stylish interior and art collection, to have a Apero on the bar and watch the scene was one of my favorites to do. 

One of my highlights of the hotel is the fantastic roof top terrace with a pool, where you can enjoy your glass of wine and the beauty of Saint Tropez from above.  It is a five-star hotel giving you all the amenities you could wish for, when staying at this wonderful place.

As the hotel is so central, you just need about one minute walk and your at the beautiful harbor, from where you can explore restaurants, night clubs, shopping streets or simply the nice old town of Saint Tropez.

The rooms are really modern and minimalistic designed.

I loved the bathroom, it features Clarins products. After a long day and a shower you sleep in the fantastic beds like a princess. 

 

The hotel has also a own restaurant and a bar where you can enjoy high quality snacks, drinks and of course great dinner and lunch.

When we were there, they had a great fashion show! 

The service, especially the concierge, is really helpful and can reserve the best tables at the well known restaurants. Also they give you great assistance if you need help in booking a yard or going by helicopter to Monaco. Don't forget to check out the Spa treatments ! After partying in Saint Tropez just always the right thing to do ! 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com