GRASSE, capital of an arrondissement, department of Alpes Maritimes (till 1860 in that of Var), France, 121 m. by rail N.N.W. of Cannes. Pop. (193 i) 13,372. From I 244 (when the see was transferred hither from Antibes) to 1790 it was an episcopal see, but was then included in the diocese of Frejus till 1860, when the region was annexed to the newly formed department of the Alpes Maritimes. It has a 12th century cathedral, now a simple parish church; and an ancient tower, of uncertain date, near the town hall, formerly the bishop's palace (i3th century). The library contains the muniments of the abbey of Lerins, on the island of St. Honorat opposite Cannes. In the chapel of the old hospital are three pictures by Rubens. Grasse is built in an amphitheatre at a height of 1,066 ft., on a south slope facing the Mediterranean. It possesses a mild and salubrious climate, and is well supplied with water. That used for the purpose of the factories comes from the fine spring of Foux. But the drinking water used in the higher portions of the town flows, by a conduit, from the Foulon stream. Grasse is particularly celebrated for its perfumery. Oranges and roses are cultivated abundantly in the neighbour hood. It is stated that the preparation of attar of roses (which costs nearly Lion per 2 lb.) requires alone nearly 7,000,000 roses a year. It manufactures wax, soap and the finest quality olive oil. There are a sub-prefecture and a tribunal of commerce.