At the bus stop, we get to know the scent

The town of Grasse, on the French Riviera, is known for its roses, so much so that it is dedicating a festival to them, ExpoRose, whose 53rd edition unfolds with its splendor and scents until Sunday. It is also associated with perfumes, as it is home to big names like Fragonard and Lancôme, Le Figaro explained Wednesday, while Givaudan will soon establish itself on a disused wasteland.

So, to ensure ExpoRose leaves a special mark, the city partnered with JCDecaux to create the first scented bus shelter. Essentially, the French daily explains, a device "sprays a sort of invisible mist" at a bus stop on Boulevard du Jeu-de-Ballon in the city center. The choice fell on a "floral and woody" fragrance, blending raspberry, rose, jasmine, iris, patchouli, and sandalwood or oud. According to the website petitesaffiches.fr, the device can be programmed according to the time of day, and a "nozzle integrated into the advertising box allows for optimal diffusion, taking into account wind conditions."

As Grasse's mayor, Jérôme Viaud, explains, the goal is to reinforce "the image of the world perfume capital" that has long clung to the city in the Alpes-Maritimes. Eventually, the authorities intend to repeat the operation. Particularly for the Jasmine Festival in August. And other bus shelters in the city should also allow visitors to smell different scents. In Grasse, there's no shortage of perfumes.