Founded in 1926 by Eugène Fuchs, Fragonard remains in the hands of his descendants to this day. Following in the footsteps of their forefather, the perfumers draw visitors from around the world to Grasse, the historic home of this guardian of French Riviera traditions.
A Century-Long Family Legacy. Created in Grasse after World War I by Eugène Fuchs, the House is now led by the fourth generation of descendants of this entrepreneur, who left his notary practice in the Loire region for the charms of southern France.
Deeply attached to the landscapes and history of this small town on the French Riviera, Eugène Fuchs named his company in homage to Jean-Honoré Fragonard, an 18th-century Rococo painter and son of the Grasse-based glove maker and perfumer François Fragonard. This tribute to the town undoubtedly brought him good fortune, as 100 years after its founding, the company’s sales reached 65.9 million euros in 2019.
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The Fragonard magic began when the Fuchs family acquired an 18th-century tannery, transforming it into a perfume factory at the start of the following century. Needless to say, the founder had a keen sense of opportunity, as it was during this period that the French Riviera became fashionable with the arrival of the railroads. With access to the region greatly improved, its shores attracted artists, celebrities, and royalty from around the world: The French Riviera was born, notably with the presence of Tsar Alexander II, Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna, and other Russian nobles in Nice.
A marketing genius, Eugène Fuchs broke with convention and offered tourists (and his clientele) the opportunity to tour the factory’s production workshops. After discovering the secrets behind their favorite fragrances, curious visitors were then invited to purchase the products. A formula that still hits the mark in the 21st century.
The next generation
Three years after launching his thriving business, Eugène Fuchs handed the reins of Fragonard to his son Georges and his son-in-law François Costa. The company’s international reach expanded further under this duo, as the former oversaw overseas operations while the latter led the teams in Grasse. Their specialty? The trade in raw materials and custom formulations.
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Featured picture : © Joost CROP / UNSPLASH
