While the French didn’t invent perfume, they have certainly made it their own and produce some of the world’s best-known fragrances and eau de parfu. Paris and Grasse in Provence are the main bases for French perfume manufacture and widely considered to be the world capitals of scent. And ask anyone to name a perfume brand and the chances are that Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent or Guerlain will be first to come to mind. France and parfum therefore go hand-in-hand.