Old mill and oil mill Doussan - Grasse

The building originally existed since the 18th century as a combination of a mill for oil and flour , with an oil press, water wheel, house and stable.

The whole is included in the Inventaire Général du Patrimoine Culturel of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The original structure around the watercourse, remains of milling mechanisms and facades are still partly visible.

It is now partly inhabited – not a museum, but still clearly recognisable in the streets (built-in oil jars, lettering).

Historically, Grasse had many oil mills , tanneries , and especially perfumeries and soap factories . This was due to a combination of natural, geographical and economic factors: Olive trees grow abundantly in the hills around Grasse → essential for olive oil production . Flowers and aromatic plants (such as jasmine, rose, lavender, mimosa) flourished due to the mild microclimate . Water sources and streams from the mountains made it possible to drive watermills (such as at the Huilerie Doussan) .

In the 16th century, Grasse was known for its tanneries , which produced gloves. The smell of tanned leather was unpleasant → people began to perfume the leather with flowers . This led to the emergence of an independent perfumery industry , which grew explosively in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Grasse developed into a centre of craftsmanship : olive oil pressers, soap makers (savonniers), distillers, flower extractors (enfleurage, maceration, distillation), ... Often one building (such as the Huilerie Doussan) was multifunctional: oil and flour, or tannery and perfume workshop.

Willem Vandenameele