Montpellier, the historic capital of perfume

Here is the surprising, little-known story of how perfume came to be in Montpellier. 
The opulence of the Mediterranean trading posts, the prestigious University School of Medicine, the creation of the Jardin des Plantes, and finally the aromatic richness of the Montpellier garrigue. All these elements combined enabled apothecaries—who became perfumers—to establish Montpellier’s preeminence as one of the capitals of perfume.