Discover Grasse, France | The World’s Perfume Capital
A short distance from the Mediterranean coast, situated on a rolling, pineclad hillside, you’ll find the pretty Provençal town of Grasse.
With the aromas of jasmine and rose lingering in the air, you’ll soon see why Grasse is famous worldwide. The quaint medieval town is known as the perfume capital, with interesting museums, olfactory gardens and elegant fragrance boutiques to explore.
Book a tour to curate your own personalised scent and afterwards soak up Côte d’Azur views over a romantic Michelin star dinner.
Even if you’re not perfume-inclined, there are many more things to see in Grasse. While away the hours admiring artwork, and visiting museums dedicated to the history of fashion. Or sip wine and nibble on socca (the local flatbread made from chickpeas) amid pastel architecture in a leafy square.
It’s the ultimate destination to add to a day trip itinerary, or you can spend your entire stay in Grasse. The hillside town is conveniently close to Cannes, Antibes and Nice, all of which are accessible via public transport.
Related Reading: Best Places to Visit in the South of France
A Brief History of Grasse
Grasse is known for its links to the global perfume industry, but during medieval times, the small hilltop town was positively pungent for all the wrong reasons.
Then, the town was a centre of the leather tanning industry, producing high-quality goods and exporting them to different regions throughout Europe. The tanneries were revered for their quality and expertise; however, there was also an unpleasant side. Grasse was avoided by many and often referred to as “The Stinking Town”.
This all changed when Jean de Galimard, whose perfumery was founded in 1747, decided to use floral scents to disguise the smell of leather products. This clever use of masking caught on and soon his perfumed gloves were in high demand. In the years that followed, Galimard became a main supplier of oils, pomades and perfumes to King Louis XV and the French nobility.
The perfume industry started to really flourish in Grasse when Molinard and Fragonard later opened their perfumery factories in the town.
Today, Grasse is known as the capital of fragrance – home to several factories, distilleries, museums and olfactory gardens, and the town has been responsible for some of the world’s most memorable scents.
Getting to Grasse
There’s no place easier to reach than Grasse, either with or without a car. The town has a rail station, with regular trains operating from Cannes, Nice and Antibes. The single ticket prices are reasonable too, costing under 5 euros from Cannes and less than 10 euros one way from Antibes and Nice.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can also hop on a bus from Nice (#500), Mougins (#660) or Cannes (#600 or #610), with tickets costing from €1,50 per person each way.
If you fancy driving from Nice, take the A8 and join the D6185 south of Mougins. From Cannes, head north along the D6285 and join the above route near Mougins. There are paid car parks in Grasse, and they’re clearly labelled as you enter the village.
I will say though, that driving there is not without its challenges. The tightly knit streets are busy and navigating them in the summer crowds can be stressful if you’re not used to driving in the South of France.
If you don’t want to have to think about the logistics, you can also take a guided trip. Several tours embark from Nice and Cannes that include Grasse in their itinerary. You can choose from medieval village tours, perfume factory tours, wine-tasting excursions and more.
Best Things to do in Grasse
Whether you’re visiting Grasse for a day trip or longer, these must-see landmarks and experiences will leave you spellbound.
Wander the Streets of Old Grasse
It’s easy to lose yourself in the charm of the old town streets, but the seasonal pink parasols suspended between buildings offer more than a touch of whimsy. They double as handy landmarks to guide your way and provide shade on hot summer days.
The umbrellas are also symbolic, representing the Grasse Rose de Mai (May rose) – a flower with such a tantalising fragrance, that it has captivated many a perfumier.
As you stroll along narrow lanes, enjoy a spot of window shopping. The boutiques in Grasse sell everything from elegant linen clothing, perfume and hats, to Provençal nougat infused with local floral flavours.
There are also fascinating museums and historic churches to discover alongside unusual monuments and pretty tree-lined parkways.
Discover the Story of Perfume
Grasse’s fragrant flowers help to make some of the finest perfumes in the world and you can discover the story behind it all at Musée International de la Parfumerie.
Inside the museum, you can learn about the journey of scents, soaps and cosmetics spanning a range of eras from ancient times to the Industrial Revolution when new technologies were introduced.
All aspects of the perfumery development are covered, from how specific flowers and plants are chosen, to how the scents are distilled, and then perfumes produced and bottled. You can also learn about how the bottles are designed and the marketing tricks of various luxury brands – it’s quite eye-opening!
If you’re thinking about bringing the kids, there’s plenty to entertain them too, with a selection of interactive and educational experiences.
Create Your Own Perfume
The memories that perfumes can evoke last a lifetime – the mere hint of a fragrance lingering in the air can bring details of a perfect day or family celebration flooding back. When you visit Grasse, you’ll have the opportunity to create brand new memories by creating your own personalised scent at one of the town’s three legendary perfume factories.
The OG of perfume-makers, Galimard, was founded in 1747 and their Fragrance Studio sits a few kilometres outside Grasse. You can enjoy a tour and build your own unique perfume in the temple of fragrances – an organ of 126 notes. You’ll work with an experienced “nose” to harmoniously blend florals, spices, woody and citrus tones to curate your new favourite perfume.
If you’re travelling with family, Molinard may be a good option instead. The perfumier has been family-owned since opening in 1849, and they offer classes catering specifically to children. After their humble beginnings in a tiny Grasse shop, they expanded their premises to a factory and distillery dreamed up by Gustav Eiffel. Here, you can also learn about the art of perfume making and discover their eloquent Lalique and Baccarat fragrance bottles on a tour.
If you’re pushed for time, Fragonard is in the centre of the town. The forward-thinking perfumiers began life as an artisan Provençal perfumery and they have since expanded to have three factories, museums and over two dozen boutiques along the coast. They offer fun workshops where you’ll learn all about the art of perfume before making your own.
Although the perfume classes vary in style and price point, each one has a team of experts to assist you in building the top, middle and base notes of your fragrance. You’ll leave with a personalised bottle and the secret formulaic details of your creation will be added to the database for future purchases!
Browse tours here:
Step Inside Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral
For a change of pace, and a non-perfume-related activity, take a walk to the Cathedral of Notre Dame du Puy in Grasse. The impressive structure is surrounded by monuments and close to Grasse-Place des Artistes.
The exterior is Romanesque in style with Provençal, Lombardy and Ligurian influences and above the main doorway you’ll see a statue of the Virgin. However, it’s not the façade of the cathedral that most come to see.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted with stained glass windows, statues and historic artworks including three masterpieces painted by Rubens including Christ Crowned with Thorns and further works by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
A few additions have been made to the cathedral’s original 12th-century design, with recent elements including the underground crypt and a Baroque chapel.
Museum Hopping in Grasse
You can also take a deep dive into Provençal history at the Museum of Art and History of Provence. The stately mansion was constructed for the Marquis of Cabris and the museum showcases an expansive collection of ceramics, artworks and archaeology.
Attached to the Fragonard Perfumery, you’ll discover the incredible Musée Provençal du Costume et du Bijou. Here you can discover everything about 18th-century high fashion of Provence and pay homage to the intricate lace and needlework of the time. View a variety of costumes displayed in large bell jars in the rooms and admire glittering jewels and belt buckles. It’s a must-visit for fashionistas and anyone interested in textiles.
Peruse Fine Art in a Stately Home
Tucked away in a beautiful 17th-century country house in the town is the Jean-Honoré Fragonard Villa-Museum. He was a member of the revered Fragonard perfume dynasty yet born in the early-1700s. It appears that the creative gene ran in the family, as Jean-Honoré was a well-known, and talented artist.
Over his lifetime, he created over 500 paintings, with most of his art focusing on the Rococo movement. He trained at an atelier renowned for its still-life works before heading to Rome.
His artworks hang in the Louvre and one of his well-known masterpieces, Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles, is displayed in Grasse Cathedral. During a guided tour of the villa museum, you can learn all about his life and view more of his exquisite paintings.
Take a Fragrant Stroll at Jardins du MIP
When you’ve finished exploring the old town of Grasse, head to nearby Jardins du MIP. The spectacular gardens are located at the town’s entrance – home to fields filled with orange blossom, geranium, lavender plants and conservatories brimming with roses and jasmine.
You can stroll along fragrant pathways, discovering pretty flowers and learning the perfume notes that each one represents. Later, complement this newfound knowledge by watching video guides to learn more about the flower harvesting process.
Don’t miss the famous rose centifolia in the conservatory. You may recognise its scent from a very popular perfume Chanel No. 5. When you’ve concluded your tour, relax beneath the cypress trees with a picnic and soak up the atmosphere in this idyllic space.
Enjoy a Michelin Star Dining Experience
The local cuisine in Grasse is a treat. The area is known for its high-quality olive oil, local cheeses and wines, and delicious nougat! There are many stunning places to dine in Grasse including the exclusive La Bastide St Antoine – Jacques Chibois, a Michelin star destination set inside a 17th century Provençal country house turned 5-star hotel.
Dine on the charming terrace, draped with bougainvillaea and vines overlooking manicured lawns with epic views of the mountains and Côte d’Azur landscapes. The dishes are akin to works of art, so if you’re a foodie, you’ll want to snap some pics. And don’t forget to order a glass of wine. The cellar houses over 25,000 bottles encompassing over 1,000 wine varieties.
Attend the Annual Jasmine Festival
Every year in August, the streets of old town Grasse are festooned with fragrant jasmine flowers. The three-day Fête du Jasmine celebrates the harvest with a colourful parade, live music and fireworks. You may be wondering why it’s specifically a jasmine festival when so many other flower species grow in the gardens and pastures nearby…
There’s a simple answer. Grasse is one of the largest jasmine growers in the world and it’s not an easy process either – farmers have to rise very early in the morning to harvest the flowers when the fragrance is at its strongest.
The jasmine flower is also at the heart of Chanel No. 5 – a famous fragrance developed by Gabrielle Chanel and perfumier Ernest Beaux in the 1920s. It is this fragrance that helped to put the small town of Grasse on the map as the world’s perfume capital. With these elements combined, it’s only fair that flower power should be celebrated each year!
Drive to the Grotte de Saint-Cezaire
Hidden in a six-hectare woodland park and country estate around a 15-minute drive from Grasse, the Grotte de Saint-Cezaire offers an ideal escape from the midday sun. This labyrinth of subterranean chambers was discovered in the late 1800s and they encompass around five kilometres of underground pathways adorned with stalactites and stalagmites.
If you take a guided tour of the grottos, you can learn all about the geology, hear stories of a never-ending chamber and even see a musical tune being played on a stalactite!
There’s a Mediterranean flora trail on the estate and an adventure park, plus you can even rent an eBike to discover the mountain trails. Fancy a bite to eat? The domain has stunning picnic areas, an on-site restaurant and a food truck open from early spring to late autumn.
Other Things to do Around Grasse
If you’re spending more than a day in Grasse, consider also exploring these must-visit destinations along the Côte d’Azur.
St Paul de Vence
With its meandering cobbled streets punctuated with artisan galleries and studios, and uninterrupted views of the Med, St. Paul de Vence is one of the region’s prettiest villages.
Wander around the hilltop town, admiring honey-coloured stone houses, see the resting place of artist Marc Chagall, and dine at La Colombe d’Or, an auberge once frequented by Matisse, César and Picasso.
Antibes
Antibes is a charming town of two halves between Cannes and Nice. On a visit, you can walk the ancient ramparts, relax on beautiful beaches and admire the architecture of the Old Town before perusing local markets.
Afterwards, head to Cap d’Antibes to hike the coastal trail to the Bay of Billionaires and stop for a swim in turquoise blue waters.
Read More: Best Things to do in Antibes
Cannes
If you enjoy a little glitz and glamour, spend a day in Cannes. The upscale coastal town is home to luxury yachts, glittering casinos and designer boutiques along Le Croisette.
There’s also the old town of Le Suquet to discover, with its pastel houses, speciality shops and winding streets leading to an epic viewpoint with an interesting museum.
Read More: Things to do in Cannes
Nice
Stroll along Promenade des Anglais, passing Le Negresco Hotel, head for the flower markets of Cours Saleya or venture to Castle Hill for amazing views and photos on a day trip.
The coastal city is also home to excellent art museums including Musée Matisse, Chagall Museum and MAMAC.
Read More: Things to do in Nice
I hope this guide has sparked your excitement to visit Grasse! While the town is a paradise for perfume and fragrance enthusiasts, its charm goes far beyond its scented offerings. From fascinating museums to flower-filled gardens and award-winning cuisine, this town in the South of France has something to offer everyone! Why not make it your next unforgettable adventure?
