Grasse

The perfume town of Grasse is located in the Alpes Maritimes in the beautiful and lush hinterland just 20 kilometres from Cannes. Grasse is 333 metres above sea level, well protected by mountains, surrounded by flower markets and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its stunning location, Grasse is an ideal holiday destination. Grasse is the perfume centre of France, producing perfume extracts and essences. Several of the factories, including Fragonard on boulevard Fragonard and Molinard at the exit of the town, welcome visitors and sell scented souvenirs at the exit.

Grasse does not feel like a pure tourist town. Souvenir shops do not dominate in Grasse. The old town of Grasse, the vielle ville, is large, old and immensely interesting. In the old town, the streets still look medieval - narrow passages and stairways, narrow, dark tunnels where the sun never sets.

If you live in or near Grasse, the Gorge du Loup makes for a marvellous excursion. It is one of the most breathtaking gorges in the area, with a river rushing down the deep gorge that the river itself has eroded over millennia.

Grasse was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the end of 2018 for its unique perfume-making technique that has been used for centuries.

Inspiration for your holiday:

Attractions:

The old town with narrow streets and interesting shops

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence: Tells the history, art and traditions of Provence, furniture, earthenware, pottery, glass and archaeology. Located at 2 Rue Mirabeau.

Musée International de la Parfumerie: Here you can follow the entire process of perfume making. There are antiques related to 300 years of perfume making. Among them is Marie Antoinette's travelling trunk.

Musée Fragonard: Paintings, sculptures and etchings by J.H. Fragonard and his son Evariste, both born in Grasse and represented in the Louvre. These important artists are related to the perfume family.

Musée de la Parfumerie Fragonard: Displays perfume making in the old days and everything needed to make it. Located bd. Fragonard

Musée de la Marine: Maritime museum. Located Amiral de Grasse.

Activities in Grasse

Golf: Just above the town is an 18-hole golf course, Golf du Claux-Amic. The course is beautifully situated on a former 19th-century hunting estate: http://www.claux-amic.com. Europe's largest golf course is located just 27 kilometres southwest of Grasse in the small village of Tourrettes, Four Seasons Golf Club: http://www.fourseasons.com/provence

Golf: There is a wealth of golf courses in the Alpes Maritimes department. The French Golf Union has a website where most courses are presented. Unfortunately, the website is in French. Go to Guide de golfs and search here under the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: http://www.ffgolf.org/

Festivals (jasmine and rose)

Concerts

Parks (Princesse Pauline, Villa Noailles, St Jean)

Small tourist train

Guided city tours (90 min) - organised by the tourist office

Caves - The porous limestone hills north of Grasse are home to numerous caves and caverns. Most caves are located on the Plateau de la malle, around 4 kilometres north of Grasse, which rises up towards the Plateau de Caussols.

Ski resorts within a reasonable distance: http://www.skifrance.fr/default-a.htm

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