Grasse is a lively town in the heart of Provence in France. It is more precisely located on the French Riviera and is a very touristic town which is widely visited in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region. Grasse is one the favourite cities of tourists and locals thanks to its many advantages. The town has the privilege to be situated only 15 kilometres from Cannes and therefore from the Mediterranean Sea.
Grasse is an easily accessible city and the 4th biggest city of the Alpes-Maritimes in terms of population. You will love its charm of yesteryear, indeed Grasse has managed to keep its traditional side which is not the case of all places in Provence.
Grasse is also a hymn to delicate smells. Indeed, the town is the world capital of perfumery. When one thinks of Grasse, one thinks of Fragonard, the small perfume shops that line the old town and the authentic know-how. The reputation of Grasse nowadays crosses borders.
We'll take you to discover Grasse! Read these few lines and enjoy the gentle way of life that is typical of Grasse and Provence. You will know what to do in Grasse and the best time to visit the south of France. The ultimate guide to prepare your stay in Grasse, France which is an essential stopover during your stay in our Evancy Les Jardins d'Azur residence !
THE CITY OF PERFUME
In Grasse you will smell a thousand smells: like those of the Fragonard perfumery for example. According to the writer Francis de Croisset, Grasse is the only city in the world where the word factory is poetic. And this is due to its perfume factories and its gardens of perfumed flowers! Grasse offers many activities to awaken the senses, perfumes and scents of the Pays de Grasse, as well as creative, fun, educational and recreational activities for individuals wishing to learn more about the world of perfumery. These are the kind of activities you don't get to do every day! Ready for a sensory experience in Grasse?
You can start your visit with the International Perfume Museum. From Antiquity to the present day, you will be able to discover the various existing skills and techniques used over the centuries. Beyond the smells, you will be able to explore the processes of all the products around perfumery: whether it be make-up or soaps for example.
You can also visit the gardens of this museum. Indeed, the cultivation of flowers is no longer as present as it used to be in the Grasse region. Nowadays, flowers are grown and imported from more distant countries. In order to continue this tradition around Grasse, the Musée International de la Parfumerie has its own gardens where the flowers used as raw materials are grown. Admission to the museum is 4 euros per person and special rates are available depending on your situation. Please also note that the museum regularly organises guided tours and events.
You can also visit the historic factory and the Fragonard Perfumery Museum. If you are a fan of this renowned perfumery, we recommend that you read our article about this unique family business. The historic factory can be visited free of charge and will allow you to discover the place where the thousands of Fragonard products, from perfumes to soaps, are made. It is also possible to visit the flower factory in Grasse. The ideal opportunity to learn more about the world of perfumery and the historical know-how of the Fragonard house.
But there is not only the Fragonard house in Grasse. Gallimard and Molinard perfumes are also very renowned. In addition, you can also create your own fragrance in Grasse with professionals. Get closer to the Fragonard, Galimard or Molinard perfumeries in order to know the conditions of each of the perfumers. It is a workshop that is likely to awaken all your senses and allow you to take a first step into the world of creation and perfumery.
STROLL IN GRASSE
Grasse is a town known worldwide for its perfume and aroma industry. It is labelled a city of art and history which will take you on a journey through time between its 13th century Cathedral and Episcopal palace, 17th and 18th century mansions, alleys and fountains, breathtaking views and ancient dwellings.
Immerse yourself in the culture, history and heritage of the town of Grasse. We recommend that you discover the Fragonard art museum. You will be able to discover the life and careerof the great painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. He is a child of the country of Grasse and he represents the french art of the 18th century. Even today his name continues to radiate in the city of Grasse and throughout the world.
Of course, we recommend that you wander through the streets of the old town to discover the typical restaurants and small shops of Grasse. For example, stop at the place du 24 août in the old town of Grasse to see the town alive.
WHEN TO VISIT GRASSE ?
You are probably wondering when is the best time to visit Grasse. The good news is that the Grasse region can be visited all year round, in summer and winter! Of course, it all depends on your preferences in terms of seasons and crowds.
The weather will obviously be better in April and October. The sun is generally omnipresent at this time of the year on the Côte d'Azur. However, if you want to take advantage of higher temperatures to wander around the city of Grasse in a lighter atmosphere, we recommend that you come in July or August. However, this is also the busiest time of the year. Indeed, many tourists come to enjoy the wonders of Grasse during the summer. School holidays should therefore be avoided if you want to enjoy your visit with peace of mind. Whatever your choice, we promise you that you won't regret your visit to Grasse!
Beyond the weather, you can also choose the period of your visit according to the activities of the city. There are many events during the year in the town of Grasse.
From mid-January to March, you can enjoy the Mimosa road.It is a symbol of Côte d’Azur and stretches over 130 kilometres and obviously passes through Grasse! On this occasion, the town offers several activities throughout the period.
Later in April, the Grasse Flowers and Perfumes Country Rally takes place. To stay sporty, the town of Grasse continues with the Grasse Tennis Open between April and May.
In mid-May, you can take part in a special weekend: the Pink Expo! The city of Grasse honours rose creators and producers for a weekend. You can then discover floral exhibitions, festive events and of course savour the scent of the rose-scented streets.
At the beginning of June, Grasse hosts the "Rendez-vous des jardins". Then it's off to the first weekend in August for a much-anticipated festival in Grasse! The jasmine festival. This is a whole programme based on jasmine over 3 days, inviting you to take part in a wide range of colourful, fragrant and even musical activities. Moreover, flower distributions are even organised in the streets of Grasse during this special weekend.
EATING OUT IN GRASSE
You will love wandering around the city of Grasse looking for a place to eat. Settle down on the terrace of a pretty café for breakfast, book in a small typical restaurant in the town centre... In any case Grasse will take you on a traditional taste journey! You will be able to discover the local specialities of Provence such as the lou fassoum for example. The lou fassoum is a speciality of the city of Grasse. It is a cabbage stuffed with pork, rice and new peas. You will see, the Provençal cuisine has not finished surprising you!
HOW TO GET TO GRASSE ?
If you are wondering how to get to Grasse we have the solution. First of all, you should know that if you decide to come with your own vehicle, this will obviously be the simplest solution. Unless you come during the high tourist season, when it can be more difficult to drive and park. Fortunately, Grasse has several car parks where you can park your car while staying close to the town centre and the main tourist spots in the city.
Grasse also has an SNCF train station which will allow you to connect several towns in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region thanks to TER trains. It is also possible to connect the town of Grasse by bus. To find out about possible connections as well as timetables and fares, we recommend that you visit the Sillages bus network website.
If you arrive directly by plane, it will probably be at Nice Côte d'Azur airport. You should also be aware that Grasse has a few cycle paths for getting around the town centre.
FIND A HOLIDAY RENTAL NEAR GRASSE
If you are looking for a hotel or a place to spend your holidays near Grasse we have the solution. Our residence les Jardins d'Azur in Vence welcomes you 30 minutes from Grasse and Nice. You will enjoy a 4-star tourist residence situated in a natural setting as well as fully equipped and tastefully decorated accommodation.
The region of Grasse is exceptional and you will soon realise this during your visit. Take a look at a map of the region and you will see that the town has an incredible situation.
Of course you should visit Nice which is quite a large city. Between the Promenade des Anglais and Vieux-Nice, the reputation of the capital of the Côte d'Azur is well established. You will love strolling through its streets, discovering its beach and enjoying a terrace café in the heart of its old town.
Canne is quite different and is more than just a festival. You usually hear about Cannes for its cruisette, its villas and its stars. However, the city is much more than that. To discover the city we advise you to stop at the forville market, to stroll in the port of Cannes and of course to stroll along the Croisette promenade. If you still have time, you can even enjoy the beach of Cannes which remains a pretty beach near Grasse (20 kilometres separate Nice from Grasse).
If you come to the Côte d'Azur with the idea of discovering authentic Provence, we also have what you need. We recommend you to discover pretty little villages like Saint Paul de Vence or Gourdon. You will not be disappointed and you will have the opportunity to discover exceptional villages with a rich historical heritage.
NATURAL SITES NEAR GRASSE
But the area around Grasse is not just about towns and villages! You will also love discovering the territory, natural sites, parks and exceptional places that border the town of Grasse. Everyone enjoys strolling and walking in the heart of nature. Whether you like hiking or not, there is something for everyone in the area around Grasse.
First of all, we recommend a visit to the Mercantour regional park. It is a space of pure air and serenity that opens up to you when you visit this incredible natural site. Numerous points of interest await you around the park and the only risk you take in going there is to want to return as soon as possible! A place to discover on your own, with friends or with your family and children!
To stay on the list of natural parks, we also recommend you visit the Préalpes d'Azur regional nature park. The park extends over 47 communes including Grasse. Numerous walks also await you in this 90,000-hectare natural park.
Near Grasse you will also find the Saint-Cézaire caves. This 6-hectare park, just 20 minutes from Grasse, is sure to delight the whole family for a day. You can then visit the Saint-Cézaire cave, take advantage of a mini-hike to discover the fauna and flora of the region as well as a tree climbing adventure course.
Finally, take a look at the Manon estate to see the fields of flowers as well as the Caussols plateau for their proximity to Grasse.
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