The 5 things to do in Grasse

What to do and what to see in Grasse, world perfume capital?

Visit Grasse, medieval city of Art and History? Good idea! Founded in the 7th century, Grasse is a typical city of Provence, with its tasty blends of Provencal and Genoese architecture, its squares and fountains, its narrow alleys that snake to the scented plains, where roses, jasmines and olive trees grow... You know what to do in Grasse? You will not be disappointed by the visual and gustative pleasures of this colorful and scented city of multiple scents.

If we surname it “the world capital of Parfums”, Grasse has many other forces of attraction than its fragrances. For visiting Grasse is like exploring the galleries of a museum of Time that passes: the center is full of historical monuments and renovated buildings dating from the 17th and 18th century, which cohabit with the special hotels of the 19th century and the villas of the 20th century. Grasse is also a protected nature reserve on a quarter of its territory. So what do we do in Grasse? You've got a list of five attractions to do by going to visit Grasse.

1. The old quarter of Grasse

Promontory over the sea, the old neighborhood is going through quickly. Its typical streets of the cities of the Midi are home to many historic buildings, including the city hotel, its fountain and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of the 13th century. Place aux Aires and its arcades are a very good starting point to visit Grasse. Preferably, choose a market day (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) to blend into the popular atmosphere of the neighborhood. The yellow, orange and ochre shades of the buildings will treat the pleasure of the eyes during your walks.

2. The perfumeries of Grasse

Discover the perfume manufacturing processes in the three perfumeries in the old quarter of Grasse. Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard perfumeries are open to guided tours. Uncontournable in the city, one learns to develop oneself its perfume, from picking flowers to the bottle. Galimard perfumery is the oldest of all, founded in 1747.

3. Visit Grasse Museums

It would be a shame to visit Grasse without passing through its museums retracing the history of the city:

• The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence, located in the hotel of Clapiers-Cabris, relative to the daily life in eastern Provence from the Prehistory and the decorative arts from 17th to present,
• The Fragonard Museum, in tribute to the painter Grassois Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806),
• The International Perfumery Museum, 4000 years of perfumery history, discover the history of the business of industrialists and large perfumery houses,
• The Provençal Museum of Costume and Jewelry, around the world of women’s costume in the 18th century

4. The Jasmin Festival

For 70 years, at the beginning of August, Grasse has been breathing the jasmine for three days (4, 5 and 6 August 2017) and flooding the entire city of this flower with enchanting scents. According to tradition, a battle of jasmin flowers is organized in the street. As the jasmine flower is very fragile, the inhabitants use jasmine water, which also allows them to refresh themselves. In the streets, about ten very decorated floral tanks march, and their pass-houses launch multicolored flowers to the crowd. Many folklore groups, fanfares and artists for small street concerts occur there, a date not to be missed if you want to visit Grasse!

5. Make the market of Place aux Aires

regional duits near the fountain of Place aux Aires, with a single motto: good, fresh and local. The market is not only the time to restock. It is also a privileged moment of social life reflecting the typical charm of the Midi. Olives, honey, fresh vegetables, cheese, bakery: no doubts, we are well in the capital of perfumes!

How do I get to Grasse? Where to stay in Grasse?

Grasse is 20 km north of Cannes and can be reached by train or car. Touristic especially in the summer and during the market days, we find hotels and apartments in the old center but also in the surroundings. You can find a cheap hotel in Grasse by looking for this Compare hotels .