General information
Discover the town of Grasse.
Grasse is a town in the hills north of Cannes, and is considered the perfume capital of the world, a heritage celebrated at the International Perfumery Museum in the city centre. Three perfume factories, Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard, offer daily tours and demonstrations. But Grasse is more than just perfume…
Click here to book your day drip to Grasse, visiting the Parfumerie Fragonard, St-Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, and more! Hostel pickup included!
One Day in Grasse.
Visiting the perfume museum is a must for your trip to Grasse. After, we suggest continuing with the Fragonard art museum and the Museum of Provençal Fashion. These three spots are within 50 metres of one another and will give you an excellent introduction to the city of Grasse. Finish your visit of Grasse with the old town and its many restaurants, cafés and shops.
Grasse Museum of Perfumery.
The free guided tour is very well done and will help you understand the process of developing perfumes and the associated accessories.
Fragonard Art Museum.
Located in the Villeneuve hotel, a historic building restored in the style of Grasse mansions of the 18th century, the Fragonard Art Museum is dedicated to the most famous person of Grasse, the painter Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). The museum presents about fifteen major works of the artist, as well as a collection of paintings by two other Grassois artists, Marguerite Gérard (1761-1837) and Jean-Baptise Mallet (1759-1835).
Museum of Jewellery and Provençal Clothing.
The museum houses an outstanding collection of traditional Provençal clothes and jewellery, on the 2nd floor of an old Grassois building. The mansion itself is worth a detour, but the clothing and jewellery gives you a good sense of life in Grasse before modern times. Entry is free
Old town
Grasse is situated on top of a hill with magnificent views of the region and the sea. The old town is colourful and charming and has been named the City of Art and History. Lose yourself in its narrow, cobble-stone streets, stop for a drink and enjoy the shade in one of its many terraces, and enjoy the southern small-town atmosphere.
Of particular note are the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville), the Roman Catholic cathedral with many paintings, including some by Rubens, and a beautiful and relaxing city square named Square of August 24th (Place du 24 Aout) with a view of the sea.
local guide tips
- The best place to find out more about the town’s fragrant history at one of the Parfumeries, which offers regular tours and the possibility to make your own perfume! Try the most famous among them, the Parfumerie Fragonard.
- Learn about the history and manufacture of perfume with a visit to the International Perfume Museum.
- Visit the charming historic centre of Grasse and then take a short 15 minute train ride and visit the gardens of the International Perfume Museum.