Grasse
Rising from the hills above the Mediterranean is the city of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, surrounded by the charming Provencal landscape.
Known for its leather tanning work in the Middle Ages, this hilly French town would eventually become the center of the French perfume industry after it began manufacturing perfumed gloves in the 16th century and farming a number of flowers used for fragrances.
In addition to the perfume industry, Grasse also provides travelers a break from the crowded Riviera coastal towns and offers a glimpse of the real Riviera away from the tourist route.
Sightseeing
Whether you are interested in the history of perfume making, the state of the current fragrance industry, seeing the flower fields, or just buying some good smelling goodies, Grasse has you covered.
Three perfume factories (Galimard, Fragonard, Molinard) offer daily tours and demonstrations, which draw in many of the region's visitors. Today some three-quarters of the world’s essences are produced here from thousands of tons of petals, including violets, daffodils, wild lavender, and jasmine.
For the history of perfume head to the International Museum of Perfume where exhibits chronicle over 3,000 years of perfume history and you can view their flower garden for an extra fee.
In addition to the perfumeries, Grasse's Old Town is a collection of large squares, narrow alleys, medieval ruins, 17th and 18th century buildings, and steep staircases. The main highlights are the Cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Puy founded in the 11th century, which includes some great views of the nearby countryside from various viewpoints such as the Place du Cours and the viewing point behind the cathedral. Other sights include the Hôtel de Ville (current City Hall, former Bishop’s Palace), square Sacaren tower, War Memorial, and the Jardin de la Princesse Pauline. Apart from the International Museum of Perfume, there are several other little museums in town that might be of interest as the “Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence”.
Night-life
The fun in Grasse doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, there are bars, clubs, lounges and live music. Throughout the year, we can find also other events more cultural proposed by the theater of Grasse as Classical music and drama.
Shopping
At least two perfumeries offer regular perfume creation workshops to the public in Grasse, (Galimard and Molinard) and Visitors can create their own scent. There are also a lot of important gift shops in the centre of the city.
Shopping
At least two perfumeries offer regular perfume creation workshops to the public in Grasse, (Galimard and Molinard) and Visitors can create their own scent. There are also a lot of important gift shops in the centre of the city.
Time
Standard Time Zone : UTC/GMT + 1 hour
Climate
The altitude of the town, from 300-400 m, and the hills behind give Grasse a fresher climate than the beach during the heat of the summer.
Public transportation
For those who have difficulty walking around the hilly Old Town, there is a seasonal tourist train available that goes by many of these attractions. You can get buses to Grasse from nearby towns, including Cannes and Nice or local bus to move around the city. Grasse has also a train station that connects with many Riviera towns.