Top 10 Things to do in Grasse

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Top 10 Things to do in Grasse

Grasse is a beautiful French town just north of Cannes and an easy drive from Nice. It is quite a popular destination for day-trips for vacationers in the French Riviera region.

The town’s location is in an area with exceptional natural beauty and also regarded as the global perfume capital. Grasse is a haven for perfume lovers; it gives one the chance to come up with their own signature scents.

It is no wonder then that there is an international museum for perfume making, a number of perfumery tours and flower farms which grow the flowers that give such sweet fragrance. There is so much that one can do when visiting Grasse, other than the museums and the perfumeries, one can also head to the underground cave at the Riviera or stroll through its picturesque streets.

That said, here are some top 10 things one can do in Grasse;

1.  Personalized tour of the Perfume Factory and Historical Museum in Grasse

Grasse was not a sweet-smelling town. This town used to be a leather tannery in the 18^th century. Leather was a popular clothing material back then, but the smell would turn away people from it.

Then a brilliant businessman, Jean de Galimard, came up with a fantastic idea of making the apparel more appealing by masking the strong leather smell. He figured he’d achieve this by making good use of the sweet-smelling flowers around him. Well, here we are…

This traditional historic factory is located in the heart of Grasse. A tour of this historic gem gives you the chance to interact with perfume specialists and get a secret or two on how to come up with the perfect fragrance. You get an opportunity to shop at their gallery too!

2. Musée International de la Parfumerie

Another exciting thing to do while in Grasse is the international perfume museum. It is established in Grasse.

Most of the flowers that give the array of sweet fragrances are grown in Grasse. The perfect combination of rich soil and favorable climate in Grasse nurtures the roses, jasmine and other flowers that make this town a perfume capital.

This museum offers an opportunity to learn the cultural history of the tradition of the use of scents. On a tour of this historic place, one learns the scientific and artistic approach to examine all aspects of the history of fragrances.

3. Take a walk in the Old town in Grasse

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A walk down old town streets in Grasse can never be a bad idea. Take time off smelling perfumes and making your own concoctions. Explore the town’s beautiful streets and enjoy the magnificent views of the sea.

As you wander away through its narrow, cobblestone streets, you could take a break and rest under its shaded terraces and catch a drink as you marvel at the southern small-town atmosphere. There are amazing spots for perfect photo ops.

4. Museum of Jewelry and Provençal Clothing

History defines us; it defines our future and most probably the present. A perfect way to always remember and share this valuable aspect is through the preservation of the arts in museums. Grasse has its fair share of museums that showcase their fashion history.

The Provençal Museum of Costume and Jewelry is found at the gateway to the old town of Grasse in a very beautiful mansion, a former residence of the Marquise de Cabris, sister of Mirabeau.

This museum hosts an exceptional collection of traditional Provençal clothes and jewellery, on the 2^nd floor of an old Grassois building. Entry is free

5. Fragonard Perfumerie in Grasse

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It is hard to miss this centrally located building in Grasse. It was founded in 1926, and named after the famous French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a native of Grasse.

The perfumerie is a popular site to visit while in Grasse because it’s rich with perfume history.

The tour of the facility lets you discover all the steps in perfume making, from harvesting the flowers to bottling, and at the end of the tour, you can create and go home with your own perfume.

This facility does not charge any entry fee. There are gift shops where you can buy souvenirs.

6.  Notre Dame De Puy

This 12th-century cathedral is France’s national monument. It was named the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 and is part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

It is a striking example of Romanesque architecture, with an additional beautiful chapel that was constructed in 1740.

On a tour of the cathedral, you will see paintings by the great Rubens as well as one by the famous Grasse painter, Fragonard.

7. Visit the village of Plascassier

You might know this village as the place, French singer, Édith Piaf died in 1963.

There is more to this village, on your trip here you will find a church built in the 17th century that is worth visiting and next to it is a fountain built in 1891. You will also find jasmine farms that supply the Grasse perfume industry.

One of the places worth dropping by is Domain de Manon, it is open to visitors. You will get a tour of the grounds and discover the extraordinary flowers that have brought so much fame to Grasse.

8. Take a stroll in the lavender fields in Grasse

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As you might know by now, Grasse is synonymous with olfactory odyssey.

It is home to sweet-smelling lavender. All you have to do is follow the lavender roads and you’ll drive past the beautiful lavender fields. There is no missing it.

If you happen to visit in July, you will be awed by the endless blanket of purple fields rolling away into the horizon.

Some fields that you can visit are the Valensole Plateau, Senanque Abbey

9. Share a moment with the monks at Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

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2-hour drive west of Grasse is this historic abbey. It was established in the 12th century and it is one of the best examples of the primitive Cistercian architecture still standing.

During your visit, you can admire the abbey church, the ancient dormitory, the cloister, the warming room and the chapter house, built in the 12^th and 13^th centuries.

They also have a lavender field that paints a beautiful background pleasing to the eyes.

10. A visit to Domaine de la Royrie Grasse

This 500 yr old olive yard was founded in the early fifteenth century by the monks of the abbey of Lerins. The garden is full of history and you are sure of having an exciting experience during your visit.

During your tour of the medieval garden, you will get to see the olive groves, the museum of rural life, the medicinal garden and the 18th-century farmer’s houses.

You will get to know the history of olive oil, and at the end, you will be given a tour of the olive oil store at the basement where the precious oil is stored in bottles.

Grasse is an excellent choice for a vacation for a solo traveler, a group of friends or a family. There is so much that all of you can do from making your own fragrance and taking the memory and experience with you with every spritz. Take a piece of Grasse with you in a bottle.