Grasse Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Grasse featuring heritage architecture
Journey to a beautiful hilltop town that fascinates with its museums, cathedral and perfume-making heritage that is hundreds of years old.

Grasse is a beautiful town in the hills of Provence that lays claim to being the perfume capital of the world. The links with the fragrance industry go back centuries. Dotted among the 17th and 18th-century buildings of the narrow streets are several perfume companies. Learn about the history and technology of perfume making, see fields of jasmine and lavender cultivated by perfumiers and check out the historical buildings.

The scents of Grasse are due to its microclimate, which encourages the growth of flowers that were once used in great numbers to make perfumes. To learn more about this and the history of perfume, go on a tour of the International Perfume Museum. Visit its gardens which have many plants known for their medicinal and aromatic properties. Continue on the scent trail with free tours of the perfumeries of Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard.

Delicious smells are only part of Grasse’s cultural attractions. At the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence, browse exhibitions on everyday life in the Provence region since prehistoric times. Among the items on display are archeological finds, antique furniture and bathtubs and bidets that were used by the upper classes in the 18th century.

Enjoy a walk through the narrow lanes and alleys that every now and again lead into small squares. Find your way to one of the town’s landmark buildings, the 12th-century Grasse Cathedral. Inside are three paintings by the Flemish Baroque painter Rubens. Look for the 18th-century religious painting The Washing of the Feet by the Grasse-born French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

The gorgeous countryside of Grasse with its woods and vast expanses of flowers also hosts good golfing ground. Challenge yourself on the greens and fairways of Claux Amic Golf Club and Saint Donat Golf Club.

The flower fields, culture and perfume-making heritage of Grasse are approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) inland from Cannes. Arrive by car, or by taking the bus or train from the glamorous French Riviera city.

Where to stay in Grasse

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Plascassier

While Plascassier isn't home to many top sights, Grande Bastide Golf Club and Saint Donat Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Plascassier
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Le Plan-de-Grasse

Le Plan-de-Grasse is well liked for its golf courses. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Grasse area, you might plan a trip to Grande Bastide Golf Club or Museum and Parfumerie Fragonard.

Le Plan-de-Grasse
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Saint-Jacques

While Saint-Jacques may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Museum and Parfumerie Fragonard and International Perfume Museum.

Saint-Jacques
OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport
OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport
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147 Boulevard René Cassin, Nice
The price is NZ$183 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
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11 Nov - 12 Nov
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Fantastic location and wonderful staff
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Reviewed on 30 Oct. 2024

OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport
Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
3 out of 5
4 avenue Max Gallo, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is NZ$163 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
NZ$163
includes taxes & fees
18 Nov - 19 Nov
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Reviewed on 1 Nov. 2024

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
Yelo Jean Médecin powered by Sonder
Yelo Jean Médecin powered by Sonder
4 out of 5
47 Bis Avenue Jean Médecin, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is NZ$208 per night from 5 Dec to 6 Dec
NZ$208
includes taxes & fees
5 Dec - 6 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Nice. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
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Reviewed on 1 Nov. 2024

Yelo Jean Médecin powered by Sonder
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming Provencal house in field of secure standing with swimming pool
Charming Provencal house in field of secure standing with swimming pool
Grasse
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Grasse. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Saint Donat Golf Club and Grasse ...
9/10 Wonderful! (54 reviews)
Charmante maisonette à Grasse
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Reviewed on 25 Sep. 2024

Charming Provencal house in field of secure standing with swimming pool
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
4 out of 5
180 voie Marie Fisher, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes
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Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Antibes Le Maestria
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Antibes Le Maestria
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664 route des 3 Moulins, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes
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Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Antibes Le Maestria
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Grasse

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4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Mad to drive around there, streets so narrow.

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