Grasse

In the hills behind Cannes, about 18 kilometres away, lies Grasse — for more than four centuries the beating heart of the international perfume industry and rightly called the world capital of perfume. The mild microclimate and the fertile soil make the region especially suited to growing jasmine, rose, tuberose, mimosa and lavender, the precious raw materials for the finest fragrances in the world. Anyone who drives into the hinterland from our apartment in Le Suquet trades the sea, in a short half hour, for a town entirely devoted to scent.

How Grasse became the perfume town

Grasse was originally a centre of tanneries. To mask the strong smell of the tanned leather, the artisans began making perfumed gloves — a fashion that became enormously popular from the sixteenth century onward. When the leather industry disappeared, the knowledge of perfuming remained, and it specialised further thanks to the ideal climate for flower growing. In this way the town grew into the worldwide centre of fine fragrances, where important essences are still made to this day.

The world of perfume

A visit to Grasse revolves around scent. At the renowned perfume houses Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard you can take a tour through the history and the art of perfume-making, from harvesting the flowers to blending the essences. You learn about the role of the 'nose', the master perfumer who can tell hundreds of scents apart, and about the way flowers are processed into precious oil. At some houses you can even compose your own, unique scent under guidance and take it home in a flacon — a very personal souvenir of your stay on the Riviera.

The old town centre

Grasse is more than perfume alone. The old town centre is a surprise in itself, with steep, winding streets, tinted façades in warm ochre tones, hidden squares and the impressive cathedral with paintings by, among others, Rubens. It is a lively, authentic Provençal town, far from the fashionable gloss of the coast. Stroll through the market, drink a coffee on a shady square and let yourself be surprised by the glimpses through to the hills and the valley.

The Musée International de la Parfumerie

The Musée International de la Parfumerie tells the full story of scent through the centuries, from ancient Egypt and the antique fragrance rituals to the modern flacons and the present-day perfume industry. You discover how scent has been used through time for seduction, status, hygiene and memory. The museum is an experience for all your senses and gives the visits to the perfume houses extra depth.

Blooming fields and the jasmine festival

Those who come in spring or summer can admire the famous flower fields around Grasse in full bloom. The jasmine that grows here is among the most prized in the world and is still picked by hand. In early August the town celebrates the traditional jasmine festival, the Fête du Jasmin, with parades, music and a rain of flower petals over the spectators — a fragrant and colourful highlight of the year.

Combine with the hinterland

Grasse combines excellently with the surrounding villages and the green interior. The nearby artists' village of Mougins lies a short distance away, and the nature of the Gorges du Loup and the picturesque Vence are also easily included in a tour. In this way you turn a day in Grasse into a complete journey of discovery through the hinterland of the Côte d'Azur.

Practical

Grasse lies a short half hour's drive from Cannes and is easily reached by car, bus or train. Allow enough time for at least one perfume house and a walk through the old town. Because the perfumeries and the museum are indoors, Grasse is also a fine destination on a less sunny day. Take a look at the apartment and the available dates and let yourself be enchanted by the world capital of perfume.