Things To Do in Grasse
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Grasse Attractions
Beyond Grasse itself, the hilltop village of Cabris (tourist office website; tel. 04-93-60-55-63) is one of the back-country's hidden gems. This immaculate village is bursting with places to feast on Provençal cuisine, as well as dramatic Riviera panoramas. For the best views, climb up to the cypress-shaded gravel courtyard beside the 10th-century château ruins. From here, you can see all the way from the jutting coastline of Cap-Ferrat to the St-Cassien lake.
- Museum
Musée International de la Parfumerie
This comprehensive museum chronicles both Grasse’s fragrant history, as well as worldwide perfume development over the past 4,000 years, is the only one of its kind in the world. Wander among raw materials, ancient flasks (including Marie Antoinette’s 18th-c. toiletry set) and…Around Town
- Tour
Parfumerie Fragonard
One of the best-known perfume factories is named after the famous 18th-century French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. This factory has the best villa, the best museum, and the best tour. An English-speaking guide will show you how "the soul of the flower" is extracted. After the free… - Tour
Parfumerie Molinard
This firm is well known in the United States, where its products are sold at Saks, Neiman-Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s. In the factory, you can witness the extraction of the essence from the flowers, understand the distillation process completed in copper tanks designed by Gustave…Around Town - Museum
Villa Musée Fragonard
The setting is an 18th-century aristocrat’s town house with a magnificent garden in back. The collection displayed here includes the paintings of Jean-Honoré Fragonard, who was born in Grasse in 1732; his sister-in-law, Marguerite Gérard; his son, Alexandre; and his grandson,…Around Town
Grasse Shopping
One of the best shopping streets in Grasse is pedestrianized rue Jean Ossola, where shops are generally open from 10am to 7pm with a lunchtime closure during winter. Here again Fragonard leads the crowd. Parfumerie Fragonard, 20 boulevard Fragonard (see above, at rue Jean Ossola; tel. 04-93-36-44-65), greets customers with the hazy scents of jasmine, green tea, and bergamot. After you've finished browsing soaps shaped like roses or ducks, you can walk further along the street to find Confidentiel, 3 rue Jean Ossola (tel. 04-93-36-40-62). This recently opened treasure trove is filled with antique jewelry, quilted Provençal boutis, and embroidered linen clothes. At nearby Fragonard Maison, 2 rue Amiral de Grasse (tel. 04-93-40-12-04), you'll find glassware, embroidered tablecloths, and handmade souvenirs. Just opposite, Maroquinerie Monique, 5 rue Jean Ossola (tel. 04-93-36-23-29), is the place to buy chic Parisian Longchamp handbags and fold-up tote bags.
