Called the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, the town of ‘art and history’ – Grasse has a great cultural and architectural heritage. As the town of perfume, it has one of the finest collections of ancient objects related with the history of making perfume. Apart from the Perfume factories, the distilleries, soap factories and museums should not be missed. Not to mention the ‘Fragrance workshops’, run by professionals who create new perfumes, working in their mini laboratories.
Located in the hills inland from Cannes, the commune of Grasse includes a large forest estate of which almost a quarter is listed as a natural reserve. There are many hamlets surrounding the town, Magagnosc, Plascassier and Le Plan are delightful villages to explore.
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Gardens and Flower Plantations
The town of perfume has many gardens and flower plantations, such as the Domaine de Manon with fields of jasmine and roses. Other sight-seeing attractions are the Jardin de la villa-musée Fragonard (Fragonard Villa-Museum Gardens), the Jardin de la Princesse Pauline (Princess Pauline’s Gardens), the Jardin de la Villa Fort de France (Gardens of the Villa Fort of France), the Jardin de la Villa Noailles (Noailles Villa Gardens) and the Jardin des Plantes (Plant Gardens).
Walkers can also go to the Parc Communal de la Corniche (local park).
Perfumerie Molinard
Built in 1849, Molinard, one of the best perfumeries in the world capitals of perfume, is an integral part of history. The Molinard family company are constantly researching the finest perfumes without compromising their fine traditions.
A guided tour of the perfumery will reveal the secrets of the trade and you will also see an exceptional collection of bottles signed by Lalique and Baccarat. There is also a fine collection of furniture dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries in the Provençal museum.
Open from 9.00am to 12.30pm and 2.00pm until 6.00pm
Perfumerie Molinard, 60, Boulevard Victor Hugo, 06130 Grasse.
Tel: 04 92 42 33 11
Email: tourisme@molinard.com
Website: www.molinard.com
Perfumerie Fragonard
The Fragonard perfumery has been at the heart of Grasse since 1926 and is housed in one of the oldest factories. Various laboratories, distilleries and workshops allow you to discover the different steps in creating perfume.
Fragonard’s museum also displays an exceptional collection of rare perfuser objects covering 500 years of history. On the Route de Cannes, ‘La Fabrique des Fleurs’, a second, more modern factory dedicated to making perfumery, soap making and aromatic products, is surrounded by a charming garden whose essence from the flowers are used in making perfume.
Open from 9.00am to 12.30pm and 2.00pm until 6.00pm
Fragonard Grasse, 20 Boulevard Fragonard. 06130 Grasse.
Tel: 04 93 36 44 65
Email: tourisme@fragonard.com
‘La Fabrique de Fleurs’, Route de Cannes – Les Quatre Chemins, 06130 Grasse.
Tel: 04 93 77 94 30
Office of Tourism
Office de Tourisme,
Palais de Congrès
06130 Grasse
Tel: 04 93 36 66 66
Email: info@grasse.fr
Website: www.grasse.fr