I expect you’ve heard of Grasse, the capital of perfume? The town’s name inevitably brings to mind the world of scents and flowers. But it is not only your sense of smell that will be bewitched by Grasse, for there is also much to see, hear, taste and touch. To visit Grasse is to embark on a true sensory journey which will transport you to a magical place.
Grasse is, without a doubt, the perfume capital of the world. Symbolic flowers such as cabbage roses, jasmine, tuberoses and Madonna lilies are grown here. The incomparable scent of these blooms is due to the climate and to the talent of the region’s growers. Did you know, for example, that the famous perfume Chanel No. 5 is created using roses and jasmine from the Grasse area? The town’s numerous factories (Galimard, Fragonard, Molinard, etc.) will enable you to gain an understanding of the long process behind the development of these products.
In Grasse, visitors can sample the gastronomic specialities of the region and the local Grasse area. Allow yourself to be tempted by a fougassette: a type of sweet bread flavoured with olive oil and orange blossom water. What a treat!
Grasse is a medieval city which has managed to retain its authenticity. As a result, you will find here the houses of illustrious families who once lived in the town. A few minutes from Grasse, in the Cave of Saint-Cézaire, you can marvel at imposing stalactites and underground rivers. In August, you will be dazzled by the colours of the procession of floral floats during the Jasmine Festival.
A visit to Grasse is also about rediscovering some of the simpler opportunities afforded by nature: listening to the tuneful melody of birds singing or being soothed by a chorus of cicadas or the rippling of the river. Take a walk along the Siagne and you will be able to enjoy all of these restful sounds with the backdrop of an unforgettable natural landscape. Another side to the Côte d’Azur!
Picking a rose at sunrise, wading through a fast-flowing stream or simply enjoying the sun from a café terrace are just some of the ways to complete your sensory journey through this captivating town in style.
