Grasse is a place where it feels good to live. Ideally located in the Préalpes d\'Azur, the City\'s unique microclimate combines the Mediterranean\'s warmth with the nearby mountains\' cooler air. Take a breath of fresh air and look at life through rose-tinted glasses in this blooming town where the scent stimulates all.
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Grasse is a place where it feels good to live. Ideally located in the Préalpes d\'Azur, the City\'s unique microclimate combines the Mediterranean\'s warmth with the nearby mountains\' cooler air. Take a breath of fresh air and look at life through rose-tinted glasses in this blooming town where the scent stimulates all.
This Provencal microclimate creates the ideal conditions for growing fragrant flowers such as jasmine, rose, lavender and mimosa. As a result, several local perfume industries have thrived, turning Grasse into one of the finest fragrance destinations in the world. Let yourself be carried away by the different aromas strolling through the city center filled with architectural gems and unique gardens.
An essential visit is the Fragonard Museum and Villa. Housed in a gorgeous 18th-century mansion, the museum displays paintings and offers the opportunity to learn about the history of perfume and its creation process. There is an exhibition of antique bottles, tools and equipment that perfumers used. In addition, visitors can attend a live perfume creation demonstration, from harvesting flowers to scent mixing. Gain some expertise with leaning about extraction and hydraulic distillation methods explained by specialists.
With a mix of Mediterranean and Provencal exotic plants, the Villa\'s gardens are a highlight of the visit. It features several themed gardens, including a rose and a Japanese one.
For the anecdote, five harvests in May are exclusively designed for the world-famous Chanel n°5. This notable collaboration has persisted since 1921.
In the mood to overlook the City? Walking around the sparkling garden in the Villa Fort de France will offer stunning views of Grasse and the French Riviera in the background.
Besides perfume factories and gardens, other places around the town are worth the visit. First, enjoy elegance and refinement in the Provençal Costume and Jewelry Museum. Several private rooms show Provençal women\'s clothes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Admire vintage dresses, lace ornaments, headdresses and more.
Once a 12th-century Roman Catholic church, Notre-Dame du Puy became Grasse\'s cathedral in 1244. Before the diocese was abolished in 1801, it was the seat of the Bishop. One century later, its facades have been renovated. Now, the cathedral hosts a Rubens and Fragonard paintings exhibition. Looking for other entertainment? Riviera Nature, a theme park, is ideal for a little family excursion. The park is full of surprises, particularly for young children. Olfactory surprises are also conceivable at the Place aux Aires market, taking place every day from 8 am to 1 pm in the town center.
Molinard and Galimard are the two other perfume factories around the City. Each of their museums has its distinctive characteristic, likewise their splendid and diversified gardens.
Expo Rose, an international rose exhibition occurring every year is not to be missed!
Since 1970, Grasse has rolled out its rosy carpet during a weekend of May, where rose professionals offer festivities around the queen of flowers, mixing it with the great cinema classics played by artistic companies. Not only is the City adorned with thousands of roses displayed in bouquets, but also hundreds of pink umbrellas are hung in some alleys. While legendary movie scenes are performed in these shiny streets, this poetical realization will raise your eyes.
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