Grasse is a hilltop town in Provence, in the south of France, and it is widely known as the world's perfume capital. Its reputation rests on a long tradition of making fragrances, and a visit here is a good way to see how that craft fits into the everyday life of the town.
What to see and do
- Perfume factory tours, which show how scents are made and how raw materials become finished products.
- Fragrant flower fields on the slopes around the town, where the blooms that feed the perfume industry are grown.
- The medieval old town, with its narrow streets and stone houses, makes a pleasant place to wander on foot.
- Views over the French Riviera, which open out from the high points of the town.
The visit
Grasse suits a slow day rather than a rushed one. Plan a morning in the old town, a tour of a perfume workshop, and time to look out over the coast in the afternoon. Because the town sits on a hill, expect some climbing between its streets and squares, and wear comfortable shoes.
Visitors who enjoy scent, gardens, or old Provençal towns will find much to like here. The surrounding flower fields and the views give the trip a setting that matches the town's character.
