Grasse
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Grasse, in southern Provence, is found 16 km north of Cannes. It was originally best known as a centre for leather tanners, but this gave way to perfume production, for which the town is still famous today.
It is a pleasant and quite sizable town, with an old town holding an excess of medieval buildings, narrow streets, and cafes and restaurants. One particular highlight is the town hall - don't miss the interior courtyard, with its decorative fountain, and the view across the town centre.
There is a daily market in the main arcaded square and there are lovely views from the town.
The Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-Puy is also worth a visit - it contains three paintings by Rubens.
The town has a museum celebrating Art in Provence, and there is also an International Museum of Perfume.
Grasse Perfume
Grasse has had a prospering perfume industry since the end of the 18th century - Grasse is the center of the French perfume industry and is known as the world's perfume capital (la capitale mondiale des parfums). It produces over two-thirds of France's natural aromas (for perfume and for food flavourings). This industry turns over more than 600 million euros a year.
Grasse's particular microclimate encouraged the flower farming industry. It is warm and far enough inland to be sheltered from the sea air. There is an abundance of water thanks to its situation in the hills, and the 1860 construction of the Siagne canal for irrigation purposes. The town is 350 m above sea level and 20 km from the Coast (Côte d'Azur).
Jasmine, a key ingredient of many perfumes, was brought to the South of France by the Moors in the 16th century. Twenty-seven tonnes of jasmine are now harvested in Grasse every year.
general views of Grasse (photos kindly contributed by Valerie Willis)
There is an annual Fête du Jasmin in Grasse at the beginning of August. The first festival was on the 3 August–4 August 1946. These days, it is a big event; decorated floats drive through the town, with young women in skimpy costumes onboard throwing flowers onto the crowds. This is known as the "flower battle", and everyone gets soaked by the natural perfume of the flowers. There are also fireworks, free parties, folk music groups and street performers.
(Copyright note: the 'perfume' text above is made available under the GNU Free Documentation License)
Grasse: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Or visit Provence gites Other holiday / vacation options Holiday villages in Provence France camping holidays See Visit Grasse for places to visit near Grasse including: - a detailed map - villages in bloom - most beautiful villages Grasse property for sale See Provence property for sale for available properties for sale and a property search |
Tourist Classifications for Grasse
- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
- approved Station Classée (resort paying particular attention to facilities for tourism)
Places to visit near Grasse
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Grasse.
Some places to visit within 30 km of Grasse are shown below (if found).
Antibes Riviera town at 24 km Biot attractive town at 19 km Cagnes-sur-Mer Village and Chateau Grimaldi at 25 km Cannes Important Riviera resort at 15 km Cap Esterel Holiday village at 26 km Frejus Coastal town at 32 km Gourdon Most beautiful village at 9 km Juan-les-Pins Beach resort at 23 km Saint-Paul-de-Vence Popular hilltop village at 22 km Saint-Raphael French Riviera resort at 31 km Vence Attractive town at 22 km
See also Grasse (version Francais)
Airports near Grasse
Nice airport at 32 km Toulon airport at 105 km
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Map of Grasse, France |