Grasse, Provence - a travel guide
Visit Grasse gites : Grasse hotels : car hire | Explore Provence
Grasse, in southern Provence, is found 16 km north of Cannes. It is famous world over for its perfume production.
Grasse is a pleasant town, with the usual excess of medieval buildings, narrow streets, and cafes and restaurants. There is a daily market in the main arcaded square and there are lovely views from the town.
The cathedral is also worth a visit,
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.
There is an annual Fête du Jasmin 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.
Grasse: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Map of Grasse, France |
A selection of holiday rentals & gites, Grasse
See a full selection of holidays at the Gites in France listings
Chateau and Residence Le Cannet Le Canet Studio 2p: sleeps: 2: See property details
Poutaouchoun: sleeps: 8: See property details
la Glycine: sleeps: 8: See property details
Les Iris: sleeps: 8: See property details
La Belle Bleue: sleeps: 2: See property details
Le Val Fleuri 2 ST22RJ: sleeps: 2: See property details
Domaine de Respelido Lou Pountis: sleeps: 2: See property details
Les Chênes Blancs: sleeps: 11: See property details
La Gardette: sleeps: 8: See property details
Villa Oasis: sleeps: 6: See property details
Mas du Puits: sleeps: 10: See property details
Mas Amelie: sleeps: 8: See property details
Lou Roumeguie: sleeps: 6: See property details
La Serenidad: sleeps: 6: See property details
Villa Fanny: sleeps: 6: See property details
La villa Henri: sleeps: 6: See property details
MIMOSA: sleeps: 10: See property details
Parc St. James Oasis Village: sleeps: 6: See property details
Oasis Village: sleeps: 6: See property details
Mas du Pairois: sleeps: 8: See property details
Rousseau: sleeps: 8: See property details
l'hippocampe: sleeps: 6: See property details
Villa de Merian: sleeps: 6: See property details
Nicou: sleeps: 7: See property details
Loustaou: sleeps: 6: See property details
Residence La Palmeraie: sleeps: 6: See property details
Le Petit Venitien/ Le Grand Venitien: sleeps: 4: See property details
Familiepark Douce Quietude: sleeps: 6: See property details
Camping Douce Quietude: sleeps: 6: See property details
La Barraja: sleeps: 6: See property details
Villa Dyan: sleeps: 6: See property details
Vakantiepark Douce Quietude: sleeps: 6: See property details
Cap Esterel: sleeps: 5: See property details
Places to visit nearby
- Entrevaux village
- Frejus Provence, coastal town
- Gourdon, Provence Most beautiful village
- Grasse Place
- Seillans, Provence Most beautiful village
Any places listed above are within about 20 km of Grasse, France.
Photos of Grasse, France
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(Copyright note: the 'perfume' text above is made available under the GNU Free Documentation License)
