Grasse

Grasse is a commune in Provence, France. It is known worldwide for its traditional perfume industry.

Understand

Grasse sits on a hill, halfway from the coast of the French Riviera (Cannes and Antibes) and the Alps. The surrounding villages are generally charming and not as crowded as their more famous neighbours on the coast.

Get in

The 4 lane N2285 'penetrante' from the A8 exit 42 (Grasse/Cannes) is the recommended access route. It terminates rather abruptly just before the steep ascent into Grasse on the old N85 (route Napoleon). Fortunately you do not need to go much further to get to the couple of perfumeries which is probably the main reason to visit.

It is also quite possible to take the meandering inland roads from Vence via the Loup Valley and/or Fayence.

You can also get by train from Nice or Cannes to 1 Gare de Grasse (Gasse train station).

From Nice there are frequent buses run every 30 to 40 minutes to Grasse. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hour and costs €1.50. Tickets are for sale on the bus.

From Cannes there are buses to Grasse as well, but less frequent.

See

View of the valley from Grasse

• Route Napoleon
• Views back towards coast
• Auribeau perched village

Perfumeries in Grasse

• 1 Galimard, 73 Route de Cannes, ☏ +33 4 93 09 20 00. The oldest perfumery in France, dating back to 1747. (updated Oct 2018)
• 2 Parfumerie Fragonard - The History Factory, 20 bd Fragonard, ☏ +33 4 93 36 44 65, fax: +33 4 93 36 03 50. (updated Oct 2018)
• 3 Molinard, 60 bd Victor Hugo, ☏ +33 4 93 36 01 62. (updated Oct 2018)

Olive-oil mills

• Moulins de la Brague, 2 rte Châteauneuf Opio, ☏ +33 4 93 77 23 03. (updated Oct 2018)
• Moulin Ste Anne, 9 chem Prés Grasse (on D4 towards Draugignon), ☏ +33 4 92 42 01 70. (updated Oct 2018)

Do

The Grasse area is good for outdoor activities, as well as hiking in the hills it is possible to ride horses, go mountain biking and play golf and tennis.

There are golf courses such as the Golf Country Club de Saint Donat (270 rte Cannes Grasse ☏ +33 4 93 09 76 60), or the Golf du Grande Bastide (761 chem Picholines Châteauneuf ☏ +33 4 93 77 70 08, fax: +33 4 93 77 72 36).

Although most towns have a municipal tennis club these tend to be rather cliquey and not very welcoming to foreigners. The Tennis Club Plaine Le Vignal (268 chem Picholines Châteauneuf ☏ +33 4 93 60 14 20, fax: +33 4 93 60 14 35) is more accommodating to foreigners and also has a pleasant restaurant with a very cheap and basic menu and a swimming pool.

Horse riding - try the Club Hippique de La Brague (chem Ranch 06740 Châteauneuf ☏ +33 4 93 60 16 10, fax: +33 4 97 01 06 44) near the Vignal, the Club Hippique Grasse (168 rte Cannes 06130 Grasse ☏ +33 4 93 70 55 41) between Grasse and Mouans Sartoux, or the Poney Club École Equitation (42 chem Mosquée Grasse ☏ +33 4 93 36 13 23) on the way to Magagnosc

Buy

• Perfume: There's a perfume factory there, where you can find your favorite scent.
• Soap
• Olive oil

Eat

• Auberge St Donat (rte Valbonne (D4), ☏ +33 4 93 60 10 07, fax: +33 4 93 60 09 04. Plascassier - on the roundabout with D104 to Mouans Sartoux). Open for lunch every day and dinner M-Sa. Unpretentious restaurant that provides a bargain at lunch where you have a 4-course fixed menu meal including wine and coffee for €13.50/person. Either reserve or get there at 12:00. 
• La Bastide St Antoine (48 Avenue Henri Dunant, Grasse - access from end of penetrante is signed the trick is to start by heading to Pégomas and away from Grasse!), ☏ +33 4 93 09 16 48, fax: +33 4 93 70 94 95, info@jacques-chibois.com. Two-star Michelin restaurant (and hotel) expensive (€100/person minimum) but well worth splurging on and less well known than the other Michelin restaurants in the area. 

Sleep

• 1 Hôtel la Bellaudière, Hôtel la Bellaudière, 78 Avenue Pierre Ziller, 06130 Grasse (Route de Nice-D2085), ☏ +33 4 93 36 02 57, fax: +33 4 83 33 51 63. Check-in: 14:00. 

Go next

• French Riviera