Visit the Cote d’Azur’s Stunning town of Grasse
The town of Grasse is nestled on the Cote d’Azur, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with its luminous light and the stunning, dramatic Alpes d’Azur looming above the Mediterranean. Coastal and cliff-edge roads called corniches zigzag through perched outcrops and small villages all along the stunning Cote d’Azur.
Two of the things you notice about Grasse and its neighbourhood are the beautiful flowers and the wonderful scent in the air. Fields of roses and other flowers that grow in this region are very important for the perfume and food flavouring industry all based in this hillside town. They claim it is the most fragrant town in France, and it certainly produces nearly a third of all of France’s natural aromas. There are forty or so manufacturers, some such as Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard, are open to the public. Tours will take you through the steps of production, including those special people called nez (nose), whose refined sense of smell is used to work the magic of blending. They are actually trained to distinguish between up to 2000 different scents.
The Musée International de la Parfumerie traces 400 years of perfume-making history. On its rooftop conservatory the air is a heady aroma of lavender, mint, thyme and jasmine. Unlike many chemical based perfumes, Grasse uses only natural raw materials
Grasse also has a great cathedral, the stunning 11th century Cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Puy, which houses lovely paintings by the great artist Rubens. Also worth visiting is the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence, full of period furniture ceramics and assorted artefacts.
Grasse has an interesting past and was awarded Ville d’Art et d’Historie, (town of art and history) for its special culture and history, evident in its buildings.
Grasse boasts a fabulously remote location; you can sit and do absolutely nothing, or explore the town and local villages. On the other hand you can catch a train to Nice, so it is easy to spread out and see surrounding areas. Here are a couple of suggestions for great places to rent in this area provided by Vintage Travel.
La Ginestière is a chic, Provençal-style bungalow decorated outside and in with lovely warm colours, and set in a wooded residential area. This pretty bungalow sleeps 4 in two double bedrooms. The accommodation is situated close to local village amenities and has an attractive private pool.
L’Arcadie is an absolutely great house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a big pool on a spacious terrace. The interior of the property is fantastic and the views across the terrace are stunning. There is private parking and even a games room in the basement of this fabulous house near Grasse.