A Day Trip to Grasse | Your Ultimate Guide

If you haven’t heard about Grasse before recently, you’d be forgiven. It is a relatively small, unexplored town on the Côte d’Azure, southern France. It is best known for its linkage to the French perfume trade and has been associated with fragrance for centuries. Nowadays it still upholds this reputation, but a day trip to Grasse has so much more to offer than just nice smells. You have historic Provençal buildings and squares of course, but also some of the best views in this region of France.

After this ultimate guide I want you to believe that a day trip to Grasse is exactly what you need when you’re visiting the Côte d’Azure. Some people will say (like they did to us) that all there is to see is the perfume factory. I’m here to tell you that they couldn’t be more wrong.

A Day Trip to Grasse | Your Ultimate Guide

Planning Your Trip

Organising a day trip to Grasse is a bit more complicated than it sounds. We were very nearly caught out here, which could have completely ruined our time here. Make sure that you read this next section carefully.

Getting to Grasse

The train line along the Côte d’Azure is actually very straightforward and, dare I say it, reliable. The line runs along the coast and stops at hubs like Monaco and Nice regularly. Grasse is the final station in the direction of Cannes.

Your train will hug the coast, turning inland when you get to Cannes, and will take just over an hour to reach Grasse Station. However, the station is actually far away from the town centre and at the bottom of a steep hill. Near the station you’ll find some steps which seemingly go up to the town – please think before you start the climb. They do not take you all the way.

Instead, I’d recommend going to the nearest bus stop and catching the bus to the city centre (yes, it is a city, even though it is small). There are multiple buses which operate here and it won’t take you long. The only thing you need to prepare yourself for is the sharp bends the bus will navigate with rather imposing drops!

Top Tip: If you are doing multiple day trips during your 72 Hours in Nice or nearby, I’d recommend purchasing a Pass Sudazur for 3 days. This costs €35, but covers all your public transport along the Côte d’Azure and you’ll certainly save money in the long run.

Where to Stay Around Grasse

If Grasse is that day trip you’ve been waiting for, or just one of many, then my recommendation is to stay in Nice. If you read my ultimate guides on the Best Day Trips from Niceor my 72 Hours in Nice you’ll discover that there is so much to see and do both within and around the city. I personally also prefer Nice to Cannes as a base; it is slightly quieter and aren’t as many crowds.

Top Tip: From Nice you can easily merge a day trip to Grasse with a day trip to Antibes, a cute little town not so far away.

The Best Things to do in Grasse

So this is the part where I want to celebrate Grasse a bit. When we arrived at Nice we spoke to some locals at our hotel as we always do. We said that we were incredibly interested in visiting Grasse (I had seen some photos online before) and asked their opinion. They responded with a “all that is there is a perfume factory”. I couldn’t quite understand this and researched it a bit more. Weirdly, more people began to say similar things.

We decided that we would visit to see if this was the truth. Thankfully, this information was completely wrong and Grasse is just a lovely little city to walk around and explore. However, I can confirm that perfume is easily the most significant part of this trip.

Here are my top recommendations.

1. Explore Grasse’s old town

The first thing you’ll do when disembarking the bus up the hill is explore the historic centre of Grasse. You’ll likely start in the Place du Cours Honore-Cresp. This is a large town square with one of the best views in the town. You’re right at the top of the hill here and the seemingly-sheer drop at the edge of the square looks down across the valleys. It is easily one of my favourite sights along the Côte d’Azure, and one few come to see.

From here it is a very short walk to the old cobbled streets of the old town. What I loved here was the high buildings which lined the narrow streets. Whilst I know it is France, the feel is almost Italian. In fact, I think anyone would forgive you for thinking you had teleported to Siena.

Top Tip: Grasse’s old town is also the perfect place to find boutiques and cafés. On that note, we visited a great find called Café Fleur. The drinks were mostly made on-site, and any which weren’t were from the very local area. The attention to detail with decorating the glasses with little flowers was also impressive, as was the location (right by an old church) and the service. Definitely one to go to.

2. Visit Notre-Dame-de-Puy (Cathedral)

Aside from the perfumeries and links to this trade, the most important building in Grasse is probably the Notre-Dame-du-Puy de Grasse. It dates back to the 12th Century and has a really distinctive Romanesque appearance. It used to be the cathedral of the city, but this changed in 1801 where it became a parish church.

What I found most interesting though is that, unlike many other European cathedrals, this one is tucked out of the way. It is certainly impressive, but it almost is as if they’ve tried to hide it too. In that way it is similar to Siena or northern Italy where the old towns feel more like a maze with large, grand buildings are hidden unless they are on a square.

Inside the cathedral boasts several important artworks, including paintings which are associated with Peter Paul Rubens, the famed Renaissance painter.

Top Tip: Just around the cathedral is yet another splendid view across the valley. Make sure you don’t miss it.

3. Visit the Musée International de la Parfumerie

If you want to see a museum in Grasse, make it this one. The collection here is truly enormous and it holds around 57,000 objects all related to the history of fragrance. It begins in ancient times and then walks through how the perfume industry evolved.

Inside the museum, you’ll learn about the techniques and tricks used to bring these perfumes to life. As well as this, the museum explores the different plants which were coveted by the perfume trade and looks at other ingredients. Perhaps the most important part though is why Grasse – a small city – became so important to the business.

Tickets to the museum cost €6 for an adult or €3 for a child. Its opening hours are also seasonal, the details for which can be found on the official website.

4. Visit a historic perfume house

You can’t visit Grasse without experiencing one of its famous perfume houses. The big three are Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard.

Each of these places has their own museum and run various workshops throughout the day. Every one offers free tours and admission to the museum too and each one has their own little quirks and extras.

Perhaps the most famous one is Fragonard, which even has its own perfume museum, as well as other museums dedicated to Provençal costumes and fashion. The location of it is highly convenient: it is not far from the old town and is close to the International Museum I mentioned above. This one is more hands-on and you can also can get a free tour of the perfume house

How to make your own perfume

If you’re visiting any of the museums mentioned above you can create your own perfume during a workshop. These cost anywhere from €30 to €75 per person and are typically around an hour. We had a great time visiting Fragonard, but found it hard to book a slot in advance – they do fill up quickly! It was however easily one of our favourite things which we did in Grasse.

5. Visit Perfume Shops

If you don’t have time to visit a workshop or a museum, do not worry. There are plenty of other perfume shops dotted around the city. In fact, you’ll find more than just perfume. Anything with fragrance in from soaps, candles and shower products can all be found here. I’d argue that it is one of the best places nearby to stock up on unique and interesting souvenirs. Of course, you have the larger perfume shops too if you wanted something a little bit special.

6. Visit the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence

The Provence Museum of Art and History is a perfect alternative for people who are not interested in perfume.

The first thing I’m going to suggest will interest you is the large 18th Century mansion which the museum is housed in, whereas the second is the museum itself. Inside you’ll see exhibits which explore the life of people who grew up in eastern Provence, as well as the art, furniture and archaeology which made up their culture.

If you’re interested in the (actually very intriguing) history of this area of France, this is a must-see. It is also excellent value – full admission is only €2!

7. Discover the Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard

You’ll recognise the Fragonard name in the title, but I’m not actually taking you to the perfumery. I’m taking you to the historic home of the Fragonard family.

The Fragonard family was known for its art and is not actually connected to the perfumery. In fact, this was opened by Eugene Fuchs who named his company after the famous painter who had lived in Grasse.

With this in mind, the museum focusses on the family and doesn’t touch upon perfume much. It is an elegant mansion which is just lovely to walk around and explore – it is genuinely very beautiful.

Once again, entrance is just €2, which is a bit of a bargain!

8. Visit the Jardins du Musée International de la Parfumerie

I know what you’re thinking – haven’t we already spoken about the International Perfume museum? We have, but these gardens are not actually near it. Whilst the museum is in the centre of the city, the gardens are on the outskirts.

This is a gorgeous large garden, spanning almost 7 acres. Inside you can find over 400 species of plants, mostly those associated with the perfume industry in the city. If you want to know where these plants come from, or simply want to enjoy the sunshine, this is an amazing place to visit in Grasse.

Entrance is €4, but is half price if you have been to the International Museum listed above.

A Suggested Grasse Day Trip Itinerary

We’ve spoken about the best things to do in Grasse, now is how to break it down into a day trip to the city.

This is my suggested itinerary, but as always feel free to chop and change it how you wish.

Early Morning: Explore the old town

Start your trip by heading up to the old town. As I’ve written above, catch the bus from the train station as it will save you time and (a lot of) effort. I also quite enjoyed my bus journey up to be honest.

When you arrive, begin exploring the old town. This is the perfect time to visit the cathedral or to stop at Café Fleur which I mentioned earlier. If you wanted to buy any souvenirs at some of the major perfume shops; they can get rather busy.

Late morning: Discover the world of perfume

Speaking of perfume, I’d now head to the International Perfume Museum. This is probably the busiest place in Grasse and getting here earlier is definitely recommended. I’d allow around 1-2 hours for this part.

Alternatively – head to either the Art and History of Provence Museum or the Fragonard Villa. Each one will take the same length of time. If you’re speedy, you may be able to fit a couple of these options in!

Lunch: Enjoy Provençal food

As you’re in the old town, I’d stop for some lunch. Some of my favourite French dishes are Provençal and many of the most authentic, best restaurants are in the old town.

Le Tannerie or Roses et Mets are two very good options which we enjoyed.

Afternoon: Perfume experience

I’d spend the afternoon in a perfume house. However, make sure that you have booked this in advance as otherwise you’ll find it difficult to do so. These last around an hour or so, which could leave you time to head down to the International Museum’s gardens.

Late afternoon: Views and Head Back

Before leaving Grasse, make sure that you have seen the views. You probably have seen them already (they are hard to miss), but enjoying these in the afternoon heat with a cold drink is extra special.

Then, head back to your base via the train.

FAQs

Is Grasse worth visiting?

This is the big one. Contrary to the opinions of our hotel staff, I think Grasse is definitely worth the trip. It is easily one of the prettiest cities in Provence and there is a fair amount to offer. Even if you don’t want to explore perfume, there is still plenty to do and opportunities to relax. It is exactly what you want from a Provençal old town.

So, is Grasse worth visiting? Absolutely.

How long do you need in Grasse?

Whilst I love this city, a day trip to Grasse is more than enough. You could even squeeze this into a half-day trip if you wanted too, but that would be pushing it and you wouldn’t see all that there is on offer.

To answer the question, you probably need at least 6 hours or so in Grasse to get a feel for the place. If you can do the full day, even better.

When is the best time to visit Grasse?

The best time to visit Grasse is the spring. This is because many of the flowers used in the perfume industry will be out. I also like summer as you still get the flowers, but it can become busy and temperatures are high.

Is Grasse good for families?

Whilst you don’t have beaches or pools, Grasse is a great place to explore with families. In fact, the International Perfume Museum even has a special young visitors’ route which includes more interactive elements including smell and touch.

Final thoughts | A Day Trip to Grasse

A day trip to Grasse is a must-do when you are staying in the Côte d’Azure. It is not so frequently visited compared to other nearby places like Èze, but it will leave you with a charming impression. Don’t make the mistake and think that Grasse is just for perfume. There is so much more to discover and you’ll leave with the memories of one of the best views (and smells!) around.