UNESCO perfumeries, hilltop villages, paragliding facing the Mediterranean, and canyoning in the Gorges du Loup. The field guide created by outdoor professionals who live in the Grass pays for 19 years.
UNESCO · Pays grassoisGrasse is known as the world's perfume capital, but to reduce this town in the Alpes-Maritimes to its perfumeries would be to miss the point. 17 km from Cannes and 40 km from Nice, this destination on the Côte d'Azur offers much more than just a scented visit.
Provençal heritage, hilltop villages and outdoor activities in a spectacular hinterland: visit the International Perfume Museum, create your own fragrance, stroll through the old medieval quarter, explore the Gorges du Loup canyoning or take to the skies paragliding in Grasse from the ridges of Cheiron at Gréolières.
Who is it for? Families with children (perfume and paragliding workshops from age 6), couples on a romantic getaway, groups of friends seeking thrills.
How long? One day for the essentials, two days to add hilltop villages and outdoor activities.
Grasse owes its title of world perfume capital to a history dating back to the 16th century. Today, visiting perfumeries remains the essential activity, with three complementary ways to discover this universe: museum, free tours, and creation workshops.
Le MIP Retrace 4,000 years of history through ancient flasks, stills, raw materials and workshop reconstructions. 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
7 km from the centre, the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity Gardens featuring jasmine, May rose, tuberose and lavender. Admission included. Best visited from May to September.
Full price €6, free on the 1st Sunday of the month. Closed Tuesdays.
The three major historic perfumeries They offer free guided tours of their factories and museums. Each has its own personality.
Fragonard 19th-century factory, 20-minute tour, XXL shop. Molinard Listed Provençal farmhouse, bottle museum. Galimard the oldest (1747), preserved historic setting.
Duration 30-45 mins/house. Extraction techniques explained (enfleurage, distillation).
The most memorable experience: guided by a «professional nose, you compose your fragrance from dozens of essences.
Molinard «Tarinology» 1h30 ~€55. Workshop «Little Perfumer» From age 6. Galimard «Studio of Fragrances» 2 hours ~ €60.
You take your personalised bottle home with you. The perfect family activity or a unique gift.
This is where Grasse distinguishes itself from other cultural destinations on the Côte d'Azur. Less than 30 minutes from the town centre, the hinterland offers an exceptional playground — activities that classic tourist guides rarely mention.
À 25 km from Grasse, the site of Gréolières is one of the most renowned spots in the 06. Take-off at 1 800 m overlooking the Mercantour and the Mediterranean. Three options: Ascending flight best-seller (20-30 min), Prestige flight (45-60 mins, HD video).
No experience necessary., from 6 years and up to 95 kg. DEJEPS instructor pilots the flight. Video option available.
Choosing my baptism
À 15 km from Grassethe Gorges du Loup They are the most accessible canyoning spots. Aquatic walk, jumps (optional 2-8m), natural slides and abseils in a setting of waterfalls and turquoise pools.
Route 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, available from 10 years For good swimmers. Wetsuit, helmet and harness provided.
Discover our canyons
Trail ruts at all levels: the Path of the Loup Gorges (1h30 easy), the Caussols tray (lunar landscape at 1,100 m), and the Balcony of the Côte d'Azur since Gréolières-les-Neiges.
360° panoramas of the Alps and Mediterranean. Ideal seasons: spring and autumn for the light and moderate crowds.
All our sitesFor those who want to combine the two flagship experiences of the Grasse region, the paragliding and canyoning combo is a unique itinerary. Fly out in the morning from Gréolières, then head down the Gorges du Loup in the afternoon.
Want to learn to fly? Our Paragliding school Nice Offers internships for all levels, 40 minutes from Grasse.
£190 per person · Full day · Photos included · From 5 people.
Book the comboThe old quarter of Grasse is best discovered on foot, climbing from the Place aux Aires up to the cathedral. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, more if you enjoy taking photos or stopping at a cafe terrace. With its medieval layout, narrow alleyways, and ochre and pastel facades, the atmosphere is authentically Provençal.
Narrow alleyways, vaulted passageways, stone staircases and facades in ochre and pastel colours. The historic centre has retained its medieval layout, far from the hustle and bustle of the coast.
La Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral (XIIth century) houses three paintings by Rubens and a rare triptych by Louis Bréa. Free entry, cool inside in summer.
La place aux Aires, The living heart of the old town with its 18th-century fountain. Provençal market every morning except Monday: flowers, fruit, cheeses, olives.
Le Museum of Art and History of Provence (18th-century townhouse) and the Villa-Museum Fragonard free entry for both.
This esplanade at the top of the old town offers an exceptional panorama of the Grasse plain, the hills, and on a clear day the Mediterranean in the distance.
The Morning sessions (Saturday): Local farmers' market. In August, the famous Jasmine water 3 days of festivities celebrating the iconic flower.
Grasse and the surrounding area are ideal for family outings. From fun workshops to outdoor activities and child-friendly discoveries, here's how to organise a full family day out in Grasse.
The workshop «Petit Parfumeur» at Molinard welcomes children from 6 years old for a one-hour introduction. They discover the raw materials, recognise the olfactory families, and leave with their own creation.
Ideal for children aged 6-12: fun for them, educational for parents. Booking advised during the school holidays.
Pitchoun Forest (Mouans-Sartoux, 10 mins): Adventure park suitable for ages 3 and up, with progressive levels up to adult courses. Half-day stay.
Valmasque Park (Mougins-Valbonne): Large natural area, easy trails, picnic spots. Free and ideal for a nature break.
Tandem paragliding from age 6 Children generally love it, often being less apprehensive than adults. Discovery flights of 15-20 minutes are adapted to their attention span.
Canyoning From 10 years old for the Loup canyon, jumps always optional, pace adapted to the group by the instructors.
The Grasse region is home to some of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Provence. Less than 20 minutes from the town centre, these destinations are perfect for extending your getaway. Unlike the overcrowded coastal villages, those inland have retained their Provençal character.
Gourdon hang yourself 760 m On a rocky spur overlooking the Gorges du Loup. A plunging view over the valley and coastline, striking at sunset.
Cobbled streets, a medieval castle (Le Nôtre gardens), restaurants with panoramic terraces. Also a launch site paragliding in Gourdon.
Less touristy than Gourdon, this medieval village is the natural entrance to the Gorges du Loup. Sweet shops (candied violets, candied oranges), 15th-century church with a remarkable Danse Macabre.
Ideal starting point for hiking along the gorges, swimming in the rock pools in summer, a base for canyoning. Pont du Loup, spectacular waterfall, 5 mins away.
Cabris (10 min): View to the sea, castle ruins. Nearby, the Monts d'Azur Reserve They house bison and Przewalski's horses.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup (15 min) : «Violet Village», festival in March. Saint-Paul-de-Vence (25 min) : Maeght Foundation, intact ramparts. Visit early in the morning.
The 4 best-selling packages for experiencing the Grasse region’s outdoor activities. Transparent pricing from €55, for ages 6 and over, supervised by DEJEPS-qualified instructors on a 1:1 basis (25 mins from Grasse).
Grasse can easily be explored in one to two days. Here are some typical itineraries to make the most of the town and the Grasse region, whatever the season.
La best time. Ideal temperatures, fields of flowers in bloom, moderate crowds. Paragliding and canyoning are top-notch.
Perfect for the canyoning (Welcome Eau Fraîche). Peak crowds in perfume shops: visits Mid-morning or late afternoon.
Exceptional light, flight conditions Optimal for paragliding, grape harvest in the hinterland. Crowd falling.
Cultural visits all season. Paragliding Weather permitting, Canyoning closed (water too cold). Skiing in Gréolières-les-Neiges.
Morning Perfume shop visit + creation workshop. Lunch space for the Aires (market atmosphere). Afternoon old town and museums. Sunset at the Cours Honoré Cresp.
Morning : first paragliding experience Canyoning in the Gorges du Loup. Lunch 1-bedroom flat with sea views. Afternoon Bar-sur-Loup and Pont du Loup, return via Tourrettes.
Combine a morning in Grasse, lunch at Gourdon, then a descent through the Gorges du Loup with a stop at the Saut du Loup. Everything is less than an hour's drive away.
A paragliding or canyoning gift voucher a memorable way to offer an experience in the Grasse region.
Valid one, customisable, sent immediately by email. For a birthday, a hen do, a EVG, or simply to please. Any questions? Contact us.
Order a gift voucherAccess, weather, perfumeries, ages, restaurants, paragliding: everything you need to know before coming to Grasse.
The Perfumeries and museums make the ideal programme for bad weather: International Perfume Museum, free guided tours of Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard, creative workshops - everything takes place indoors.
Le Museum of Art and History of Provence and the Villa Fragonard complete the offer. Allow a full day to see everything.
Yes, guided tours Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard factories and museums are entirely free, with no obligation to buy. Only the Creative workshops perfume samples are chargeable (50 to 65 € depending on the houses).
Le International Perfume Museum It's paid (€6) but free on the first Sunday of the month.
Yes, the site of Gréolières allows flying almost all year round thanks to its altitude and exposure. The ideal season runs from'April to October, with favourable thermal conditions.
In winter, flights remain possible depending on the weather. Confirmation the evening before at 8pm by SMS, report without charge in case of adverse weather.
Absolutely. From Nice (40 mins) or Cannes (17 mins), Grasse represents a Ideal day trip To escape the seaside atmosphere. The town offers a complete contrast: Provençal authenticity, the freshness of the hinterland in summer, and unique experiences (perfume creation, perched villages).
If you are staying on the coast for more than three days, a day in the Grasse region is a must.
La place aux Aires features several restaurants with terraces, a Provençal market atmosphere. For an exceptional view, go up to Gourdon (15 min) where several tables offer a panoramic view of the coast.
Average budget £15-£25 for lunch, £30-£45 for dinner. In summer, prioritise reservations for restaurants with a view.
Tandem paragliding baptism accessible from 4 years (minimum weight 25 kg). Children's flights are suitable: shorter duration, gentler sensations.
Canyoning in the Gorges du Loup accessible from age 10 For good swimmers, with jumps always optional.
4 reasons why Grasse is the must-do excursion from the French Riviera.
5 centuries of expertise. 3 historic houses (Fragonard, Molinard, Galimard) free tours. Perfume creation workshop from age 6: the most memorable experience.
Day trip ideal from the French Riviera. Authentic contrast with the seaside atmosphere: freshness of the hinterland, medieval old town, Provençal alleys.
Perfume shop in the morning, paragliding in Gréolières Or canyoning Gorges du Loup in the afternoon. A wetsuit unique in France which few destinations offer.
Gourdon (Most Beautiful Villages of France), Bar-sur-Loup, Cabris, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The Grasse hinterland in all its diversity.
