Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, has been a popular tourist town for several centuries, with the smell of flowers and clear air. The altitude of the town, from 300-400 m, and the hills behind give Grasse a fresher climate than the beach during the heat of the summer.
The old town is large, old, and extremely interesting. Tiny streets wind forever between the 17th and 18th century buildings, up and down ancient steps, passing through arched tunnels and sometimes opening out onto large squares.
The principal square near the top of the old town is the Place aux Aires. A pretty, three-tiered fountain splashes in the center and arcades line one long side. The nearby shops (butchers, bakers, etc.) are still in business.
Somewhere down in the old village a narrow street comes out onto the Place du Petit Puy and its huge 18th century clock tower. Inside the cathedral are three paintings by Rubens, commissioned from the then-unknown artist in 1601 by the Archduke Albert for the Santa Croce di Gerusalemme in Rome.
There’s also the 1754 painting Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
Also in the Place Godeau is 12th-century “Tour de Guet” (watch tower) at the Mairie, which was the Bishop’s Palace.
Perfume
The French perfume industry began in Grasse in the 16th century.
Walking Tours
An historical walking tour of Grasse (about 90 minutes) has been laid out by the Office de Tourisme. A free map has information about each numbered site, and numbered panels are located at the appropriate points throughout the old town. Optionally, you can rent a portable CD with an audio description of the tour.
Caves, Grottos
In the porous limestone hills north of Grasse there are a number of holes and grottos for visiting or exploring (with the local spelunking clubs).The “Trou du Curé goes down 60 meters, and the Grotte de la Cascade de St. Sauveur has 150 m of cave developed for exploring.
Tourist Office
Tel : 0493 366 666; Fax: 04 93 36 86 36
Web: www.grasse.fr
Email: info@grasse-riviera.com
Dates
Market: Every Sat – Marché, Place aux Herbes
Foires: last Mon. in Feb.; Mondays following St.Marc, St.Michel and St.André
Every April – Grasse-Alpine Auto Rally
Every May – International Rose Festival, for 5 days
Every May – Santo Estello – an annual rendez-vous for protecting the regional languages of langue d’Oc.
Every Aug – Fête du Jamin, for 5 days, with flowered floats
Every Dec – Noël Provençal – animations de rues, foire aux santons, etc.
Video tour of Grasse
Villa Soleil 