
Perfume & discovery breaks in the Grasse region:
suggested itineraries from the historic centre

Sabine Nussbaum, your host for an unforgettable stay
Last updated on 22/11/2025
Do you dream of a holiday with a truly unique scent – morning roses, evening jasmine, sun-kissed citrus fruits?
Welcome to the Pays de Grasse, a land of perfume plants, hilltop villages and floral delicacies.
Here, the idea is not to sell you an ‘all-inclusive’ holiday, but to help you put together your own programme, at your own pace, starting from a comfortable apartment in the historic centre of Grasse.
‘I don't offer training courses or tours myself: here you'll find ideas for itineraries and stays, which you can put together yourself by booking directly with the organisers.’
Why choose the Pays de Grasse for a perfume-themed holiday?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The expertise associated with perfume in the Pays de Grasse – the cultivation of perfume plants, the processing of natural raw materials and the art of perfume composition – has been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2018.
In practical terms, this means that you are in a region where:
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flowers (centifolia rose, jasmine, tuberose, mimosa, etc.) play a central role,
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growers, perfumers and artisans perpetuate unique techniques,
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museums, gardens and workshops open their doors to you so you can discover this world.
A stay here is not just about ‘seeing a perfume factory’: it is about immersing yourself in a living craft.
Grasse, world capital of perfume and historic town
Located in the historic centre of Grasse, you are at the heart of:
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medieval streets with colourful façades,
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historic perfume houses,
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the International Perfume Museum,
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restaurants, cafés and small artisan shops.
From here, you can:
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do everything on foot in town (museums, guided tours, workshops),
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easily reach buses to nearby villages,
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access the train station to travel down to the coast (Cannes, Antibes, Nice).
Discover an elegant and comfortable place to stay in the historic centre.
Elegant "pied-à-terre" in the historic centre of Grasse
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The advantages of staying in the heart of the city
Choosing a furnished flat in the historic centre means:
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being just a few minutes' walk from museums and perfume houses,
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being able to easily pop back between visits to relax, work remotely or take a nap,
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enjoying the atmosphere of the old town in the evening (restaurants, squares, events). Pays de Grasse Tourisme
For a weekend, a 3–5 day stay or even a week-long course or training programme, this is the most flexible solution: you are independent and can manage your schedule as you wish.
Discover this charming flat – See amenities, photos and availability.
Who are these holidays designed for?
This type of holiday is ideal if you are:
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a couple looking for a romantic weekend getaway,
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a small or large family who wants to combine fun visits, nature and villages,
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a perfume or natural cosmetics enthusiast,
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an intern or professional on a short training course in Grasse who wants to enjoy the area around their classes,
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a traveller without a car who still wants to explore the surrounding villages and sites.
Tell me about your holiday plans and I'll help you see if the flat meets your needs.
3 great ways to experience a fragrance-filled stay in the Pays de Grasse
The idea behind this page is to give you an overview. Each type of holiday is then described in detail in a dedicated article.
1. A weekend of perfume & hilltop villages
Do you have two or three days to spare?
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Day 1: arrive in Grasse, settle into your apartment, visit a museum or perfume house, and stroll through the historic centre.
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Day 2: tour of hilltop villages and the Gorges du Loup, including Gourdon and the Confiserie Florian for flower and citrus-flavoured sweets.
Detailed programme here:
3 ideas for weekends exploring perfume and hilltop villages around Grasse.
2. A 3- to 5-day stay: perfume, violets & fragrant gardens
Over 3 to 5 days, you can:
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take the time to discover several museums, workshops and fragrant gardens,
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spend a day in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, the city of violets,
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visit the Gardens of the International Perfume Museum in Mouans-Sartoux, dedicated to perfume plants.
Detailed itinerary:
3 to 5-day stay: perfume, violets and fragrant gardens around Grasse.
3. A week without a car: perfume, villages & delicacies
No car? No problem.
From Grasse, you can plan a whole week using:
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buses and trains to reach villages and sites (Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Pont du Loup, Mouans-Sartoux, etc.), Please note, this varies depending on the season.
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activities offered by the Pays de Grasse Tourist Office (guided tours, exclusive events, etc.).
Day-by-day ideas:
A week in the Pays de Grasse without a car: perfume, villages and gourmet delights.
Perfume, cosmetics & discoveries: what can you do there?
Visits and workshops on perfumery
In Grasse, you can:
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visit the International Perfume Museum to learn about the history of perfume,
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discover historic perfume houses and their workshops,
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take part in workshops to create your own perfume (discovery format).
To go further:
Discover perfumery in Grasse: museums, workshops & gardens
Cosmetics and natural care workshops
If you are interested in natural skincare, you will also find workshops on:
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making your own balms, creams or oils,
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discovering the properties of essential oils,
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combining wellbeing, local plants and simple everyday gestures.
Focus on cosmetics activities:
Cosmetics & natural skincare workshops around Grasse.
Villages, gardens, confectionery and delicacies
Around Grasse, you can round off your stay with:
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hilltop villages such as Gourdon and Tourrettes-sur-Loup,
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a visit to the MIP Gardens in Mouans-Sartoux,
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gourmet tours such as the Florian Confectionery in Pont du Loup,
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flower and citrus-based products (jams, chocolates, confectionery, drinks).
Focus on each location:
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[LINK ARTICLE C1 – Visit Gourdon from Grasse]
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[LINK ARTICLE C2 – Tourrettes-sur-Loup: city of violets & artisans]
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[LINK TO ARTICLE C3 – Confiserie Florian at Pont du Loup]
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[LINK TO ARTICLE C4 – Gardens of the International Perfume Museum in Mouans-Sartoux]
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[LINK TO ARTICLE G1 – Flowers, citrus fruits & delicacies: when Grasse can also be enjoyed on your plate]
How to organise your stay in practical terms?
Choose your dates according to the seasons and flowering periods
The Pays de Grasse can be visited all year round, but the atmosphere changes:
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Spring (April–June): ideal time for flowering (May roses, later jasmine), mild temperatures.
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Summer: long days, events, but hotter and busier.
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Autumn/winter: quieter, perfect for a training course or teleworking in the sun, with often lower prices.
Always check opening dates and schedules on official websites (museums, gardens, Tourist Office).
Book your accommodation in Grasse
Once you have defined your scope of activities (perfume, villages, gardens, delicacies, training courses), the first step is to secure your cosy accommodation in the historic centre.
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Choose your dates,
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check the apartment's availability,
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and specify whether you are coming as a couple, with your family, or for training/work.
See availability and terms of stay.
Ask a question or request a customised stay (from 2 nights to several weeks).
Contact workshop and tour organisers
For guided tours, workshops and training courses, please book directly with the relevant organisations:
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Pays de Grasse Tourist Office (guided tours, exclusive events),
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museums and gardens,
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perfume houses,
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training organisations.
Important reminder:
‘I do not offer training courses or tours myself: here you will find ideas for itineraries and stays, which you can put together yourself by booking directly with the organisers.’
Useful resources to help you prepare for your stay in Paris
To complete this page, you can consult:
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My article: ‘Discover perfumery in Grasse’.
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My article: ‘3 weekends of perfume & hilltop villages’.
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My article: ‘3 to 5-day stay of perfume & gardens’.
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My article: ‘Car-free week in the Pays de Grasse’.
And of course, if you have a specific project in mind (long internship, professional stay, family trip, etc.), you can ask your questions directly:
Tell me about your perfume holiday project in the Pays de Grasse.






