GRASSE
Grasse is situated about 20 km from the coast in the hills, 350 m above sea level and the city has close to 50.000 inhabitants.
It takes about 1 hour by car or train from Nice.
Grasse is the centre of the French perfume industry and is known as the world’s perfume capital. Many “noses” are trained or have spent time in Grasse to distinguish over 2,000 kinds of scent.
Grasse’s particular microclimate encouraged the flower farming industry. It is warm and sufficiently inland to be sheltered from the sea air. There is an abundance of water, thanks to its location in the hills.
It’s easy to take the train from Nice to Grasse. The journey is beautiful along the coast to Cannes and then up in the mountains.
It takes a little bit more than 1 hour.
However, arriving in Grasse, it takes about 30 minutes to walk up the stairs to the old city.
I’m not so impressed by the village, it’s dark and dirty compared to many other old villages in the area but with many nice shops and restaurants.




Nice to visit

Grasse Cathedral
6 Pl. du Petit Puy, Grasse,
The old cathedral is a 12th-century Roman Catholic church.

Le Parfumoir de Grasse
14 Rue Marcel Journet, Grasse
A small, independant perfume shop with a very nice lady taking good care of us.

L’Arrosoire
6 Rue des Moulinets, Grasse
A very nice little restaurant hidden in a small alley. They are serving natural and fresh homemade food. They only work with local producers and also sell their products in place.
I like – off the tourist streets
Fragonard Perfumery
20 Boulevard Fragonard, Grasse
Fragonard Perfumery is based in one of the oldest perfume-manufacturing factories from around the year 1800 in the centre of Grasse.
The visit is free and the guides are very professional and tells interesting things about the history and manufacturing of perfume; e.g it takes 3,5 tonnes of rose petals to produce 1 liter of perfume, there are 2000 kinds of scent and there are only 50 professional “noses” in the world.
Maison Fragonard is a 100% family owned French perfume house, today managed by three great-granddaughters.
St. Donat
270 Route de Cannes, Grasse
Situated between Cannes and Grasse and about 40 min. drive from the centre of Nice. Nice diversified landscape. Holes 11 to 15 are going up and down and are rather challenging. It is well maintained even during tough weather conditions. It’s a busy course so count on close to 4h30 to make the 18 holes. The restaurant has a sunny and nice terrasse with a view over hole 9 and 10 and the lake.
Greenfee 72 euros if booking online (85 euros full price).
Ambiance and service – nice
Quality and maintenance – very nice
Price/quality -nice
Nice to play – nice
I like – the cute little palm tree indicating the 135 metres to the green.

Nice restaurants

Grasse Cathedral
6 Pl. du Petit Puy, Grasse,
The old cathedral is a 12th-century Roman Catholic church.

Le Parfumoir de Grasse
14 Rue Marcel Journet, Grasse
A small, independant perfume shop with a very nice lady taking good care of us.

L’Arrosoire
6 Rue des Moulinets, Grasse
A very nice little restaurant hidden in a small alley. They are serving natural and fresh homemade food. They only work with local producers and also sell their products in place.
I like – off the tourist streets