Grasse France might be the sweetest smelling city in Europe, widely known as the perfume capital of the world. Known for its leather tanning work in the Middle Ages, this hilly French town would eventually become the center of the French perfume industry after it began manufacturing perfumed gloves in the 16th century and farming a number of flowers used for fragrances. Grasse still enjoys an international reputation in the perfume industry and is the home of dozens of fragrance companies. Even the flowers used for making the world-famous Chanel NĀ°5 are grown and harvested here.
In addition to the perfume industry, Grasse also provides travelers a break from the crowded Riviera coastal towns and offers a glimpse of the real Riviera away from the tourist route. We spent a full day and night in Grasse and we’ll share what you need to know to plan your own trip to Grasse as well as our own highlights, including the Galimard perfumery workshop where I got to create my own personal perfume!
Table of Contents:
Some Basic Information about Grasse France
Getting there?
Grasse is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France and is part of the inland French Riviera area. It is located about 10.5 miles northwest of Cannes.
Car: Once in Grasse, follow signs for Center-Ville and then locate one of several pay parking garages near the town center. The one closest to the Fragonord perfume tour is at Place du Cours HonrƩ Cresp.
Bus: You can get buses to Grasse from nearby towns, including Cannes and Nice. Once arriving by bus, you will then be a 5-7 minute walk from the main attractions in the Old Town.
Train: Grasse has a train station that connects with many Riviera towns. Once you arrive at the train station, you can take one of the local buses into the town center.
Tourist Information Office
Address: Place de la Buanderie, 06130 Grasse, France
Phone: 04 93 36 66 66
Website: www.grasse.fr (has some good info on attractions, transportation, and car parks)
How much time should I spend in Grasse?
Personally, we enjoyed spending a full day here and staying overnight. However, if you are not very interested in the perfume industry, a half day would be very sufficient to do one of the short perfume tours and do a 1-2 hour stroll through the Old Town. Depending on your itinerary, Grasse can be a good place to combine with a visit to Cannes, other inland Riviera towns, or when heading to Gorges du Loup (the Grand Canyon of France located north of Grasse). There are plenty of scenic drives possible from Grasse as well as nearby interesting caves, such as the Grottes de Saint-CĆ©zaire.
What to do in Grasse France?
Learn about perfume.
Whether you are interested in the history of perfume making, the state of the current fragrance industry, seeing the flower fields, or just buying some good smelling goodies, Grasse has you covered. For the history of perfume head to the MuseƩ International de la Parfumerie (International Museum of Perfume, entrance fee), where exhibits chronicle over 3,000 years of perfume history and you can view their flower garden for an extra fee.
To explore a functioning factory, several of the perfume manufacturers give free guided tours, such as Galimard, Fragonard, and Molinard. The most popular factory tour is the Fragonard Perfumery tour which is the one we chose to do which provides free 25-minute tours regularly throughout the day in several languages. These tours all include an overview of the history of perfume making, an overview of historical and current techniques (with some demonstrations), and a visit to a gift shop where you can purchase fragrance products.
If visiting Grasse in the Spring or Summer, you’ll likely have the option to explore one of the nearby fields or gardens that contain the local flowers (such as roses, jasmine, violet, mimosa, lavender) that made Grasse famous and prosperous in the past. Tours depend on the flowering of the plants, but best bets are Le Domaine de Manon or a visit to the garden associated with the MuseĆ© International de la Parfumerie mentioned above.
Create Your own Perfume
At least three perfumeries offer regular perfume creation workshops to the public in Grasse, Galimard, Fragonard, and Molinard. Here is the situation as of December 2017: Galimard offers a 2 hour perfume workshop where you can create a 100ml (3.3 fl oz) perfume from 127 essences for ā¬53 per person. At Fragonard you can create a 100ml (3.3. fl oz.) perfume from 9 essences in a 1.5 hour workshop for ā¬69. There is also an optional 1 hour factory tour offered afterwards for a total of 2.5 hours. Molinard offers 1 hour perfume workshops where you can create a 50 ml (1.69 fl oz.) fragrance with a choice of 90 essences for ā¬69. Molinard also offers a children’s perfume workshop and a 30-minute express version (no appointment needed) where you can create a 30 ml (1.01 fl oz) perfume from 9 essences for ā¬30. The workshops at all three perfumeries (except for the 30 minute option at Molinard) are given by appointment only. Fragrances can be made for men or women.
When we did this in 2014, only Galimard and Molinard were offering perfume workshops in Grasse. We chose the one at Galimard because it offered (and still does) the best price for the most perfume and the most scent options.
NOTE: If you not planning to visit Grasse, there are other places you can also take perfume workshops in France. Fragonard offers Paris perfume workshops, Molinard offers perfume workshops in Nice and Paris, and Galimard offers perfume workshops in the village of Eze.
The Galimard Perfume Creation Workshop:
The thought of being able to create my own scent was a big factor in why we included Grasse on our itinerary when visiting Provence and the French Riviera. The thought of being able to learn more about how perfumes are constructed and being able to actually create my own was very exciting. Ethan and I don’t buy many souvenirs, partially to save money and partially because we don’t have the room in our luggage, so we generally each try to get one or two things from each trip that will be memorable. On this trip, the custom perfume I created was my souvenir.
Before we left for France, I had booked an appointment online at the Galimard “Le Studio des Fragrances” workshop to create my own perfume. We arrived at the Galimard studio (5, Route de PĆ©gomas) for my 10:00am appointment (Note: the actual perfumery is located nearby but not at the same location as the studio). I was greeted by a woman who might have been the receptionist.
After saying goodbye to Ethan who drove to a cafƩ, I was taken back to be seated at a perfumer desk (also known as a perfume organ). The desk was filled with rows of over 120 color scent bottles with various labels and French names. Many of these bottles also had a male or female symbol on them to denote more feminine or masculine scents.
After being seated, a male perfumer or “nose” (French “le nez”) came over and introduced himself and began to explain the process. He was nice and his English was good, but it was clearly awkward for him as he was clearly a bit out of his element in instructing tourists in the art of perfume making. Noses are a rare and interesting group of people as they study and train for almost as long as someone with a medical degree or PhD, must have exceptional abilities to identify scents, and must refrain from any activity (drinking alcohol, smoking, eating spicy food, etc.) that might interfere with their olfactory abilities. I was the only one with a morning studio appointment that day and was lucky to witness a group of them quietly working in the room next door separated by a wall of glass, they looked like a group of scientists.
Anyway, the nose explained to me that there are 127 possible notes that I could choose from and that over the course of the next 2 hours, I would choose scents for the Peak Note (top note), Heart Note (middle note), and Base Note. After bit of explanation about the various types, or families, of scents, the nose had me smell several perfumes and pick out the two I like the most.
Based on this selection, the nose was able to get a sense of my preferred scent types (I believe mine was a floral and a fruit scent) and then he gave me a group of scents that I could choose from to construct my base scent. I did this by simply smelling each of the selected scents…over and over again, as I often had a hard time narrowing down the choices. Once I chose the scents, I poured the scents directly into a glass beaker to the right measurement and recorded each scent on the provided worksheet. After each note, the “nose” came back over and explained the next note and told me the types of scents I could choose from and how many.
During the process, I was able to test the smell of the in progress perfume using a perfume paper tester, but the fragrance changes with each added scent so it is difficult to tell what it would smell like until the end. Even after all the scents had been added, I was told that I should wait a couple of weeks before wearing it until the finished perfume “really comes together”. My scent has a very floral base and fruity top notes, and I really love the scent.
After I was done they poured the perfume into a bottle, added a custom label with my chosen perfume name, and gave me a personalized certificate. If you really like your scent, they keep the formula and you can order more of it online in the future. The only minor complaint I had about the workshop was that there was much less teaching and interaction with the nose than I had expected. Overall though, It was a unique and really nice experience and I would definitely recommend it to someone interested in creating their own perfume as it makes for a unique and memorable souvenir.
Explore the Old Town of Grasse
If you have visited other ProvenƧal or Riviera towns, you’ve likely stopped at many fixed up and postcard perfect little towns scattered all over the Luberon and CĆ“te d’Azur. However, Grasse offers a refreshingly “more real” look at a French Riviera town. While the perfumery tours are a popular stop on the tourist route, most visitors don’t take the time to investigate the rest of the town and even fewer spend the night in Grasse.
While it is not chock-full of blockbuster attractions, the Old Town in Grasse is a collection of large squares, narrow alleys, medieval ruins, 17th and 18th century buildings, and steep staircases. I would recommend getting a self-guided walking map from a guidebook or the tourist information office and use it to guide your stroll. The main highlights are the Cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Puy which includes paintings inside by Rubens and Fragonard, and some great views of the nearby countryside from various viewpoints such as the Place du Cours and the viewing point behind the cathedral.
Other sights include the HĆ“tel de Ville (current City Hall, former Bishop’s Palace), square Sacaren tower, Monument aux Morts (war memorial), and the Jardin de la Princesse Pauline (garden). For those who have difficulty walking around the hilly Old Town, there is a seasonal tourist train available that goes by many of these attractions.
Take in Some Art and History
In addition to MuseƩ International de la Parfumerie, there are several other little museums in town that might be of interest. While we did not have time to visit any of these museums and none of these are must-see stops, they may make for interesting detours during a walking tour, especially given that many allow free entrance.
For history lovers, the MuseĆ© d’Art et dāHistoire de Provence, houses a collection of exhibits in a 18th century mansion tracing the art and history of eastern Provence, and the small MusĆ©e ProvenƧal du Costume et du Bijou offers an authentic collection of ProvenƧal clothing and jewelry dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. To get a glimpse of some historical local art, check out the Jean-HonorĆ© Fragonard Villa-Museum, which was the home of famous French artist Fragonard and includes many of his works, visit the MusĆ©e Fragonard for a number of paintings by Fragonard as well as works by Marguerite GĆ©rard and Jean-Baptiste Mallet, and don’t forget to take a look inside the Cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Puy for works by Rubens and Fragonard. For those interested in maritime history, MuseĆ© de la Marine traces the life and career of the 18th century Grasse seaman FranƧois-Joseph Paul, including his involvement in the American Revolution, and has 30 model ships on display.
Some Final Thoughts on Grasse France
We had a lovely visit in Grasse, and it stands out in Ethan’s mind as one of the more relaxing stops on our 3-week trip to France in 2012. We both found Grasse’s history and perfume industry interesting and I enjoyed being able to create my own perfume. While in Grasse, I kept thinking about the dark but strangely captivating movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (based the book by Patrick SĆ¼skind) about a murderous creepy perfumer, which includes a scene where the townspeople of Grasse are induced into a crazed orgy by the perfect fragrance.
But aside from the perfume industry, part of the appeal of our stop in Grasse was that it was a welcome break from hot and crowded ProvenƧal hill towns and popular Riviera coastal towns. Ethan and I shopped and got gas at the giant Leclerc, stopped at the local boulangerie, and strolled the early morning alleys of the Old Town of Grasse, virtually alone on a Sunday morning. We stayed in a room we booked online at Airbnb and spent a wonderful evening in Grasse eating and chatting with the lovely French couple who owned the apartment. We may even see this couple again this summer on their own trip to the United States.
Overall, while Grasse is not full of blockbuster sights, I think it is a must-see stop for those interested in perfume, and a good place for a welcome break for others who find themselves in the area.
What do you think? Have you been to Grasse, France or attended a perfume creation workshop? Feel free to ask us any questions below!
Charlene Post author
How do i book a workshop for perfume making in Grasse?
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Charlene,
It depends on which perfume creation classes or perfume making workshop you want to do, as there are a few of them offered in Grasse as noted in the artcile. If you don’t have a specific one in mind, you can book and read review for different perfume workshops and other tours in Grasse here online or here online.
Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have further questions.
Best,
Jessica
Renata De souza Post author
May i ask if you know if Chanel is open for the public to have a perfume tour in Grasse? Thank you
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Renata, No, I don’t think Chanel’s factory or gardens are open to the public in Grasse. However, there are a a few perfumeries that are open to the public for tours as noted. You can see more local tours here and here. Best, Jessica
Tom from Nice Post author
When in Grasse it is worth visiting the beautiful village of Gourdon, which is relatively nearby. Another cool place in the area is the Mougins village, where Pablo Picasso lived. Greetings from Nice!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Tom, I believe we stopped in Gourdon, but not Mougins. I have been to the Picasso house museum in Antibes but I did not know there was also a place to visit in Mougins, we will have to stop there next time we are in the Grasse / Nice area. Thanks for the great suggestions. Best, Jessica
Nadia Post author
Hi.
I would like to visit Grasse France this summer. When is the best month to visit?
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Nadia, I would say May/June or Sept/October – the whole French Riviera area is very busy (and can be hot) in July and August so if you can go another month that would probably be best. But any month is a great time to visit as things will be open and the days are long in the summer. Enjoy your time in Grasse! Best, Jessica
Violy Post author
Hi this is very helpful for me especially that I want to have my own perfume business soon. Just want to ask how and where to book for the workshop at Galimard? thanks in advance.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Violy, Glad that this article was useful to you! To book the same perfume workshop I took, you can call them or book online now, all the information you need is here: http://www.galimard.com/index.php/en/creez-votre-parfum/a-grasse.html Just be sure to book for the workshop in the right location (they have workshop and class options in both Grasse and Eze). If you are interested in a more advanced workshop as someone wanting to create a perfume business they also offer more hand-on advanced masterclasses. Enjoy! Jessica
Cara Post author
Thank you for this article – extremely useful and I will be booking the 2 hour perfume making course – many thanks for taking the time! Cara in Essex, UK
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Cara, Thanks for taking the time to comment and I am glad you found our Grasse guide useful. I hope you have a great time at the perfume making class! Happy travels, Jessica
Sarah Post author
Love this article! I am getting married at a chateau in Grasse this coming summer and am trying to organize a tour for all of our guests coming in from out of town (mostly US). We will be staying at the chateau in Grasse for 3 nights, so will most likely get to know the area fairly well. By car, is it pretty easy to reach from Nice and Cannes? We have been to the coast but haven’t been as far inland as Grasse. We are so excited!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Sarah, How exciting! Yes, Grasse is further inland but it is about a 30 minute drive from Cannes and an hour drive from Nice. There are also bus and train options. However, if you are getting married in July or August, the coast will be packed with both international and French tourists as this is the most popular time of the year for tourism and the traffic and crowds can be quite bad. So do take that into account when making your plans as getting from Point A to Point B can take longer than expected, and if guests are coming from the coast for them to allow extra time and be prepared. Wishing you a wonderful wedding and enjoy your time in Grasse! Best, Jessica
Ashley Post author
Hi Sarah – I would love to connect with you to discuss other ideas for your wedding itinerary. I am getting married in Grasse next June at a chateau and am trying to scope out activities for the group so maybe we can share some ideas?
Lexington Post author
Hi –
I am planning to visit Grasse France in the near future… What is the best time of the year to go? And are you a “nose or perfumer here in the the U.S. and if not can you refer any? I am seeking some assistant in creating this fragrance I am passionate about .. It is a one of a kind, and not on the market.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Lexington, I would suggest visiting in Spring if you have the chance as it is a lovely time of year, but Grasse is also nice to visit any time of year. You should be able to do the perfume tours or perfume creation workshops at any time of year, just be sure to book the workshops in advance. I am not a nose, just a travel blogger, and I don’t know of any places you can make your own perfume in the U.S. but I am sure it is possible for a price. But you probably should be able to make a one-of-a-kind perfume at Galimard as they have over 120 scents that you are able to combine as you wish. I would highly recommend that workshop while you are in Grasse. Enjoy your trip to France. Best, Jessica
Galimard Post author
Amazing to see that this article is still very much alive in the comments!
Anyone asking how to get to Galimard by public transport, you can find all necessary information, including bus numbers and timetables, on our website:
http://www.galimard.com/index.php/en/getting-there.html
Any help or advice needed, please contact us on info@galimard.com, we’re always happy to help!
Kind regards from sunny Grasse,
Delphine Roux
Parfums Galimard
travelcats Post author
Hi Delphine, Indeed, many people are still finding and using this article to plan their time and Grasse and to figure out which perfume museums and fragrance workshops to visit. Thanks for the added details! Best, Jessica
Trevor Post author
Hi Jessica
My wife and I recently visited Grasse a part of a three month “immersion” in France – mostly in the Dordogne. I wanted to do a perfumery course (my wife was happy to be a spectator) but was unsure of which to do. After reading your post I decided on Galimard and was not disappointed – it was great fun and I now have a lovely bottle of Galimard perfume to take back to Oz with me, The unfortunate thing is that their ingredients are such high quality but they don’t sell them individually. I have tried sourcing good fragrance oils online but the quality is patchy at best, and it can be a very frustrating experience, Still, it was a pleasure to sit at one of their “organs” and with the help of an expert create something that I can enjoy forever.
Trevor
travelcats Post author
Hi Trevor, I am so happy that our post helped you decide on a perfumery class in Grasse and that you had such a lovely experience. Yes, the companies there only tend to sell oils and such in bulk to other companies, but the great thing is that you can simply order your fragrance any time online or via phone from Galimard. They keep the name and formula in their computer system for reordering which is fantastic and probably a better option than trying to recreate it on your own with oils purchased online. Glad you had such a great time in France – my husband’s parents currently live in the Dordogne so we visit about once or twice a year. Best, Jessica
Emeka Ezekwe Post author
A beautiful post about Grasse France. l visited Grasse 2 year ago and had a real life experience in perfume making like you, its an experience of a life time and l shall treasure it forever because l really never knew much about perfumes and its production until my visit….most intriguing was the encounter with the Nose and how a little village like Grasse decided to put herself on the world map because of her expertise. l also visited Eze village and Biot where l saw glass making prowess dating more than 300 years, and l experimented with glass making using fire heaters, wow………Traveling remains the best form of education,you can never disown the testimonies of your own eyes……
Lindly Otte Post author
Thank you for this great advice! We are headed out next week to Paris, then to Nice. Do you know how to get to Molinard or Galimard from Nice? I assume bus or train, but can we then walk to the perfumeries from the bus or train station? Thank you.
travelcats Post author
Hi Lindly, you can easily get to Grasse by either bus or train from Nice. Both options are going to take approximately one hour and most buses stop at the Grasse train station (gare in French). From the Grasse train station, you can reach either of the perfumeries in about a 20-30 minute walk or catch a local bus or get a cab if you would rather not walk. If you are walking I’d recommend downloading a map before your trip or picking one up at the local tourism office once you arrive so you can better explore the town on foot. Wear comfortable shoes for the old town. Be sure to book any perfume courses in advance. Enjoy your trip to France! ~ Jessica
Jillian Phillips Post author
Great share..
I have recently attended this perfume workshop and got really impressed as how they prepare perfumes.
travelcats Post author
Hi Jillian, Yes, this was one of my favorite experiences from that trip along the French Riviera and I still use that perfume! It was really fun and interesting to learn about the scents and how to combine them, and what a great souvenir. I was just looking up how to re-order my custom scent which is easy to do online or by phone. ~ Jessica
Triin Post author
Thanks I’m in Grasse now and my friend sent me the link to your blog. Was contemplating whether to do the perfume experience especially as the ones with Fragonard were already full.
travelcats Post author
Hi Triin, Glad someone send you my blog post. I really enjoyed the perfume making workshop at Galimard. As far as I know (at least during my visit) Fragonard does not do a perfume making workshop, they just do tours of their perfume factory and museum. Galimard and Molinard both offer perfume creation workshops in Grasse. Galimard offers the one we describe in the article and Molinard offers a few options ranging in price depending on the number of essences available and length of workshop. I hope you are able to do one or the other during your trip. If you do one, I’d love for you to share your experience in a follow-up comment! Best, Jessica
Vorranida Post author
I’m going there this coming Summer tho I’m wondering if there is a half day trip that cover visiting museum and perfume workshop?
travelcats Post author
Hi Vorranida, I don’t know of any half-day tour trips that would include both of these things. I would decide which perfume workshop you want to do and then make a reservation if needed. There are regular trains and local buses to Grasse, as well as taxis, and you can easily put together you own half-day trip. Have fun in Grasse! ~ Jessica
Barbara Post author
Traveling in France with two companions earlier this month, we had planned to visit Molinard to create our own perfumes. Unfortunately, I had to return to the US early for a family emergency, and didn’t get to visit Grasse or Molinard. My faithful friend built a fragrance for me based on my preferences for light, clean, non-sweet scents. The perfume turned out beautifully. It’s so cool that I can order more of it online!
travelcats Post author
Hi Barbara, I am sorry to hear that you had to end your trip early due to a family emergency but it is so nice that your friends made you a perfume. It is indeed great that you can always re-order your personal fragrance online! Thanks for taking the time to comment. ~Jessica
Angie Post author
I was at Grasse just about two weeks ago for my perfume trip. Unfortunately, didn’t know we need to make reservation for the workshop, so didn’t get chance to creat my own perfume. But it was a very unforgettable trip and I love the little town a lot! I took train there from Nice. If I ever came back to Grasse, would love to spend a night there.
travelcats Post author
Hi Angie, Yes, unfortunately, the workshops are given by appointment only but I am glad you still enjoyed your visit to Grasse. You don’t need a reservation to do the perfume tours, but you do need them if you want to create your own perfume. Thanks, Angie, for taking the time to write about your visit to Grasse and I hope you make it back here some day! ~ Jessica
Allison Post author
Thanks for such a detailed post on Grasse! You helped me narrow down our choices! I think we will do the Fragonard tour and maybe the 30 min perfume making at Molinard — I would love to do the 2 hour workshop but with a 14 month old – it would probably be a bad idea! Haha!
travelcats Post author
Hi Allison, the tour is great and I hope you enjoy it. Yes, unless you have someone else with you not doing the workshop, it would be challenging to do it with a young child. The workshop at Galimard is set within the workplace and lab for the perfume creationists, so it is not the best place for children. But I am sure you will have a lot of fun in Grasse no matter what you choose to do! ~Jessica
sally Post author
What a wonderful blog you two; well written and certainly informative. Off we go for the day!
travelcats Post author
Thanks Sally, glad it was helpful and hope you have a great trip!
Galimard Post author
Bonjour!
I was glad to discover your (very thorough!) review of Grasse and of our perfume creation workshop. So nice you enjoyed it and that it became a happy memory from your trip! And you’re doing a great job in replying to each comment individually and as best you can, you’re doing the work better than the Grasse Tourist Office š
Our workshop in Grasse is still available of course, and we also offer private workshops with our Parfumeur, for anyone wanting an even more personalised and unique experience (in Grasse or Eze-Village, also great for anyone wishing to come close to an old favorite fragrance!) ; http://www.galimard.com/index.php/en/creez-votre-parfum/haute-parfumerie.html
Regarding the polemic about brown/clear glass bottle : it is true that perfume keeps better away from the light, but this can be done by keeping the bottle in its box, or in a cupboard. At Galimard, we use brown bottles to keep essences in our lab, and this is also why we offer this brown bottle at the workshop (also, we like the “authentic” look!). Now, a lot of people prefer a more classic bottle, and also find it more convenient to use a spray, this is why we have a selection on spray bottles on offer for sale.
Another important thing to keep perfume stable is to avoid humidity and big temperature changes. So really ideally avoid the bathroom!
We would be happy to help with any question regarding our tours or workshops at info@galimard.com
Hope to see you again sometime on the French Riviera!
Best regards,
Delphine Roux
Parfums Galimard
travelcats Post author
Thank you very much Delphine for taking the time to provide more information to our readers about your company and perfume creation workshop! We’d love to visit again in the future when we are in France.
Chrissie Post author
Hi I enjoyed your post about Grasse as we planned a holiday in the area. We are staying in a village near Grasse called Speracedes and have visited Grasse several times. I had the perfume experience at Galimard yesterday and it was great fun! I was interested to read that you were told not to keep your perfume in a clear bottle because they sold me a beautiful clear bottle to put my perfume in for an extra ā¬12!
I can’t wait for the two weeks to be up to smell it properly. I shall keep it in a dark drawer just in case the light spoils it. It’s a shame because it is such a pretty bottle.
travelcats Post author
Hi Chrissie, glad you found our article helpful in planning your trip around Grasse France. Yes, it is better to store a perfume in a opaque or dark glass bottle rather than a clear bottle as sunlight can quickly degrade a perfume. I was told this by one of the noses actually during the process, and then at the end I was surprised when asked if I wanted to purchase a more expensive clear glass bottle (instead of the included dark glass one). It is a shame they sell them to be honest as your perfume will last most longer if it is stored in a dark place. For clear bottles, I would just keep them in a drawer as much as possible and it should be fine. Hope you love the perfume when you finally get to open it up in 2 weeks! It seems like a long time to wait, but it is worth it:) ~Jessica
Lucy Post author
Thank you so much for this wonderful post. Been reading up on Grasse for some time now because am planning on starting my perfume line. You post was very helpful to me, Thanks
travelcats Post author
Hi Lucy, thanks for taking the time to post and let us know you enjoyed our post on Grasse France. I wish you the best of luck with your own perfume line! Sounds exciting.
Henoch Post author
I’m living in South Africa Johannesburg, I’m doing perfume business buying from local markets, but now l want to start buying from your company. So I like to know more about you guys, even to travel to France for business. Thanks a lot. Best regards Henoch
travelcats Post author
Hi Henoch! Your perfume business sounds exciting but we do not actually own or work for a perfume business. We are travel bloggers, but you can contact perfume companies in Grasse directly but getting the phone numbers or emails directly from the companies you are interested in contacting. Good luck!
marietta mejia Post author
I loved your trip description. I am going to Grasse the 28 october. I am looking for a room to stay 1 night. Do you know someone? I will be going with my daughter.
I will be arriving to nice. What do you recomend to take a bus, train or rent a car.
Thank you
Marietta
travelcats Post author
Hello Marietta!
I am so glad that our post was helpful in planning your trip to Grasse. We used Airbnb.com to book a private room in an apartment in Grasse and we specifically stayed in this room and loved our host couple. There are many other options through Airbnb as well as local hotels, B&B’s, lodges, and private villas.
As far as transportation, getting from Grasse to Nice is possible by any of those means (train, bus, car). I think I would base it on your preferred way to travel and where you will be going before Grasse or after Nice. During our trip, we spent over a week in Provence visiting many small towns not served by trains so we had a rental car when we arrived in Grasse but then dropped it off on our arrival in Nice as it was fairly easy to get around Nice and the French Riviera area without a car. The drive from Grasse to Nice is less than one hour.
Have a lovely trip and feel free to let us know how you enjoy your trip to Grasse France!! ~ Jessica
marietta mejia Post author
Thanks a lot. Very helpful!
Rhodenid Post author
I just learned about this place from my principal, who had a sweet yet manly scent that could be smelled as he walked about. Your article and experiences are so well explained, that I felt that I was there myself. What a great place to visit vicariously through you. God bless!
travelcats Post author
Thanks so much for commenting Rhodenid as we love to hear from our readers. I am glad that this article made you feel like you were in Grasse!
Isabel Post author
I’m very happy with your review of your visit to Grasse. In two weeks I’ll stay there too. and I’ll create my own perfum in Galimard like you. I’ll stay a day and half and I want to visit Fragonard factory and perhaps Le Domain de Manon. Did you visit this garden?
I like very much your blog.. Congratulations! I’ve discovered it today.
I like travel when I’ve got time and money. And I’ve got a lovely cat: Kiss
Thanks for your post. It’s very useful for me. And sorry for my english (I’m spanish)
travelcats Post author
Hello Isabel, glad you found the article useful. We did not visit that particular garden as we found out about it after we left But if you have a full day and a half you should have time for a perfume factory tour, time to make perfume (be sure to make a reservation), do a walking tour of the old town, and visit the garden. Have a great time and feel free to let us know what you thought about Grasse and the Galimard perfume creation workshop.
Eric Kinman Post author
Hey. We’re just taking off for Grasse this week. I’m wondering if you had any luck finding a local art scene around the area — not high-end.
travelcats Post author
Hi Eric, no, we didn’t specifically search out any art, although there are some great art museums in Nice, Antibes, etc. I would ask at the tourist information office in Grasse once you are there. Good luck and enjoy your time in Grasse and France!
Ricardo Lopez Post author
Hi,
Thank You for your in depth and enjoyable post about Grasse. My wife and I are planning a trip to France early September 2014, and just as you have suggested, a half day trip to Grasse is on our itinerary primarily to tour the Fragonard perfumery and the town. My main concern is transportation from the train station to the Fragonard factory. Are buses regularly available to and from?
travelcats Post author
Hello Ricardo, yes, you should have no problem getting a shuttle or bus from Grasse train station to the city center (some stop at Fragonard). You can check the line schedules at http://www.sillages.eu or check transport options on the Grasse tourism website. Glad you found the article useful and hope you have a wonderful time in France!
Wandering Carol Post author
Hi Ricardo, I just toured Grasse today. When we got out of the train, we went directly across the street, asked a bunch of people who told us we were at the right stop for the town. The fare is 1.5 Euro. It was a bit confusing, but as long as you ask around you’ll be all right. It was fun to read this blog – it sounds as if the workshop was the highlight and it’s the one thing I didn’t do. Now I’m thinking I might go back! You’re right. Grasse is a lovely stop.
travelcats Post author
Thanks Carol for providing this very up to date information regarding the bus to Grasse city center from the train station. Yes, I really enjoyed the perfume creation workshop and I think that would definitely be worth another visit:) Just make sure to make reservations in advance.
marnie droppelman Post author
I am planning a trip to Grasse and would like to try and have a perfume that I used many years ago re-created, if possible. It was called Replique by Raphael, Paris. I still have an empty bottle of it, but you are able to detect the original smell. Please advise me if this is a worthwile pursuit. Sincerely, Marnie Droppelman
travelcats Post author
Hi Marnie,
First, it appear you can buy vintage bottles of this perfume and newly remixed formulas online of Replique by Raphael, including on Amazon, ebay, http://www.perfumeemporium.com and http://www.longlostperfume.com
I doubt you would be able to recreate the exact scent of course as not all the same essential oils/scents/ingredients will be there, but you can probably create a personalized scent that is similar. Here is the formula for Replique I found online and you can certainly share it with the nose and tell them you would like to create a similar scent. “Replique perfume has top notes of Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, cardamom, neroli, coriander, clary sage and fresh aldehydes. Mid-notes of ylang ylang, lily of the valley, Egyptian jasmine, mimosa, tuberose, heliotrope and coumarin. Base notes of oakmoss, olibanum, powdery amber, musk, vetiver, patchouli.”
Good luck and would love for you to come back and tell us about your visit to Grasse!
Adrian Mendoza Post author
I have learned a lot from this article. Thanks to you! I love perfumes. I wish I could as well experience making my own perfume someday. I’ll be listing this place you tackled in my “must-see” places.
travelcats Post author
I think for perfume lovers, this definitely belongs as a must-see place to travel.
MightyTravels Post author
Awesome idea – will add that to my list š
Btw just followed you on Twitter as well – great travel blog you have š Looking forward to connect!
travelcats Post author
Yeah, thanks so much for following us! We look forward to connecting further. Feel free to e-mail us (just check our Contact page) or chat via social media.
Megan C. Stroup Post author
I have never heard of this! I actually don’t wear perfume, but I might if I could make it myself. š Thanks for linking up again!
travelcats Post author
Yes, it makes it special when you create it yourself. Of course, you’re welcome.
Charlotte Post author
What an incredibly neat experience that must have been! I’ve always wanted to make my own perfume, and would love to go to the city of perfume itself š Also I have a thing for France. And “The Nose” sounds like an incredibly prestigious title to have… and talk about sheer devotion–no spicy foods, no alcohol?! Not sure I could do this personally š
travelcats Post author
Thanks for stopping by Charlotte. Yes, I don’t think I could do that training either. I went to school for a long time but didn’t have to give up things like wine and spicy food!
bevchen Post author
Making your own perfume sounds like such a cool and unique experience! I’ve never even heard of Grasse.
travelcats Post author
I don’t think most people have unless you happen to be from France or are really interested in fragrances. I first heard of Grasse from watching the creepy German movie Perfume: The Life of a Murderer, perhaps not a good first introduction:) I would definitely give making perfume a try if you ever have the opportunity!
Meghan Post author
What a unique experience! I’ve heard about “le nez” and understand that it takes a lot of work and dedication to get into that position. It’s so cool you got to interact with one and have his help in designing your own perfume. So cool. Thanks for sharing!
travelcats Post author
Yes, the training and life of perfumers, or the noses, is so interesting, isn’t it?! A dedicated life for sure, but I imagine one that might be a bit socially isolating.
Meredith Post author
This sounds like a lovely stop! I’ve always been curious about the create-your-own perfume experience. I have to say it looks a bit intimidating, but worthwhile for the end product. As always, good information to note for the future š
travelcats Post author
Thanks Meredith for stopping by! There are not a lot of these studios out there that I know of and I imagine very few, if any, give you as much selection as Galimard (127 scents). But I think any perfume creation workshop would be a lot of fun for the information and the experience.
regina Post author
wow, very interestings post. I am absolutely perfume addicted, so grasse is on my list for the next 2 years, Hopefully I will find the opportunity to get there.
regina
travelcats Post author
Hope you get here soon. If you are addicted to perfumes, you’ll love the factory tours, museum, and perfume creation workshop. I believe you can also do the perfume workshop at Galimard’s location in Eze (on a slightly smaller scale), but I would do it in Grasse if you can.
Christine Post author
Thank you for showing more of this town, We passed through there in the early 1990’s but only toured the Fragonard Perfume Factory. It was quite interesting though….CHRISTINE
travelcats Post author
You’re welcome Christine, we enjoyed our Fragonard tour too. Maybe you’ll get back someday to take in more of the town:)
Seana Turner Post author
I really enjoyed this post because I’ve never even heard of Grasse.. it was all new to me. I didn’t even know there was a perfume capital. It looks like a pleasant place to relax. Your story about the nose was familiar because as a student I toured IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances), and I learned about the nose there. I think their skill is so interesting and unique. I’m kind of surprised no one has ever tried to commercialize the “create your own” fragrance idea (at a much simpler level, of course).
travelcats Post author
I don’t think you’re alone as I don’t think most people outside the fragrance world knows too much about Grasse. But is a really interesting place, particularly if you enjoy fragrances. They also do a lot of the food flavor stuff too. I bet it is pretty expensive to run these studios unless you can buy the essential oils relatively cheaply and in bulk like giant perfumeries can.
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki Post author
How interesting this sounds like a fun trip!
travelcats Post author
It really was a fun day, so great to go back and think about past trips!
Wendy@BlushandBarbells Post author
Oh wow that sounds like an amazing experience. Two years on, do you still like the scent that you created?
travelcats Post author
Hi Wendy, yes I do, and I even have some left! I don’t wear perfume a lot, daily just deodorant and a body spray, so perfume lasts forever for me. At 3.3. fl oz I still have about half of the bottle left. I think the smell has faded a bit, but because they put it in a dark glass bottle (I learned one should not keep perfume in clear glass as the light/heat affect it) and I keep the bottle in the box, it still smells pretty similar to when I got it!
Jen Post author
This is Wonderful! I booked my 2 hour workshop after reading your review! Thank you! I’m so excited!
travelcats Post author
Hi Jen, I am sure you are going to love the Galimard performe workshop in Grasse. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it makes our day!! Happy travels in France, Jessica