Less than an hour from Monaco, Grasse has perfumed the world for five centuries. Discover the world capital of perfume: its museums, its perfume houses, its medieval old town and its workshops where you can create your own fragrance.
Less than an hour's drive from the Principality, a Provencal town has been perfuming the world for five centuries. To visit Grasse is to travel back to the source of the greatest fragrances: this is where the essences of May rose and jasmine are born, the very flowers that houses such as Chanel, Dior and Hermès turn into legendary perfumes. The world capital of perfume, Grasse blends a savoir-faire listed as UNESCO intangible heritage, a medieval old town of colourful lanes and perfume houses open to visitors. From the Port Palace, the excursion is ideal for a day of escape between sea and hills. Here is our complete guide to discovering the city of perfume, its museums, its scent-making workshops and its finest addresses.
Why Grasse is the world capital of perfume
Perched on the first foothills of the Pre-Alps, at 350 metres above sea level, Grasse enjoys an exceptional microclimate: hot summers, mild winters and rich soils. As early as the 16th century, the town, then famous for its tanneries, began perfuming the leather gloves fashionable in European courts. The shift towards perfumery had begun.
Over the centuries, Grasse has cultivated fragrant flowers of unrivalled quality: the May rose (rosa centifolia), Grasse jasmine, tuberose, violet and orange blossom. In 2018, the perfume-related know-how of Grasse, which encompasses the cultivation of plants, their processing and the art of composing a fragrance, was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Today, the town remains the beating heart of French perfumery. The world's greatest 'noses' come here to train, and several flowers harvested in the Pays de Grasse are still used in the composition of fine fragrances, including the famous Chanel No. 5.
☉ Good to know
The International Perfume Museum usually closes in winter, from early December to the end of February. The rest of the year, admission remains very affordable (around 2 euros, free for under-18s) and also gives access to the Villa Fragonard. Always check seasonal opening hours before your visit.
How to get to Grasse from Monaco
Grasse lies around 64 kilometres from Monaco, about fifty minutes by car along the A8 motorway heading west. This is the most flexible option for exploring the town and its surroundings at your own pace, and for visiting the flower estates that ring the city.
By train, allow around 1h30 from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, with a change at Cannes or Nice before joining the line that runs to the Grasse terminus. More than twenty daily connections serve the town, from around 11 euros. To plan your arrival in the Principality and combine your journeys, our guide to transport options for reaching Monaco details every possibility.
Guests who prefer to travel without constraints often opt for a bespoke journey. When staying at the Port Palace, you can book a private transfer or the rental of an exceptional vehicle to reach Grasse in the utmost comfort.
The perfume houses to visit in Grasse
It is impossible to visit Grasse without stepping inside one of its historic houses. Three perfumeries open their workshops to the public free of charge and offer fascinating guided tours, from the distillation of flowers to the final blending. It is the perfect opportunity to understand, step by step, how a flower becomes a fragrance.
Fragonard, the emblematic house
Founded in 1926 and named in tribute to the Grasse-born painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, this is the town's best-known house. Its historic factory, right in the centre, can be visited free of charge: discover the copper stills, the perfume organ and the craft of the 'nose'. The boutique lets you leave with an eau de toilette or a scented soap.
Galimard, the legacy of the glovemakers
Galimard claims a founding date of 1747, making it one of the oldest perfumeries in Grasse. Beyond the tour, the house is renowned for its Studio des Fragrances, where anyone can compose their own perfume under the guidance of a perfumer.
Molinard, refinement since 1849
Set in a characterful villa, Molinard charms visitors with its Belle Époque setting and its bottles signed by Baccarat or Lalique. The house also offers scent-creation workshops, perfect for a truly personal souvenir.
The International Perfume Museum
To grasp the full scale of humanity's olfactory history, the International Perfume Museum (MIP) is a must. Set in the very heart of Grasse, on Boulevard du Jeu de Ballon, it traces more than four thousand years of perfume history, from the ointments of ancient Egypt to contemporary creations, through a unique collection of bottles, objects and documents.
The journey, both visual and olfactory, appeals to the curious and the passionate alike. Allow around 1h30 to 2h for the visit. A few steps away, the Fragonard museum offers a more intimate take on traditional perfumery. Admission to the MIP remains very affordable and is free for visitors under 18.
Garden lovers can extend the experience at the MIP Gardens in Mouans-Sartoux, where the emblematic fragrant plants of the Pays de Grasse grow. All practical information is available on the official website of the Museums of Grasse.
Strolling through the old town of Grasse
Beyond perfume, Grasse charms visitors with its historic centre and medieval soul. The narrow lanes, ochre facades and vaulted passages invite you to wander, far from the crowds of the coast. It is one of the most beautiful Provencal villages of the Nice hinterland.
Do not miss the Notre-Dame-du-Puy Cathedral, built in the 12th century, which houses three paintings by Rubens and a rare triptych attributed to Louis Bréa. The cool, solemn interior offers a welcome break on hot summer days.
Then make your way to Place aux Aires, the lively heart of the old town, lined with arcades and animated by its 18th-century fountain. Every morning except Monday, a Provencal market spills over with flowers, fruit, cheese and olives. The neighbouring lanes, such as Rue Jean Ossola, are full of artisan boutiques and small shaded terraces.
💡 The concierge's tip
« For a perfect day, arrive in Grasse in late morning for the Place aux Aires market, lunch on a terrace in the old town, then move on to the museum and a perfume house in the afternoon, in the shade. And if you visit in August, do not miss the jasmine harvest at dawn on an estate in the Pays de Grasse: a rare moment our guests book in advance. »
Create your own perfume: the scent-making workshops
The most memorable experience of a visit to Grasse is surely creating your own perfume. In the studios of Galimard, Molinard or Fragonard, a perfumer guides you through the top, heart and base notes to compose a unique fragrance, bottled in your name.
These workshops generally last from one to two hours and are suitable for adults and teenagers alike. The format, blending learning and sensory pleasure, makes for an exceptional gift and an unforgettable souvenir of the French Riviera. Remember to book in advance, especially in the high summer season.
When to visit Grasse: May rose and the jasmine harvest
Grasse can be visited all year round, but certain periods have a special magic. From early May to mid-June, the May rose is picked at dawn in the surrounding fields, just before being turned into absolute. The scent of roses then drifts across the whole Grasse countryside.
The jasmine harvest, for its part, runs from August to October. Every morning, thousands of white flowers are picked by hand before noon to preserve their fragrance. A summer or early-autumn visit lets you witness this ballet and, on certain estates, take part in the picking. The town also celebrates this heritage during its Jasmine Festival in early August.
Spring and autumn remain the most pleasant seasons for wandering the old town without the intense heat. In summer, favour museum and factory visits in the middle of the day, when the sun beats down on the lanes.
Extending the experience from your stay in Monaco
Grasse is best enjoyed over the course of a day, as a complement to a stay in the Principality. After a fragrant morning, many of our guests combine the excursion with the discovery of other regional gems, such as the hilltop village of Èze, where Fragonard has a second factory, or the bay of Nice and its old town.
Back in Monaco, the contrast is striking: the flowering hills of Grasse give way to the buzz of Port Hercule. From our rooms and suites overlooking the harbour, the evening promises to be gentle, perhaps rounded off with a Mediterranean dinner at the La Môme restaurant on our rooftop. A day spent between floral essences and Monegasque art de vivre, like a perfume you never forget.
Port Palace Monaco
Make Monaco your base for exploring the French Riviera
Our rooms and suites facing Port Hercule place you at the heart of the Riviera, ideally located to reach Grasse, Èze or Nice. When staying at the Port Palace, you benefit from a concierge service to arrange every excursion to measure.
Book your stayFrequently asked questions about visiting Grasse
How long do you need to visit Grasse?
One day is enough to discover the essentials: a perfume house, the International Perfume Museum and the old town. If you add a scent-creation workshop or a visit to a flower estate, plan for a full day, or even two to explore the Pays de Grasse in depth.
Are the perfume factory tours in Grasse free?
Yes, the guided tours of the Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard factories are free and accessible without booking for individuals. Only the personalised perfume-creation workshops are paid and require a reservation.
What is the best time to visit Grasse?
Spring, for the May rose harvest (May to mid-June), and late summer, for the jasmine harvest (August to October), are the most evocative periods. Spring and autumn also offer an ideal climate for strolling through the old town.
How do you get to Grasse from Monaco?
By car, allow around 50 minutes along the A8 motorway over 64 kilometres. By train, the journey takes around 1h30 with a change at Nice or Cannes. When staying at the Port Palace, you can also arrange a private transfer for greater comfort.
A capital of perfume, a medieval jewel and a land of flowers, Grasse offers a unique sensory interlude within reach of the Principality. An excursion that pairs beautifully with a luxury stay in Monaco, between Provencal nature and Mediterranean refinement.
