Grasse and its hinterland

Grasse

The reputation of Grasse is second to none, the perfume town since the 17th century, is now the perfume capital of the world. It’s rare scents - lavender, myrtle, jasmine (totally dedicated to the composition of Chanel No. 5), centifolia rose, orange blossom, iris and mimosa - have contributed to the development of the perfume industry, and three of them - Fragonard (1926), Galimard (1747) and Molinard (1849) - open their doors to the public and offer free guided tours to explain the perfume manufacturing process.
 
Visit the old town and discover the place des Aires, its arcaded houses and its Louis XV fountain, take the unwinding streets, often steep, admire a square Saracen tower, remains of remparts from the 16th century, singing fountains and picturesque squares.
 
Grasse offers an architectural collection: in addition to the town hall in the former monastic palace, there are the medieval houses heightened in the 17th and 18th centuries, magnificent luxury mansions and beautiful high-end villas from the 18th century, and the casino Belle Epoque.

 

Auribeau sur Siagne

This very pretty medieval village perched on a foothill of the Massif du Tanneron, takes a brilliant gold color in February with blooming mimosas. Its narrow streets are home to houses of the fourteenth century flowing down towards the river Siagne, where women came to draw water in the 1850s.
 
Created in the eleventh century, the village retains some of the old fortifications such as the Soubran portal at the top of the village and the portal Soutran at the bottom, which enabled the closing of the access with heavy doors.

 

Opio

In a natural environment with surrounded by Mediterranean trees such as olive, pine, cork oak, arbutus and heather, Opio is a charming Provençal village where they grow roses and jasmine for the Grasse perfume industry, whilst the Grande Bastide olive grove, one of the largest in the department, produces a delicious olive oil that you pick up at the Moulin d'Opio dated from the 15th century.
 
Opio nestles in a quiet background, suitable for long walks in the middle of its 450 hectares of forest.

 

Le Rouret

Planted with olive trees, pines and cypresses, the Rouret is a true Provencal village which has kept some old stone houses, a square planted with plane trees where a beautiful church with a bell tower stands, a fountain erected in 1851 and a lovely chapel. There are numerous villas perched on the hills, authentic Provencal farmhouses sheltered by high walls and luxurious residences hidden behind their recent cypress hedges.
 

Valbonne

Ancient little city built in a valley with Mediterranean vegetation, Valbonne is known for its old center an undeniable cachet, located away from house-fortification: ocher stone facades, porches surrounded by vines and bougainvillea, linteled doors decorated with emblems, historic old houses ... Valbonne has a real charm! Do not hesitate to visit the Romanesque-Gothic monastery founded in the year 1200, where you will discover a portal and a roman altar, reliquary busts (18th century), a chapter house, a treasure room and the monks dormitory.

 

Mouans Sartoux

Residential Village prized for its quality of life, Mouans-Sartoux has a beautiful old center and a wonderful castle built in the 16th century in the middle of a large park, and where the "Space of concrete art" has been installed since 1990 devoted to contemporary art. The "castle" now organizes a remarkable series of temporary exhibitions led by senior artist Gotffried Honegger.
 

Biot

This hilltop village dating from 154 before J-C overlooks the mediterranean, the hills covered with mimosas and olive trees. To visit Biot is to begin a true Provençal tour filled with anecdotes: The Calade, the Portugon, the Cul de sac, the Calade of Migraniers, Lei Croutons, place of Airette, the Rondon, rue des Orfèvres, place Catastrophe (where two houses collapsed on the evening of June 12, 1898), Place des Arcades ... Admire beautiful doors, vaults, perspectives from one street to another, half-arched staircases, carved stones, sundials, pebbled pavements ... Called 'The Citée Verriére’ Biot has been housing for over half a century the greatest master glassmakers, creating a true artistic movement and craftsmanship that contributes to the fame of the city in the world. Rich in artistic creativity and culturally solid, Biot welcomes in its walls more than 80 artists and craftsmen, not to mention the famous Fernand Léger National Museum. Biot is also a natural park suitable for beautiful relaxing walks along the Brague, and several golf courses including Le Golf de Biot and the Provençal Golf.
 

Cabris

Tanneron

Chateauneuf Grasse

Tourrettes sur Loup