Grasse Attractions

Grasse, at heart still an ancient little town and Sous-Préfecture of the Département of Alpes-Maritimes, lies about 18km/11mi north of Cannes. It has a sheltered situation on the slope of the Roquevignon some distance from the coast on the Route Napoléon. Even before the Côte d'Azur, Grasse was known as a winter health resort, on account of its mild climate. The town is famous as the center of the perfume industry.

The area of Grasse is rich in finds from pre- and early historical times, especially of the late Neolithic era. It is believed that the place existed in Merovingian times (fifth/sixth century A.D.). In the 12th C. Grasse gained its independence but in the 13th C. came under the control of the Dukes of Provence. It was the seat of a bishop from 1244 unti1 1790. The perfume industry, which has made Grasse world-renowned, was introduced in the 16th C. by Catherine de' Médici. The Roccoco painter Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) was born in Grasse. Pauline Borghese, the sister of Napoléon Bonaparte, lived in Grasse (garden above the town, Boulevard Jeu-de-Ballon 2; from here the view extends from Nice to Cannes).