Grasse Things to Do

Grasse, situated on the border of the Cote d'Azur and the Provence, has two museums that enlighten the customs of this South departement of France in many ways. One museum is the "Musee d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence (1)" showing about the art and history. the other "Musee Provecnal du Costume et du Bijou (2)" emphasises the dresses and jewelry that belongs to this region. Both are situated in the old town of Grasse and are definately worth a visit (one is already great to get an impression).

Named after one of Napoleons successful Generals. I guess the unsucessful ones were not around long. Like there are probably very few unsuccessful skydivers around.

The significance of the door is that it is carved in solid walnut and bears an important french civic emblem. This apparently makes it interesting.

Solid walnut door connoiseurs to please form an ordely queue

During the French Revolution, Grasse became the capital of the Var. Tucked away in a corner in the gardens of the Musee Admiral de Grasse is this an unexpected memorial to the many prominent citzens of Grasse executed in the Terror that followed the "restructuring and new management arrangements" of France in the 1790's.

Chief Executive Citizen Robbespiere and his Committee for Public Safety (not to be confused with today's Health and Safety) let loose a terrible purge of France's senior management. Early retirement and cosy pension arrangements were not an option. Many public figures of Grasse are catalogued here in marble letters, their age and position, prior to having their heads detatched from their bodies. (Sort of "severance arrangements", you might say)

France often trumpets the ideals of the revolution - Liberte, Equalite, Fraternite. Rarely mention of "Decapite", courtesy of Madame Guillotine.

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Grasse's new partof the town is also nice. There are many attractive perfume shops, restaurants and cafes. The location of the new town is higher than the old Grasse. >You may go to this new town first and then go down to the old town, this way it is easier to walk.

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The Fragonard perfumery is a great place to stop when you're touring the south of France. Not only is it one of the easiest to reach by foot (most of the rest are surrounded by fields outside of town,) but it's got a great museum attached so you can absorb a bit of history with the smells.

The museum is free to tour - which you know I love. It's about five rooms with a cellar below. The front desk can give you maps for the contents of each room. The store is located directly below the museum and I very much encourage you to stop. The staff was really helpful in assisting us to pick a few scents to bring home. The prices were really good as well, because you're pretty much buying retail.

Hours are 9am-6:30pm June-September and 9am-12:30pm & 2pm-6pm October-May.

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It was very interesting to learn very much about industry of perfume industry. For example, did you know how much flower of jasmine needs for production of aromatics of 1000 kilos? I liked that conducted tour was interactive and all participants tested their ability in perfume industry.
Of course at the end tour guide represent you various perfumes and you are welcome to buy some of them. If you don't want you leave the museum or buy some aromatic soap as souvenir.

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The best way to get to know a place is to walk around and see it on foot. You are forced to go slowly and see what is going on around you. You smell the bread from the bakery and the flowers at the market. The merchants will offer you free samples of nearly everything and that's a great way to choose your sausages, cheese and fruits for those marvelous French pique-niques.

It you happen to be a budget traveler, walking is free! Always in its favor. 8^)

Couple of nice golf courses are near-by Grasse.

Golf de la Grande Bastide
- average course in the fields

Golf d'Opio Valbonne
- very lovely course in the middle of woods. Tee 16 just next to 2000 years old Roman aquaduct is excellent!

Golf Claux Amic
- luxury course in the mountains, hard work walking up & down the slopes