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Grasse
[Presentation]
[History]
[Surrounding area]
[Visit]
[Virtual Tour]
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Presentation |
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Nestling in the hills beyond Cannes,
Grasse is the only large town on the Côte
d'Azur not at the edge of the Mediterranean. But Grasse is also unique for
other reasons. Capital of the Perfume Industry, it is a town of fragrance whose steep streets
are well worth discovering.
The historic part of town with its quaintness and charm is
also well worth the detour.
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History |
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Grasse began to develop as early as the 11th century, though it was in the
12th century that the town knew real economic prosperity thanks to a treaty
drawn up with Genoa in Italy. Later attached to the County of Provence,
then the Kingdom of Savoy, Grasse benefitted from the development of its
leather-tanning industry in the 15th century, then from another activity
that grew out of the first : perfume manufacturing. In the 18th century,
Grasse became the Capital of the Perfume Industry.
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Since then, the perfume
and food flavor industry has made incredible progress, leaving Grasse with
a fragrance unique on the Côte d'Azur. |
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The
surrounding area |
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Bar-sur-Loup : medieval village surrounded with hills of
pines and olives ; a halt must be paid at the Florian sweet factory for those
with a sweet tooth. |
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Gourdon
At an altitude of 758 meters, the 12th century castle boasts a handsome collection of old weapons and a torture chamber. Admire the view from the hanging gardens. Designed by Le Notre, who was also responsible for designing the gardens at Versailles, these terraces are home to a number of specimens of alpine flowers.
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Mouans Sartoux
: Mouans-Sartoux is only four miles away from the sea and a little more from
the mountains, with its ideal climatic conditions. The visitor may admire
besides the Castle recently established by the Commune, the fountains, the XIII-Th.
century chapel,…
Opio : flowery village specialized in the flower rearing
; oil-mill still in production.
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Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey
: This charming resting place, located at the foot of the Audibergue mountain on a broad, green plateau, offers a beautiful panoramic view over the "Pas de la Faye". In the area surrounding St. Vallier de Thiey, discover the many hiking paths and visit the "Baume Obscure" cave and the "Audides" cave.
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Cabris : located in an admirable position, the ruins of the 12th century castle offer a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Cannes, the Gulf of La Napoule, the Lerins Islands, the Tanneron and Esterel Hills and Saint Cassien lake.
Saint Cézaire sur Siagne : perched on a rock piton this village offers a
splendid viewpoint (hilles of Estérel). In the area, discover the caves "les
grottes de Saint Cézaire".
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Visit |
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The Casino and Congress Center.
The
Perfumery Museum and Villa Fragonard.
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Strolls
2-hour tour - 1-day
tour - 2-day tour
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