France can be considered the birthplace of the luxury perfume industry, and Grasse has been the country's center of perfume making for over 200 years, so it’s fitting that the town is home to the International Museum of Perfume. The exhibits here provide unique insights into the origins of perfume production in Grasse, from the days when flowers were harvested and dried by hand right up to the present day. There’s also an interesting collection of perfume bottles from across the decades, and exhibits that invite you to sniff different essences.
You can skip the line by purchasing entry tickets in advance.
The museum’s charming gardens are well worth exploring (with a separate ticket required).
Both the museum and gardens are wheelchair accessible.
The International Museum of Perfume is located in the center of Grasse. The closest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur, 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. The region is easy to travel around by car, or by public transportation. Buses connect Nice and Grasse, while the town also has a train station linking towns along the Côte d’Azur and with onward connections to cities including Paris.
The museum is open daily, year-round. It’s closed on major public holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Provence/Côte d'Azur region is pleasant to visit throughout the year, though you’ll find it busier over the summer vacation months, particularly in August.
Inland from the Cote d’Azur, the countryside is dotted with hilltop towns known in French as villages perchés. From Les Baux with its rocky backdrop to the artist’s haven of Saint Paul de Vence, these picturesque towns with their winding streets and sidewalk cafés are quintessential Provence. To see multiple villages in a single trip, consider a guided tour with transportation provided.