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Is baking in the sweltering heat of the French Riviera not your idea of an ideal vacation? Then let New York Habitat recommend an entirely different holiday experience, in Grasse - just a few miles inland from the coast, and a world away.
A gorgeous hilltop town with stunning views and sumptuous medieval architecture, the elevation and unique microclimate of Grasse make it not only a refreshing change from the summer heat; it also provides the perfect environmental conditions in which to grow roughly 27 tons of jasmine every year.
Who on earth would need 27 tons of jasmine, you may ask? That would be the many perfumeries located in and around Grasse, which is the perfume capital of the world! In fact, two-thirds of all the aromas produced by France come from Grasse, and most of the world’s expert sniffers are trained here as well.
You can take guided tours of perfumeries to see how your favorite fragrances are made, and visit the Musée International de la Parfumerie for highlights from three millennia of perfume making.
The surrounding countryside is awash with color, as jasmine, roses and many other flowers are grown in huge numbers to fulfill the demands of the perfume industry. There is even a Jasmine Festival on the first Sunday in August, and a Rose Festival on the second weekend in May.
South of France Villa: 3-bedroom in Cabris, French Riviera (PR-895) photo
Even this hosted 3-bedroom Bed & Breakfast in Grasse-plascassier (PR-389) gets in on the act! Set in the peaceful countryside, this villa with a private garden offers three well-appointed guest rooms named Mimosa, Jasmine and Lavender. All the bedrooms can accommodate one person or a couple and have a full private bathroom and independent access. From the house, the views sweep from the Mediterranean Sea to the foothills of the Alps. The house has been decorated with Antiques and glimpses of the owners’ time abroad.
If you’d like to make Grasse your base for a longer stay to take in all the South of France has to offer, this 3-bedroom vacation rental villa in Cabris, France (PR-895) is situated about 10 minutes drive from the town of Grasse itself, and has vacation or monthly rentals throughout the year.
This being France, of course, the 11th-century Notre Dame du Puy cathedral in Grasse features several works by Rubens and is well worth a visit. And Grasse is just a half hour from Cannes and Nice and easily accessible by car or public transportation, so world class shopping and cuisine are right nearby - as is Nice’s international airport.
More and more, vacationers are opting to stay in smaller, more picturesque towns like Grasse and simply visiting larger cities like Nice. Which one appeals to you more - or does it depend more on the kind of accommodations you find? Let us know in the comments.
Related apartment rental posts from New York Habitat:
- See an unexpected side of the South of France in the Camargue
- A Different Kind of Beach in the South of France
- Exploring European History in the French Capital
- The Lavender Fields of the South of France
- Pont du Gard: Roman Aqueducts in the South of France
April 21st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
This is very interesting, and quite humorous, too, might I say. Thanks for the info.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
This vacation rental(PR 895) is a wonderful villa. You have the luxury of beeing in the French Riviera without the inconvenience of the crowed. Grasse or the surroundings seems to be the perfect location.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I have been told about Grasse, France before and would have forgotten about it had I not read this article. 27 tons of jasmine is a lot. I bet this place smells terrific!
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I agree this is interesting. It seems odd that a place called “Grasse” is well-known for its jasmine. Must be a terrific smelling area though.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
It’s been a while since I’ve been looking for God’s Garden! I finally found it and it’s stock with 27 tons of Jasmine, Roses and other Flowers AND most of all it’s located in Grasse where my friends and I will loose ourselves this summer.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:53 am
I am interested in this thing. Thanks for sharing.