The town of Grasse is located in the Var region, in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, along the Mediterranean Sea, and offers the perfect setting for a vacation or getaway, in any season.
This city, the world’s perfume capital, is less than 30 minutes from Cannes and Antibes, less than an hour from Nice, Èze, and Monaco, and under 2 hours from Saint-Tropez and Menton. Not to mention that the area around Grasse is dotted with stunning medieval villages you won’t want to miss. So here we’re sharing our favorite activities and discoveries in Grasse and its surroundings, to help you make the most of your stay on the French Riviera!
An obvious one, considering the article’s title, but a must-do nonetheless. Grasse is full of charm!
This medieval town, perched high above the Riviera about 30 minutes north of Cannes, is perfectly located between sea and mountains. The setting is delightful, with winding little streets providing welcome shade in summer, while leading you to museums, local shops, flower-filled squares, and beautiful landmarks.
Sure, it’s a bit of a workout since the town is built on the mountainside—you’ll be going up and down a lot—but the old town is absolutely worth visiting, if only for the stunning views it offers!
And of course, Grasse is world-famous as the capital of flowers and perfume. The town is home to internationally renowned perfumers, the three main ones being Galimard, Fragonard, and Molinard.
You can visit these perfume houses (sometimes for free, like at Galimard), check out the International Perfume Museum (€6 full price), and even visit the nearby flower fields used for perfume-making, such as those at the Domaine de Manon (visits depend on the flowering season; contact them for details and reservations), whose harvests are “exclusively reserved for Christian Dior,” or the Gardens of the International Perfume Museum (€4 full price), both about 15 minutes from Grasse.
In addition to perfume house tours, many also offer perfume creation workshops.
We tried the private Haute-Parfumerie workshop at Galimard’s Studio des Fragrances, and the experience was simply AMAZING!
Galimard offers several types of workshops, starting at 62€ per person, and you always leave with your very own perfume! A unique creation, tailor-made to your taste, crafted by you from start to finish, slipping into the role of a perfumer for a few hours.
It’s a truly original and surprisingly affordable activity, especially when you consider how expensive perfume normally is.
And the icing on the cake: Galimard isn’t only in Grasse—they also have shops in Èze and Paris, and offer workshops in all three cities.
This can also be a fantastic gift idea, whether for loved ones—or for yourself!
French Riviera means sea, and sea means boats! And what better way to enjoy the coastline than escaping the crowded beaches (especially in summer)?
We highly recommend renting a boat (with or without a license) for the day. It’s the ultimate way to relax: you can find calmer, less touristy spots, enjoy swimming in crystal-clear waters, and take in breathtaking views of Cannes and its surroundings.
Since boats without a license in France aren’t very fast (much less powerful than the one we had rented in Sardinia in October 2024, which we talked about in our article: 10 Must-Do Activities in Sardinia), you’ll need to choose your sailing area wisely to make the most of your day.
Here are the two main options:
We chose the first option and had a wonderful day, even if it was a bit busier than expected.
We rented Bradley’s license-free boat on SamBoat—he was super friendly during the briefing, and the rental even included snorkeling gear. Highly recommended!
You can also find more excursions and sea activities directly on GetYourGuide, just like the one we selected for you bellow:
Pic du Cap Roux, located in the Estérel Massif near Saint-Raphaël, is a stunning area with ochre-colored rocks and incredible 360° views over the French Riviera.
The massif has over 400 km of trails, ranging from leisurely walks to more challenging hikes. There’s something for everyone, but our absolute favorite was the hike to Pic du Cap Roux!
We recommend going early in the morning for sunrise, or late afternoon/evening to enjoy the golden light washing over the rocks, making the landscape glow. It makes the panorama even more breathtaking!
There are several loop trails leading up to Pic du Cap Roux. We did this one:
Tour of Pilon and Pic du Cap Roux
Since we started a bit late and the sun was already setting, we didn’t complete the full loop. Instead, we cut through midway to return before it got completely dark. Honestly, no regrets! Even doing half the hike, the scenery was so beautiful and totally worth it. But if you want to do the full loop, plan ahead better than we did 😄.
This scenic road runs along the Mediterranean coast, offering breathtaking viewpoints and swim spots nestled among calanques and hidden coves.
Some must-stop points include:
All shared parking lots are free, but most are small (except at Cap Dramont). Arrive early or visit outside peak season to secure a spot.
Just above Cannes, this overlooked little village is full of charm.
To our delight, in the middle of August, the old town’s streets were completely empty! Quite surprising—but a very welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Riviera.
Here, calm reigns. The atmosphere is authentic, and you’ll find some great little boutiques (concept stores) where we honestly wanted to buy everything! We even stumbled upon a pottery workshop where students were creating beautiful pieces. An unexpected, quirky little visit that really brightened our day.
Our favorites:
Parking: Val d’Azur Parking (first hour free).
This medieval hilltop village, nestled between Grasse and Cannes, is absolutely enchanting! With its spiral layout and preserved ramparts, it’s the perfect place to wander aimlessly through charming cobbled streets.
What makes it even more special is its history: Picasso chose to spend the last years of his life here with Dora Maar—and it’s easy to see why. The atmosphere is peaceful and inspiring! But Mougins is also a true gastronomic capital. Chef Roger Vergé invented the famous “Cuisine du Soleil” here, which gave the village worldwide renown.
Today, you’ll find plenty of art galleries and excellent restaurants. In short: a delightful stop to stroll around… and indulge in some fine dining!
Our favorites:
Parking: Parking Sainte Anne or Parking Avenue du Moulin de la Croix (both free).
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a real gem perched on the Puy Plateau. Surrounded by ramparts and crisscrossed with charming little alleys, we absolutely loved exploring this village of old stones, lovely squares, and incredible views. The surrounding hills covered with flowers, olive trees, and vineyards only add to its beauty.
And Saint-Paul-de-Vence has long been a haven for artists! Since the 1920s, painters, sculptors, actors, filmmakers, and poets have flocked here. Today, the village is still filled with art galleries and studios that bring it to life. As you wander, you dream, you get inspired—and you end up falling in love with the place.
Our favorites:
Parking: Street parking lot (meters: €2.50 per hour / €4.50 for 2h. Rates decrease the longer you stay).
Antibes and its old town are a nice stop if you’re in the area! Along the sea, you’ll find charming little streets, but above all, plenty of small local shops where you’ll want to buy everything.
The atmosphere is super pleasant, and the Promenade de l’Amiral de Grasse, which runs along the ramparts and the sea, dotted with succulents, is a must-do! That alone makes the walk worth it.
But the highlight is to extend the trip with the Tire-Poil Trail. 🌊
This path follows the rocky coastline of Cap d’Antibes, with its hidden coves, pine trees leaning toward the sea, and jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean. You’ll walk to the rhythm of the waves—sometimes right by the rocks, sometimes shaded by the pines—and honestly… it’s breathtaking!
Count about 2 hours for an easy stroll, but pack a swimsuit (for refreshing breaks) and good shoes (since there are a few ups and downs).
Our favorites:
Parking: avenue du 11 Novembre (free for the first hour, then €1/hour, €3/2h, €15 max per day).
Tire-Poil Trail:
So, Cannes… We won’t lie, we were a little disappointed… 😅 With all its fame, we expected to be charmed right away, but in reality, it’s mostly a city turned toward luxury: fancy hotels, chic boutiques, flashy cars cruising along the Croisette… And in summer, the beach is absolutely packed.
So yeah, not the most enjoyable if you’re looking for authenticity.
BUT (because there is a “but”), Cannes hides a much more unusual side: its street-art trail! Over 25 murals decorate the city walls, and it’s worth checking out if that’s your thing. With tributes to cinema (of course, it’s Cannes), nods to celebrities, and super colorful creations, we loved looking up and spotting them as we strolled through town.
Our favorites:
Parking: 43.549478, 7.004032 (free).
As for accommodation nearby, we stayed at Village Vacances AEC Les Cèdres, in Grasse, which offers a really pleasant setting! Otherwise, you can always check Booking (Grasse, as you’ve probably guessed, is an ideal base) :
And that’s it, this is already the end of the article! We’ve shared the must-do activities if you’re coming to the French Riviera, around Grasse and Cannes!
We hope this guide will help you plan your trip and that you’ll enjoy your stay here to the fullest.
If you haven’t booked your tickets for the French Riviera yet, you can do so right here:
➡️ Since you've made it all the way to the end of the article, we're even offering you €10 with our referral code PL316TD9L for your first reservation with Ulysse (all you have to do is enter the code just before payment, by ticking the box “Do you have a referral code, promo code or gift card?”).
And don’t hesitate to share your experiences and tips in the comments for other travelers 😉
If you can, it’s best to come outside the high season to enjoy the area without the tourist crowds. It’s much calmer and more pleasant. We were able to compare (since we came in February 2022 and August 2025), and trust us—there’s no contest! Especially since in February, we had amazing weather (around 18°C all week with full sunshine. A treat!).
How about we chat?