Tourist attractions Grasse

During its short journey from rising on Mt Audibergue to flowing into the Mediterranean, the River Loup has over the ages hewn one of Haute-Provence’s most beautiful valleys; a vertical gorge dotted with potholes. Heading upstream, visitors will disc..

Palm trees, elegant buildings, fine sand beaches, luxury shops, famous hotels and limousines with tinted windows. This is the legendary Cannes of the film world, a dream destination for aspiring starlets and avid celebrity press readers hot on the he..

Sited on the Mas St-André estate, bought by Fernand Léger (1881-1955), for whom Andreï Svetchine constructed this sober edifice in 1960; the interior was renovated by Marc Barani in 2008. On the ground floor is a large stained-glass window inspired..

Mont Vinaigre was once a haunt of brigands and the most dangerous spot in the Esterel massif. From this high point (618m) there is a fine view: from left to right, Cap-d’Antibes, Pointe de la Croisette, Cannes, the Gulf of La Napoule; straight ahead,..

Sprinkled with attractive eucalyptus trees and pines, this island measures three kilometres long by 900 metres wide. You can visit the Royal Fort (built by Richelieu) which contains a small aquarium, the dungeons where the mysterious man in the Ir..

This headland offers a fantastic view of the Estérel mountains and the coast from Cap Roux to Cap d‘Antibes, including the Îles de Lérins (viewpoint indicator).

This island is a private estate owned by the monastery and is partly covered by a beautiful pine, eucalyptus and cypress forest. The old monastery, which is lapped by the water on three sides, was built in 1073. The current monastery and church date ..

This townhouse was built by Jean-Paul de Clapier-Cabris, the brother-in-law of French revolutionary politician Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau. The museum has delightfully eclectic collections featuring family portraits of minor nobility, P..

This pleasant terraced esplanade has a lovely view of the cultivated and wooded countryside rolling down to the sea. The fountain dates from the French Revolution.

Reopened in 2008, this museum extends over nearly 3,500m 2 . The extremely modern interior was designed by Frédéric Jung. Highlights include a “scented” video screening; presentation of plants used in the perfume industry; rotating chronological exhi..

The Espace de l'Art concret with its exceptionally rich collection of contemporary art is a must-see for fans of design, or abstract, geometric and minimalist art. The Château de Mouans (19C, assizes 16C), located at the heart of a lovely park, has..

As you enter St-Jacques church, note the carved panels of the Gothic doorway. Also of interest is the high altar with the retable by Nice artist Louis Bréa (1475-1523), with 14 scenes depicting 12 saints painted on a gold background. Lastly, admi..

The castle, built in the 12C and restored in the 17C, has a variety of architectural influences: Saracen, 14C Tuscan and Renaissance. It also houses two museums. The Musée historique (historical museum) exhibits medieval works of art, a collection ..

With its four round pepper-pot towers, Vallauris castle , rebuilt in the 16C, is one of the few examples of Renaissance architecture in Provence. The castle was once owned by the monks of the Lérins islands (the 12C chapel can still be seen) and now..

A fabulous collection of musical instruments and rooms displaying art from the Near East, Oceania and pre-Columbian America. This museum was founded a year before the Musée de l’Homme (museum of mankind) in Paris after distant expeditions undertaken ..

This show featuring dolphins, killer whales and sea lions (half of which are born on site) is popular with children and adults alike. A transparent tunnel in the pool containing sharks, rays and other exotic fish plunges you safely into this underwat..

Considered by Matisse to be his masterpiece, this 1951 chapel has blue and white tiles and a surmounting wrought-iron cross (13m high). Inside one is taken aback by the contrast of the pure colours of its stained glass against a white background. Eve..

This museum set up in an old 19th C school has nearly 4000 works of the famous comercial artist Raymond Peynet (1908-1999). Who settled down in Antibes in 1950. His works include lithographs, ink drawings, watercolours, gouachesand sculptures - alway..

In 1946, Picasso was looking for a studio where he could create large-scale works. Museum curator Romuald Dor de la Souchère offered the painter a large room in the Château Grimaldi. The eager artist said “I won’t only paint for myself here. I’ll dec..

The building dates back to the late 10C but was restored and modified in the 17C. The organ was made by a Toulouse organ builder, Junk, the triptych is attributed to Louis Bréa, the religious paintings are by Fragonard (although not his particular fi..