Olfactory walk in the gardens of the Musée International de la Parfumerie

Thanks to Louis XIV, a great lover of perfume, Grasse quickly became, after Venice, the epicentre of perfumery in Europe. The king perfumed the entire court and made perfume an essential for the bourgeoisie. In the 16th century, the art of perfumery became a French symbol. Later, thanks to great names such as Coco Chanel and François Coty, France was at the forefront of perfumery, intimately linked to fashion. Recognised as the world capital of perfume, the lands of Grasse are still cultivated by some perfume factories, which grow flowers as fragrant as they are rare.

Because of its history, the Musée de la Parfumerie opened in Grasse, the birthplace of this meticulous art. Since 1989, the museum has welcomed visitors from all over the world to tell the story of perfumery since antiquity. Through various themes –elegance and classicism, magic and dynamism, or frivolity and hygiene– the museum takes visitors on an olfactory journey to the heart of Provence.

Just 10km from the centre of Cannes, the gardens of the Musée de la Parfumerie are incredibly colourful and fragrant. Covering an area of 2.7 hectares, they lie at the foot of the hills in the small village of Mouans-Sartoux. Proud of the heritage and know-how they have preserved, the gardens have been created with respect for the ancestral traditions of Provence. The Pays de Grasse urban community has signed a partnership agreement with the League for the Protection of Birds to guarantee the protection of the flora and fauna in the area. All the products used are organic or natural, so the site plays an important role in the conservation and preservation of local biodiversity.

Visitors are invited to take a stroll through the lush alleys, scented with spices and flowers.

Observe the animals of the PACA region

The on-site ponds, the natural biodiversity of the site and the use of natural products encourage animals to visit the gardens. In fact, you'll be able to spot many species of bird, including grey herons, kingfishers and other animals such as garter snakes.

Cultural and environmental events

Town halls and local authorities often organise cultural events and get-togethers in the gardens.

On a regular basis, you can go to:

• Plant swaps ;
• Garden rendezvous
• The "Fête de la Nature";
• Le Temps des Contes" festival;
• The "Night of the shooting stars"; And more.

You can find the full programme on the Musée de la Parfumerie website.

Permanent garden exhibition

Throughout the year, an exhibition of permanent collections highlights the links between botanical cultures, herbalism and perfumery. The exhibition shows how plants have evolved and adapted to meet human needs. It answers questions that everyone has about plants, such as: why do plants smell?

Guided tours

Free guided tours are organised every Saturday at 3pm. You must arrive a few minutes early to take part.

During the summer months of June, July and August, a tour is added at 5 p.m. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.