Discovery workshop perfume in Nice
Nice
Come to design your own personal fragrance
in our boutiques !
A Creation Molinard expert will interpret your flights of fancy,
and he...
€45 | Rating 4.86 / 5 [15 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Bucket list experience:
Perfume in Grasse
Fragonard’s Perfume Factory
Credit Shutterstock.com/Veniamin Kraskov
Last updated: 08 November, 2022
Grasse, in the hills north of Cannes, is the capital of French perfume – with some 30 parfumeries distilling the globally-sourced essences that go into those pricey little bottles.
Fragonard, named after Grasse’s famous 18th-century painter, is one of the oldest and most traditional fragrance houses, and you can take a free tour of its history factory to see how their scents are made. There’s also a museum dedicated to the 3,000-year-old history of perfumes, and a ‘flower factory’ on the edge of town, surrounded by pretty gardens.
If you want to understand the process first-hand, sign up for a perfume-creating workshop, where you get to create your own 100ml bottle under the watchful gaze of a professional.
Although Fragonard is the most charming, Grasse’s other parfumeries, such as Galimard and Molinard are also worth a stop. Molinard’s perfume-making workshops help you to create your own scent, guided by a professional ‘nose’. Options range from 30 mins to 2 hours. There’s also a fun 20-minute workshop for kids aged 4-8.
While you're there
Nearby in Plascassier, flower nursery Domaine de Manon offers tours of their farm where they grow the centifolia roses and jasmine used in Dior’s perfumes. They’re usually only on Tuesdays during the flowering season (May to October) – check the website for the latest details.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
If you arrive by train, the station is 2km south of Grasse and linked by free village shuttle buses to the historic centre.
At the factory, there are free 90-minute guided tours (in English and other major European languages) of the production process, led by a professional perfume marker. They finish, of course, in the shop, where you can buy the Fragonard range. No booking required – just turn up. You can also read about the factory and the process before you go on a nice section on the website.
When to do it
The factory and museum are open all year round, seven days a week.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Perfume Workshop
Nice
In our Workshop, you have the Universe of Perfume right in the heart of Nice. We offer you a complete view into the past, present and future...
€65 | Rating 4.9 / 5 [10 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Molinard Perfume Workshop in Nice
Nice
Delve into the world of French perfume and create a personalized fragrance during this 1hour perfume workshop in Nice. Learn about the histo...
€76 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [133 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Perfume Workshop in Grasse
Grasse
At 15 minutes from Cannes, Grasse is a capital of perfume
Come to design your own personal fragrance
in the Bastide, Molinard, in our bo...
€76 | Rating 4.56 / 5 [50 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Hotel Le Canberra
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[14.2 miles]
Affordable boutique hotel with lashings of Cannes glitz, convenient for the sights, shops and beach.
Official star rating:
Carlton Cannes
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[14.4 miles]
A luxurious and iconic film-star favourite in Cannes’ most desirable location – pole position on La Croisette. The hotel’s private beach, jetty and restaurant are still the see-and-be-seen spot in Cannes.
Official star rating:
Hotel Martinez
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[14.7 miles]
The stars’ favourite during the Cannes Film Festival, this legendary Art Deco hotel and beach club delivers on glitz and glamour.
Official star rating:
Hotel Les Vergers de Saint-Paul
Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Cote d'Azur, France[15.2 miles]
A charming, affordable oasis of a hotel with a pool, in walking distance of the medieval town of Saint-Paul-de Vence. Stay for the tranquility, and lovely views over the countryside.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Cannes
Cote d'Azur, France
Sister city of Hollywood and host of the famous film festival, Cannes, with its palm-lined La Croisette, golden beach and five star hotels oozes cinematic and pure Riviera glamour.
Website >
Overview >
French Riviera
Cote d'Azur, France
Money, glamour and bombshell looks: this beach-trimmed stretch of French coast offers decadent hotels, lounging in beach clubs, fine restaurants and world-class art.
Website >
Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Cannes Film Festival
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[13.8 miles]
The world’s top film festival, held in the South of France. Though designed for professionals, it can be just as fun for fans with free and ticketed screenings.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 11 days
Maeght Foundation
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[15.5 miles]
An architectural jewel, this museum between Nice and Antibes is filled with world-class modern and contemporary art, inside and out.
Best for ages: 18+ | £14
Picasso Museum Antibes
Antibes, Cote d'Azur, France[18.1 miles]
A delightful collection of Picasso’s works, brimming with joie de vivre – housed in the castle once used by the artist as a studio.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Forville Market
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[13.6 miles]
The big covered market in the heart of Cannes dates from the 1930s, and overflows with the fresh produce and flowers of Provence. It’s open until 1pm and closed Monday – although sometimes there’s a flea market in there instead.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1 hour
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Museum of World Explorations
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[13.8 miles]
In a medieval castle with superb views over La Croisette, rare items from the Himalayas, Arctic, Pre-Colombian America and the Pacific islands, along with the ancient Mediterranean artefacts, musical instruments from around the world and historic paintings of the Riviera.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Movie Train
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[13.9 miles]
Discover Cannes the easy way on the Movie Train, starting from the Palais des Festivals: it takes in the Forville Market, Le Susquet, La Croisette, the casinos, and Rue d’Antibes.
Best for ages: Any | £5 | 1 hour
Website >
Overview >
Experience
La Croisette Promenade
Cannes, Cote d'Azur, France[13.9 miles]
Join the locals by shopping the luxury boutiques, then stopping for a drink and people-watching at one of the many canopied cafés along this iconic seafront promenade in Cannes.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Website >
Overview >