Parfumerie Fragonard, Grasse

Perfume museum in one of the oldest parfumerie's in Grasse

Updated 28 April 2021

This historic perfume factory is in the heart of the Old Town and is one of the oldest in Grasse, constructed in 1782.

In 1926 they took the name of Parfumerie Fragonard as a tribute to the famous painter Jean Honoré Fragonard.

They produce perfumes, cosmetics and soaps in a setting imbued with respect for tradition. You can get a free guided tour during which you can discover the various procedures involved in creating and producing the products. At the end of this tour you can admire 3000 years of perfume history in the private museum.

Free guided tours in all European languages. Products at factory price.

Worth knowing

A charming museum but the free guided tour is worth taking as you will discover a lot more than you could have imagined about the perfume business.

Visitor comments

"We visited here with our French friends. We took a tour, in English on the history of Fragonard Perfumeries which was really interesting. Our young lady guide was very good in explaining things to us as we progressed through the site, ending up in the very extensive, wonderfully fragrant, gift shop. There is free parking near the site and the car drive up the hill to reach it is very interesting indeed! We ended up spending quite a bit of money from happy, cheerful staff, whose uniforms looked really smart. For those who need to, there is a lift to take you to each floor if you are unable to walk up the stairs and very nice accessible toilets outside before you go into the building" - Trip Advisor
"For somebody who has never seen a distillery or perfume factory it could be an interesting "how it's made" lesson. The guides are very professional and patient with the upcoming questions. They drive you from the very old distillation techniques and equipment to the modern machinery and computerized processes. You will get to know about the different types of flowers and scents, worldwide imports and exports, packaging, trends and so on. One thing that remains unchanged through the history of the world's first perfume factory is the "nose" profession. At the end of the tour you get to buy products "at first hand" from the boutique-like perfume shop." - Trip Advisor
"I was absolutely in love with seeing how the perfumes were made and taking the tour of the perfumery itself to learn its history. At the end we were allowed to smell every single scent and of course purchase some. I love the fragrance I have from them. I would revisit just to get some more!" - Trip Advisor

Directions

From Cannes:
Take the N285 then the N85 signed Grasse, Castellane and follow the signs to Centre-Ville (see map L'Usine Historique).

From Nice or Aix-en-Provence by the A8:
Leave the motorway at Exit 42 signed Cannes-centre, Grasse; take the N85 signed Grasse, Castellane and follow the signs to Centre-Ville (see map L'Usine Historique).

When to come

Open every day, Sundays and public holidays included, from 09:00 to 18:00 (closed 12.30 to 14:00 from mid November to mid December).

How to book

The guided tours are available every day to all customers, however if you wish to book a private tour then it is worth getting in touch with them in advance.