Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence

Grasse


This local-history museum, at home since 1921 in an aristocratic hôtel particulier (mansion), is a wonderful evocation of life in the 18th century. Rooms are laid out pretty much as they were when the marquise of Clapiers-Cabris lived here – he loathed his mother, who lived opposite, so much that he had a Gorgon’s head carved over his door to leer through her windows. Don’t miss the ground-floor kitchen, decorative art collection and gardens with beautiful springtime wisteria. Admission also includes entry to the Villa Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

Before entering the museum, pause for a moment to admire, lower down the street, the beautiful (if now abandoned), eclectic façade of what was Hugues-Ainé Perfumery in the 19th century.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Grasse attractions

1. Musée Fragonard

0.02 MILES

On Grasse’s main pedestrian street, this small museum explores the work of Grassois painter Fragonard (1732–1806), whose risqué paintings of love scenes…

3. Musée International de la Parfumerie

0.05 MILES

This whiz-bang museum is a work of art: housed in an 18th-century mansion enlarged with a modern glass structure, it retraces three millennia of perfume…

4. Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy

0.11 MILES

Once a humble church, Notre-Dame du Puy became Grasse’s cathedral in 1244. The current façade dates to the early 20th century. Inside there are paintings…

5. Musée Molinard

0.42 MILES

Visitors can admire a fine collection of vintage perfume bottles and learn about perfume ingredients on a self-guided tour of this small museum tracing…

6. Domaine de Manon

2.83 MILES

For a different spin on Grasse’s perfume production, plan a trip to this lovely flower farm 7km southeast of the centre of Grasse. Centifolia roses and…

7. Espace de l’Art Concret

3.44 MILES

Modern-art and architecture lovers shouldn’t miss Mouans-Sartoux’ contemporary-art centre, housed in the 16th-century Château de Mouans and the purpose…

8. Les Jardins du MIP

4.1 MILES

These gorgeous gardens belonging to Grasse's Musée International de la Parfumerie showcase plants used in scent-making. Half the garden is displayed as…

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