Grasse is the world capital of perfume. This industry appeared in the 17th century with the glovers-perfumers who became perfumers in the 18th century.

It is a real microclimate which allows the Grasse countryside to cultivate flowers in great quantities, such as the violet, the jasmine, the rose... The famous Grasse perfume factories, such as Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard, open their doors to discover the world of perfume. The International perfume museum explains the history of perfume and the various stages in creating a new perfume.

The picturesque old town and its 13th-century cathedral are also worth a visit.

As the birthplace of perfume-making, the town of Grasse, in the heights of Alpes-Maritimes, was honour bound to offer visitors a museum devoted to the subject. This has been accomplished with the International Perfume Museum - MIP, an unmissable attraction in the Nice back country.

Four places in Grasse's history are devoted to this unique museum: the Pontevès mansion, which houses part of the permanent collections; the old Hugues Aîné perfumery; the old Pélissier building, which houses the temporary exhibitions; and the orange tree garden, created in 1779 then remodelled in 1976.

At the MIP, you will learn all about the history of perfume, that timeless instrument of seduction: through a collection of over 50,000 objects, of which 2,500 are exhibited to the public, all aspects of perfume-making are explored, from raw materials to industry, design, marketing, etc., not forgetting the various traditions found all over the world.

Alongside the history of perfume, whose first traces can be seen in the form of perfume and cosmetic vases dating back to 7,000 B.C., and the exhibition of unusual objects from various eras, bottles, a perfume organ, eyeshadow boxes, perfume burners, etc., the museum also provides a showcase for French excellence in perfume-making. French perfume history unfolds here, from the first big names, like Coty, Houbigant, Guerlain and Chanel, to the gradual appearance of synthetic products.

There is one unique piece that visitors must be sure not to miss: Queen Marie-Antoinette's travel kit.

The museum hosts many activities including themed tours and olfactory and tasting workshops.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 05:30 PM

Vence attracted famous painters, such as Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. Outside the city, the Rosaire chapel, designed by Henri Matisse, is not to be missed. The medieval old town is full of charm, especially the Peyra square known for its delightful fountain. Moreover, this square is a former forum of the Romanesque city. Art galleries, restaurants and cafés line the pretty narrow streets.

An important musical event takes place every summer, the "Nuits du sud" (Nights of the South). This event brings together music artists from various countries around the world.

Born in Villeneuve-Loubet, the chef, restaurateur and food writer Auguste Escoffier, "the king of cooks and the cook of kings", modernised and brought international recognition to French cuisine.

The Museum of Culinary Art was created in 1966 in the house where he was born, in the old village.

Gourmets and enquiring minds can admire a variety of utensils such as roasting spits, braisers, tripe pots, cake and chocolate moulds, sugar creations, chocolate sculptures, dressed tables and a collection of 1,500 old and modern menus.

Cherry on the cake: at the end of your visit, in July and August, you can sample Peach Melba, the famous dessert created in 1893 by Auguste Escoffier!

Monday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Numerous artists and celebrities have contributed to the fame of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. At the entrance to the village, the famous petanque game square, immortalised in the games of Lino Ventura and Yves Montand, is a place full of life with its café terrace.

The old fortified village boasts beautiful medieval architecture: ramparts, beautiful stone houses, narrow paved streets, charming fountains... This site is really popular with artists and has a large number of art galleries. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is also renowned for the Maeght Foundation, a modern art centre.

If you are staying in or passing through Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a famous village in Alpes-Maritimes, be sure to pay a visit to the Maeght Foundation. Named after the famous art dealer Aimé Maeght and his wife Marguerite, the foundation was created following a tragic event, the loss of their second child. Taking refuge in Saint-Paul-de-Vence while deep in mourning, Aimé Maeght received moral support from several great artists of the day, including Georges Braque and Fernand Léger, who encouraged him to create a venue dedicated to modern art. Based in a building that combines Mediterranean and avant-garde architecture, the Maeght Foundation was inaugurated in 1964 by André Malraux and today houses one of the country's most important collections of paintings, sculptures, etchings and drawings from the 20th century, with works by such famous artists as Marc Chagall, Fernand Léger, Pierre Bonnard and Georges Braque.

Entirely devoted to art, the sculpture garden provides a backdrop for works by first-class artists, like the Stabile by Alexandre Calder and the fountain by Pol Bury. The inner patio is also worth a look, with a mosaic pool by Georges Braque, as are the central courtyard dedicated to Giacometti, and the Labyrinth, a monumental work by Miró filled with sculptures and ceramics!

The Maeght Foundation hosts temporary exhibitions all year round in this exceptional space, which is also designed to be a place for meetings and interaction with artists.

Located in Alpes-Maritimes, the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Natural Park was created in 2012 and ranges in altitude from 300 to 1,800 metres. Like a wonderful balcony over the French Riviera and the Alps, it encompasses some forty municipalities, at the heart of the Grasse Prealps, on the first mountain foothills to the west of Alpes-Maritimes, and between the Valleys of Le Loup, Le Cagne, L'Estéron, La Siagne and Le Var.

Between the high mountains and the Mediterranean coast, this veritable water reservoir for the French Riviera is home to over 2,000 plant species, or a third of all plant life in France, but also has a sizeable underground network of nearly 2,000 cavities and around 140 kilometres of tunnels accessible to humans. It also boasts some major historical and architectural heritage features, ranging from the dolmens and tumuli of the Neolithic era to the famous Napoleon Road, through the medieval castles of Gilette and Gréolières, and charming hillside villages like Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Bouyon. The Préalpes d'Azur area also has a rich rural heritage of fountains, washhouses, chapels, dovecotes and oil mills.

Within this exceptional territory, which is ideal for hiking with its variety of plateaus, forests, gorges, restanques (hillside terraces where vineyards are planted) and picturesque villages, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying your favourite hobby. You will also have the chance to meet many artists and craftspeople, as well as tour guides and mountain guides offering a wide range of activities.

In terms of activities, the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Natural Park has a programme of events entitled Les Rendez-vous du Parc, between October and June. This includes guided tours, cookery workshops and participatory building sites.

The village of Biot is famous for its hand-blown bubble glass. The famous Glass factory of Biot introduces visitors to the different stages of producing hand-blown glass by observing the work of the glassworkers.

Pottery is also a speciality of the village.

Nestling in the hills behind Nice, in Biot, Alpes-Maritimes, this museum is dedicated to the famous avant-garde artist who was a painter, sculptor, ceramicist, illustrator and draughtsman, and lived on the premises in the Mas Saint-André a few months before his death in 1955.

From Impressionism to Cubism, the artist's works form a unique collection of paintings, drawings and ceramics, particularly well showcased in this spacious building, which is acclaimed by visitors for the high artistic quality of its permanent and temporary collections.

Regular events, "music at the museum", "films at the museum" and lectures regularly take place on the site, not forgetting guided tours with or without audio-guides, and children's tours and workshops.

In the pretty, idyllic setting of the Mediterranean park planted with stone pines and featuring sculptures and huge mural mosaics, take a break to visit the refreshment stall and appreciate the tranquillity of this peaceful haven, an ideal place for contemplation.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: Fermé
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM

The city of Vallauris is renowned for its arts and crafts, and especially for pottery and ceramic. Pottery here is an ancient tradition. In the 20th century, Picasso played an important role in the arts and crafts of the city with its ceramic production.

The National Picasso museum, the Ceramic museum and the Pottery museum can be discovered.

The high street of the city has many shops offering potteries and ceramics.

It is in Vallauris that is held the International Biennale of Contemporary Ceramics, an exhibition of contemporary ceramic.

Between January and March, during the mimosa flowering period, the hills of the Tanneron massif get covered with yellow flowers. The golden scenery is stunning!

By the sea and surrounded by ramparts, old Antibes boasts numerous treasures: its Grimaldi castle home to the Picasso museum, its narrow streets and the small squares, its Peynet museum, its Provençal market, its cathedral decorated with a Baroque facade, but also its craft shops, its restaurants and cafés. Outside of the fortified old town are the Vauban port and the Carré fort, built in the 17th century by Vauban.

At Marineland, the internationally-renowned marine-life theme park, you can see wonderful killer whale and dolphin shows. Truly impressive!

Cap d'Antibes is a magical site with delightful wild creeks and pine forest.

Between Valbonne and Antibes, the technology park of Sophia-Antipolis groups together numerous companies, French and International, specialized in IT, data processing, electronics, telecommunications, biotechnologies and health sciences. Research and education are also important activities in the park.

The Picasso Museum is based in the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes, a listed Historic Monument owned by the Grimaldi family from the 14th century to the French Revolution.

Initially known as the "Grimaldi Museum", in 1966 it became the "Picasso Museum", as the famous Spanish painter was invited to use part of the castle as a studio by the curator in 1946. The "Picasso room" was inaugurated in 1947, displaying a total of 23 paintings and 44 drawings created on site.

After two years of work in the 2000s, the current museum enables visitors to rediscover the chronology of the "Antibes Picassos", from the post-war period to the late 40s, with major works by the artist: Joy of Living, Sea Urchin Eater, Woman with Sea Urchins, Still Life with Owl and Three Sea Urchins, Goat, Satyr, Faun and Centaur with Trident, etc.

Visitors can also admire works by Nicolas de Staël, as well as a rich collection of modern art representing the great 20th-century art movements. On the terrace are sculptures by Joan Miró, Germaine Richier, Bernard Pagès and Anne and Patrick Poirier.

Monday: Fermé
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM

The city of Cannes is known all over the world for its prestigious International Film Festival, which is held every year in May in the Festival and Congress Centre.

Luxury hotels, notably of the "Belle Epoque" style, and luxury shops border the Croisette, this famous boulevard running alongside the sea and its sandy beaches. The Suquet district, the old city centre of Cannes, has kept its picturesque atmosphere and is home to numerous restaurants.

In the summer, the Pyrotechnic Art festival gives the opportunity to admire magnificent fireworks.

In the summer, the town of Juan-les-Pins comes alive and becomes a place not to be missed. The seaside resort has a large number of clothes shops, restaurants, cafés, nightclubs and a Casino. Its sandy beaches also contribute to its wide success. All the necessary ingredients are there to make this city a good place for party and enjoyment.

The major musical event is "Jazz à Juan", an international festival of Jazz taking place in July.

Capital of the French Riviera, Nice is the ideal destination for all those wishing to enjoy its museums and galleries, its pebbles beaches and the picturesque atmosphere of its old town. Running alongside the sea, the famous Promenade des Anglais, prestigious avenue, is lined with luxurious hotels, some having the style of the "Belle Epoque" period, such as the Negresco and the Westminster. It is the perfect place for a walk and great for rollerblading.

Old Nice, with its narrow streets, has an abundance of colourful houses and in Baroque Art buildings and churches, such as the Gésu church and the Sainte-Réparate cathedral. The old town is renowned for its lively market on the Cours Saleya square, which is the heart of Nice. This colourful market brings together florists, fruits and vegetables traders, and local producers. On Mondays, this place is taken over by a secondhand goods market. Notice to the fans! In the evening, the Cours Saleya square comes alive with its numerous restaurants, pubs and café terraces. The beautiful arcaded buildings of the Masséna square and Jean Médecin avenue are home to numerous shops and shopping centres.

Those who love culture will be also satisfied. The city hosts indeed numerous museums, such as the Matisse museum and the National Marc Chagall museum, essential places to visit, but also the Modern Art and Contemporary Art museum, the International Naïve Art museum, the Nice-Cimiez archaeological museum, and many more. Nice is also rich in magnificent buildings: the Palais de Justice (law courts), prefecture palace, Lascaris palace and the Opera...

For relaxing, the city offers numerous parks and gardens, such as the Albert 1st garden, the Castle park, the Masséna square with its numerous fountains, the gardens of the Cimiez monastery and arenas, and the magnificent floral Phoenix park which boasts one of the biggest greenhouses in the world! An exotic experience guaranteed! The hill of the Castle and its park offer a beautiful view of colourful roofs of old Nice and the surroundings.

The major event of the city is the famous carnival, which takes place every year in February. The city then comes alive with celebrations led by the Carnival King! The flower battles are also a good colourful moment. In July, the Nice Jazz Festival is an international festival of jazz that brings together well-known artists. This event takes place at a magnificent spot, the Cimiez arenas and gardens.

Since 1990, the Nice Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, an amazing neoclassical building flanked by four square towers standing 30 metres tall and covered with white Carrara marble, has stood at the heart of the city. It aims to present European and American artistic creation from the late 1950s to the present day.

"New Realism", "Art of Assemblage" and "Pop Art" are the main movements represented at the MAMAC, thanks to bequests and donations from artists, collectors and foundations. Its extensive collections make this a must-see museum for anyone visiting the city of Nice. The MAMAC has around 1,300 works by over 300 artists on display: among its most iconic exhibits, visitors can admire the Stabile-Mobile by Calder, Le Monstre du Loch Ness by Niki de Saint Phalle, La Vénus bleue by Yves Klein, Dollar Sign by Andy Warhol or Still Life

56 by Tom Wesselmann.

After admiring the monumental sculptures on the forecourt, as well as the inner façades adorned by first-rate artists between 2002 and 2005, be sure to pay a visit to the terraces, panoramic viewpoints which provide direct views over the city.

For all ages, adults and children alike, there are artistic creation workshops and workshop-tours relating to the collections and temporary exhibitions.

Monday: Fermé
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM

Born in Belarus when it was still attached to Tsarist Russia, and later naturalised French, the painter Marc Chagall spend much of his life on the French Riviera, especially Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where he lived for nearly 20 years.

Inaugurated in 1973, this museum about him on the Cimiez hill in Nice was founded in order to bring together his 17 paintings about the Bible's Message under one roof. Today it houses the most extensive public collection of his works, with over 4,000 paintings, gouaches, drawings, washes and pastels, inspired by secular or religious themes. The contemporary architecture favours understated walls and rigorous shapes, to better showcase the works on display.

Audio-guides, lecture-tours and educational activities for children are on offer to the public.

To round off the tour of the Chagall Museum, take the time to explore its lovely garden, where the main tree species are Mediterranean ones such as olive, pine, cypress and holm oak.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Tuesday: Fermé
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM

When he passed away in Nice in 1954, the famous French painter Henri Matisse bequeathed a considerable body of work to 20th-century art, and was a major influence on artists in the second half of the century. In 1963, the city of Nice paid tribute to the pioneer of Fauvism, who spent most of his life on the French Riviera, by opening a museum that today houses one of the world's most extensive collections of his works.

Based in the Villa des Arènes, a superb Genoese house built in the 17th century and painted in Mediterranean colours, located in the Arènes Park in Cimiez, the Matisse Museum documents the development of the artist's work and his exploration of colour and graphics. It offers an abundant and eclectic selection of paintings and gouache cut-outs, drawings, etchings and sculptures, as well as photographs and objects that once belonged to Henri Matisse.

At the end of your visit, take the time to enjoy a walk in the idyllic setting of the gardens on Cimiez hill, where the famous painter liked to walk among the olive trees and Roman ruins.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: Fermé
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Off Cannes, both Sainte-Marguerite island and the Saint-Honorat island, constitute a beautiful spot to walk in the peace of pine and eucalyptus forest, and to bathe in turquoise waters! Happy swimming!

A 11th-century fortified monastery is on the Saint-Honorat island.

In Nice, this Franciscan monastery is a beautiful group of buildings including a church, a cloister and a museum. The peaceful flower gardens, featuring a rose garden, borders the Cimiez monastery.

Found throughout the region, this tree grows especially in the Tanneron massif, on the hills of Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Between January and March, hills offer a magnificent gold-coloured picture when they are covered with mimosas flowers. We would really like to see them all year long!

It is in the magnificent natural harbour that you can discover Villefranche-sur-Mer, a delightful colourful village, and its charming fishing port. The location offers a beautiful view of the Cape Ferrat peninsula, the heart of the French Riviera. Moreover, this magnificent peninsula is home to one of the most beautiful palaces of the French Riviera, the Ephrussi de Rothschild villa, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a palace of Italian style which can be visited.

On sunny days, the old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, with narrow and colourful streets, attracts numerous walkers and comes alive with its café terraces and its restaurants offering local specialities.

The Saint-Pierre chapel, near the fishing port, was decorated by Jean Cocteau in 1957. The citadel, built in the 16th century to protect the natural harbour, hosts museums and temporary exhibitions.

This picturesque village of the Upper Var, perched at an altitude of 800 metres, presents an exceptional panoramic view of the coast.

Surrounded by vegetation and hills covered with forests, this lake 430 hectares in size, is a very popular place for carp fishing. The Saint-Cassien lake also offers the possibility to practice water activities, such as windsurfing, pedalos, swimming, and rowing.

Authenticity and relaxed pace of life perfectly represent the Middle-Country: hills and mountains, abrupt cliffs, green forests, the wild Loup gorges, picturesque fortified hilltop villages, fields of olive trees and flowers... It is also a real paradise for hiking, mountain biking, hang-gliding, and fishing.

On the hills of Nice, the mount Chauve reaching 854 metres at its highest point height, offers an incredible view of the coast.