Day Trip Grasse Gourdon Tourettes Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Start your adventure with the discovery of Grasse, listed in November 2018 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO for its ancestral know-how in the art of perfumery.

Stroll through the picturesque streets of this medieval town, once famous for its tannery workshops, before diving into the world of perfume by visiting the mythical Fragonard factory. This historic house is one of 60 local businesses specializing in transforming flowers into precious species.

Discover how the iconic flowers of the Pays de Grasse – lavender, myrtle, jasmine, rose, wild orange blossom, mimosa – made this city the perfume capital of the world.

After this fragrant stopover, head to the hilltop village of Gourdon.

Suspended at an altitude of 758 metres between the Alps and the Mediterranean, this medieval jewel offers a spectacular panorama. Discover its imposing fortress and the castle built in the 8th century by Saracens, witnesses of a rich strategic past.

From this headland, we quickly understand the importance of its dominant position: control of the Wolf Valley, views of the Mediterranean coast and direct access to the Alps. All these assets made Gourdon a point of covetousness, from medieval times until the clashes of the Second World War, when German armies also took an interest.

After the dizzying experience in the perched eagle of Gourdon, cap sur Tourrettes-sur-Loup, authentic Provencal and medieval village.

Stroll through its narrow alleys, explore its carved vaults, stairs, porches and lintels, and dive into the architectural ingenuity of this walled village. Built on a cliffside, the houses hug the rock to the edge of the ravines, forming a real natural wall against past invasions — from the Huns to the Saracens, passing through the Savoy, Grimaldi and Counts of Provence.

Don’t miss the church of Saint-Gregoire, dating from the 12th century, witness to the religious and artistic history of the place.

Finally, let yourself be seduced by the violet, an emblematic flower of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, which you can admire, photograph and even find in local crafts.

Last stop: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, artistic jewel perched between sky and sea.

Enter the enchanting world of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a mythical village where the greatest artists of the 20th century — painters, poets, writers and sculptors — found inspiration. This timeless place, bathed in light and beauty, has become a true sanctuary of artistic creation.

Enjoy the breathtaking views from its rocky outcrop, between the Alps and the Mediterranean, to capture spectacular panoramas.

Once a military fortress coveted by the powers of Provence and Italy, Saint-Paul-de-Vence still retains its ramparts, built on the orders of King Francis I, which testify to its strategic past.

Don’t miss the emblematic La Colombe d’Or hostel, now a renowned hotel-restaurant, where the walls are decorated with original works by masters such as Picasso, Matisse, Miró, Modigliani, Braque, Fernand Léger and Marc Chagall.