Every year on the first weekend of August, the annual Jasmine Festival – Fête du Jasmin – takes place in the beautiful medieval town of Grasse. Enjoy dances, music, concerts, exhibitions, processions and fireworks. All in honour of the city's gold – the perfume.
Jasminum grandiflorum
Jasminum grandiflorum has been cultivated in Grasse since the mid-19th century. It gives off an unforgettable scent; sweet, floral and fruity. The picking season lasts from August to October. Every day, the pickers find themselves in the fields and from 5 a.m., begin to pick out these delicate flowers with their captivating scent. It takes two hours to collect a kilo of these little white stars which must be delivered to the factories early in the afternoon to be processed immediately. For one liter of jasmine absolute – a treasure - you need eight kilos of flowers!
The 2024 Fête du Jasmin à Grasse
Every year since 1946, the town of Grasse has been celebrating jasmine and paying tribute to all its growers and creators. This is only natural in a city famous the world over for it's perfume. The 2024 event will be held on the 2-4 August, as is traditional. More details when we have them!
Review of the 2023 Fête de la Bière in Grasse
In the meantime, check out our review of the 2023 edition. The weekend of 4-6 August 2023 was, for sure, an eventful one:
With fireworks to start things off, this was the Programme from the 2023 Event:
Friday August 4
Music in the Cours Honoré Cresp
7 p.m.: The Music Course with Fred REBUFFO
From 9 p.m. to midnight: Foam party with Fred REBUFFO
10:15 p.m.: Fireworks by BGMA PYRO - RUGGIERI
Saturday August 5
The crazy city center - Free and for all audiences
Place Morel:
From 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Demonstration and introduction to Bachatta: Try this dance as beautiful as it is languorous with the Salsa Association Libertad
From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Fashion show of Upcycling dresses: Discover the fashion of tomorrow through a parade of recycled clothing on a floral theme with Odimée Edmée and her muse Elodie FATTER
Place aux Aires:
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Festival teaser de la Craie: In the presence of Jérémy BESSET with participation of the children
Strolls:
From 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.: Jazz Band du Cannet: A rhythmic stroll in joy and good humor
From 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Urban acrobats and Batucada: From their arrival on Grasse to their integration into the evening flower parade, the Marseillais guarantee thrills and atmosphere in all their performances.
Evening Events:
A bouncing Jasminade overture: Extraordinary opening show with street acrobats at 8:30 p.m. on the Cours Honoré Cresp
9 p.m.: Opening of the Floered Corso by the Provençals with Leï Baisso Luserno and the Felibrige association: Parade with sprinkling of jasmine water by the Grasse firefighters and distribution of flowers by Miss Grasse, Miss Pays de Grasse and her dauphines. Among the groups, come in large numbers to admire the luminous parades of Parfum de Jasmin – giant jasmine flowers, the flower women of Tropical Flower, La Crazy Team and the Batucada, the DIVA troop of RIO with its giant balloons, Les Flots Bleus will amaze young and old with their aquatic ballet, the multi-colored flag throwers, the riches of the Voiles du Nil and the Kingdom of the Elves troop will take you on a journey of escape.
Sunday August 6:
A day full of traditions - Princess Pauline Gardens
10 a.m.: Traditional Provençal mass: In the presence of the folk music group Lei Basso Luserno
Place du Petit Puy: 1:30 p.m.: 10th Edition of the Mondial Parfumé de Boules Carrées
Check out the Vibe
This video from the 2011 edition will give you an idea of what to expect from your visit:
How to Get there
By car: Take the A8 (from Aix en Provence), then exit on the RD 6185 (from Cannes) signed Grasse. If you are coming from the East, exit the A8 on the D2085 (from Nice). If you are coming from the Var, then use the D2562.
By train: Grasse station is the terminus of the Cannes-la-Bocca to Grasse Railway Line from Cannes. It is served by regional trains (TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) to Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Visit the TER website for timetables.
By bus: The best local bus service is the 500 route from Nice to Grasse. You can access the timetable here: https://www.cirm-manca.org/docpdf/lignenicegrasse.pdf
Resources
Accommodation
With a private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a luxury holiday home with fast internet in Montauroux; well positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is a great central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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