Grasse & Surroundings
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The hills behind the Riviera were made for curious minds and restless legs. Whether you're chasing butterflies through gorges, learning how perfume is made, or watching kids lose themselves in a medieval village, this corner of Provence delivers the kind of family memories that outlast any beach holiday. Here's where to start.
Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne
Cave exploration · Treetop adventure · Kids park
Ages 3 and up · Full day possibleOne of the Riviera's best-kept family secrets: a full day of adventure in a stunning wooded estate just 15 minutes from Grasse. Descend 40 metres underground to discover a cathedral of glowing stalactites, rosy concretions and a spectacular fluorescent waterfall — then emerge into the sunshine for acrobranche, electric quad bikes, trampolines and a bouncy castle. Pack a picnic and stay all day.
Grasse
Acrobranche · Tyroliennes · Panoramic views
Ages 4 and up · Half or full dayPerched on the hills above Grasse with breathtaking views stretching from Nice to the Îles de Lérins, Riviera Nature is a superb outdoor adventure park for all the family. Eight colour-coded circuits wind through the trees from gentle beginner trails (1.5 m high) right up to the longest zipline in Grasse at 100 metres. The picnic area is shaded, the staff are warm and welcoming, and the setting is simply spectacular.
Grasse
Sensory workshop · Cultural experience · Free factory tours
Ages 4 and up · 20 min to 2 hoursGrasse is the perfume capital of the world — and its three legendary houses, Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard, all offer free factory tours and hands-on workshops where children can blend their very own fragrance. Molinard's "Petit Parfumeur" workshop is perfectly designed for young noses aged 4 to 8. Fragonard's free guided visits are fascinating for all ages, and their mini atelier lets kids create their own Eau de Cologne to take home.
Gourdon · Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Scenic canyon · Waterfall walks · Village exploring
All ages · 2–4 hoursOne of the most dramatic landscapes in the entire region, the Gorges du Loup cuts a deep limestone canyon between the villages of Tourrettes-sur-Loup and the eagle's-nest village of Gourdon. Children are mesmerised by the waterfalls, gorge pools and towering cliffs. The road through the gorge is an adventure in itself — stop at the Cascade de Courmes and explore the canyon floor before rewarding the family with ice cream in Gourdon's tiny village square.
Mougins · Sophia-Antipolis
Forest park · Lake swimming · Walking trails
All ages · Free entry · 2–5 hoursA 700-hectare natural forest park stretching between Mougins and Sophia-Antipolis, La Valmasque is the area's great outdoor playground. There are miles of shaded walking and cycling trails, a beautiful lake perfect for summer paddling, and open meadows where children can simply run free. It's peaceful, completely free to enter, and only 20 minutes from the villas. Perfect for a lazy morning or a proper afternoon hike.
Montauroux · Tanneron
Lake swimming · Kayaking · Stand-up paddleboard
All ages · Half or full dayWhen the Riviera sun is at its fiercest, Saint-Cassien is the answer. This enormous emerald-green reservoir, set between Cannes and Grasse, offers calm warm waters ideal for families. Hire kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, swim from the gentle pebbly shores, or simply find a shaded spot and let the kids splash about for hours. The surrounding hills are carpeted with mimosa in February, making it a year-round destination worth returning to.
Grasse
Museum · Sensory discovery · Rainy day favourite
Ages 6 and up · Approx. 1.5 hoursThe world's finest museum dedicated to the art and history of perfume makes for a genuinely memorable rainy-day outing — and an educational one at that. Housed across three buildings with a stunning rooftop terrace garden, the museum takes visitors from ancient Egyptian scent rituals to the modern fragrance industry, with plenty of interactive exhibits that let young visitors sniff, explore and discover. The gift shop is dangerously tempting.
Gourdon
Medieval village · Panoramic views · Local artisans
All ages · 1–2 hours · Free to exploreClinging to a sheer cliff 760 metres above the sea, Gourdon is one of the most dramatic villages in all of Provence — and children absolutely love it. The approach road is spectacular, the views from the village walls stretch all the way to the Mediterranean, and the tiny cobbled streets are lined with artisan boutiques selling honey, lavender, local pottery and olive oil. Pack a picnic and eat on the ramparts with the whole Côte d'Azur spread out below you.
Twenty years on the Côte d'Azur — and still finding things nobody thought to write down. Real stories, real places, zero filter.
Riviera Reality
You researched. You planned. You packed light. The Côte d'Azur has a different agenda entirely — and it will not be negotiating.
It gets better. →
Life on the Riviera
Vicky is an English Setter of considerable beauty and absolutely zero courage. Lilou has never met a stranger. Every outing is an event.
It gets better. →
Cannes Life
Champagne with George Lucas, Karl Lagerfeld at dawn, Pete Doherty in a state, ten festivals a year — and the restaurant that told Hollywood to wait.
It gets better. →
My Story
I came to France for a summer. I stayed for twenty years. I let destiny decide — destiny picked Cannes. Obviously.
It gets better. →