So Nice Tours - Provence & French Riviera

28/04/2026

In the hills above the Mediterranean, the town of Grasse has long been celebrated as the world capital of perfume. Here, the history of perfume is inseparable from a very small number of botanical treasures. Among the thousands of rose varieties cultivated around the world, only two have truly secured a lasting place in the raw materials of fine perfumery: the Rosa damascena, mostly grown in Bulgaria and Turkey, and the Rosa centifolia (the “hundred-petaled rose”), also known as the May rose, which has found in Grasse an ideal terroir. The region’s mild climate, abundant sunshine, and well-drained soils created the perfect conditions for cultivating roses with a rich and complex aromatic profile. As a result of this unique terroir and the historical specialization of Grasse in perfumery, Rosa centifolia is also commonly referred to as the “Rose de Grasse”.
The bloom of the Rosa centifolia is both fleeting and precious. Each May, the harvest briefly transforms the landscape around Grasse. The flowers are picked by hand at dawn, when their scent is at its most intense. The yield remains extremely low: several tons of petals are needed to produce just one kilogram of rose absolute. This rarity explains both the high cost and the enduring prestige of Grasse rose in haute parfumerie.
Today, major perfume houses continue to source Rosa centifolia from the region of Grasse, maintaining close relationships with local growers. The “Rose de Grasse” is far more than a simple crop—it represents a living heritage shaped by centuries of agricultural adaptation, technical refinement, and artistic creation. This heritage is not confined to history books: in the surrounding countryside, visitors can still witness it firsthand, as fields of roses bloom each spring, offering a sensory landscape that has changed little over time.

22/01/2026

Who said you have to choose between the sea and the mountains? Only 1.5 hours from Nice, the French Riviera turns into a winter fantasy!

07/09/2025

Two s***m whales plunging into the depths beneath the windows of Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum yesterday.

15/05/2025

13/05/2025

In May, the French Riviera rolls out the red carpet: Cannes crowns its movie stars, Monaco roars with Formula 1 kings.

But up in the hills of Grasse, far from the spotlight and the speed, another queen quietly takes her throne. She doesn’t need cameras or engines—her scent alone conquers the world: the May rose.

Every spring, she reigns over blooming fields, muse of perfumers and queen of petals.

Stroll along blooming flower fields and uncover the secrets of perfume-making in one of Grasse’s historic factories with the carefully crafted tour of the backcountry by So Nice Tours.

01/11/2024

Antibes is a blend of old-world charm and natural beauty. The historic Old Town is encircled by 16th-century ramparts, with cobbled streets that lead to the Picasso Museum, housed in the ancient Château Grimaldi. The museum holds many works by Picasso, who lived in Antibes in the 1940s. A place where every visit feels like you've stepped into a page of history!







— à Antibes Juan Les Pins, the French Riviera, France.

07/08/2024

The picturesque town of Grasse, nestled in the hills of the French Riviera, is world-renowned as the perfume capital of the world. One of the key ingredients contributing to this reputation is Jasminum grandiflorum, also known as "royal jasmine", introduced to Grasse in the 17th century. Prized for its strong and sweet scent, it quickly became a favorite among perfumers. Nowadays, the streets of Grasse celebrate the one we call “LA fleur” (THE flower) and its significance to the region.
Jasmine plants bloom from July to October, producing delicate white flowers that must be harvested by hand. This labor-intensive process is carried out early in the morning, when the flowers are at their most fragrant. Each flower is carefully plucked to ensure it remains intact, preserving its essential oils. Collected in wicker baskets, the flowers are immediately transported to local perfumeries to begin the extraction process.
If you visit the Fench Riviera, join So Nice Tours during the harvest season for a fragrant and memorable glimpse into the heart of the perfume industry in Grasse, gaining an intimate understanding of the intricate process from flower to fragrance.

28/06/2024

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8xlblhI7gq/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Provence is renowned for its stunning landscapes, charming villages, and, perhaps most famously, its vibrant lavender fields.
The sight of these purple fields stretching to the horizon, often set against the backdrop of rustic stone buildings and rolling hills, is a feast for the eyes and a delight for photographers. The scent of lavender permeates the air, creating a sensory experience that is both relaxing and invigorating.
So Nice Tours takes you from the French Riviera for a day excursion to the lavender fields of Provence : a magical experience that will leave a lasting impression!