Domaine de la Xavolière: Luxury and Sensory Escape in the Heart of Grasse
- Olivier
- Aug 5
- 7 min read
Experience an unforgettable stay at an exclusive guest house. Where luxury meets artisanal savoir-faire. Nestled atop the dazzling heights of the Côte d’Azur.
A Sanctuary of Serenity and Elegance
Perched 600 meters above sea level in the heart of Grasse, just 10 minutes from the world’s perfume capital, Domaine de la Xavolière welcomes you to an exclusive retreat blending French art de vivre, beauty, and tranquility. Each stay is curated to delight your senses and enhance your discovery of the region.
Enjoy our heated pool with panoramic mountain views, a spacious floodlit pétanque court for authentic Provençal evenings, and scenic hiking trails directly accessible from the estate. For sports enthusiasts, tennis, golf, gliding, and canyoning are available nearby.
Sensory Immersion in Grasse: The Perfume Kingdom
Step into the legendary world of scents and haute parfumerie! The perfume traditions of Grasse, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, masterfully blend innovation and heritage. During your stay, explore iconic sites and the olfactory secrets that have made our region world-renowned.
The Essential Perfumery Destinations of Grasse
International Perfume Museum
The only museum globally dedicated to perfume history, ancestral techniques, and creative artistry. Immerse yourself in 4,000 years of fragrance: rare waters, collectible bottles, mythical raw materials, and interactive workshops. The museum’s experimental garden is a botanical gem, cultivating Grasse’s most iconic perfume plants. Guided tours are offered year-round for a deep dive into the fragrant arts. Location: 2 Bd du Jeu de Ballon, Grasse | Visit site
Fragonard Perfumery
A Symbol of French Family Savoir-Faire Since 1926: visit the historic factory, explore the educational garden, and leave with an iconic fragrance. Founded in 1926, Fragonard is one of Grasse’s most emblematic perfume houses. Still family-owned, Fragonard stands out for the quality and creativity of its perfumes, offering legendary creations such as “Belle de Nuit,” “Étoile,” and the best-selling “Fleur d’Oranger.” Fragonard’s reputation extends worldwide: their fragrances are exported to over 80 countries, embodying the excellence of Grasse’s perfume-making tradition. The historic factory and its public workshops are must-visit destinations to discover the magic of distillation and enfleurage. The site also features an educational garden and a boutique presenting the entire range of Fragonard creations. This immersive visit makes Fragonard a true ambassador of perfume tourism in Grasse.
La Fabrique des Fleurs, located on the southern edge of the city, offers free guided tours, where you can witness every step in the perfume-making process and discover time-honored techniques like steam distillation. The tour walks guests through the entire production journey. From weighing essences to bottling. Revealing the art behind olfactory composition.
Free guided tours available daily | 🔗usines-parfum.fragonard.com
Molinard Perfumery
Creator of the legendary “Habanita,” Molinard has been sharing its passion for perfume since 1849. Don’t miss the personalized workshop experience. Compose your very own signature scent. The iconic “Habanita,” launched in 1921, is one of the world’s very first oriental fragrances for women. As an independent French maison, Molinard’s story is intertwined with five generations of dedicated perfumers, each passing down a legacy built on creative passion.
A tour of the historic bastide will immerse you in the world of artisanal perfumery. Take part in a hands. On workshop and create your own unique fragrance. A fun and enriching journey into the art of scent.
🕰 Workshops by reservation | molinard.com
Galimard Perfumery
Founded in 1747, Galimard perfectly balances authenticity and innovation. Take part in immersive workshops and explore three centuries of perfume creation. Iconic fragrances such as “Colonel,” “Violette,” and “Mille Fleurs” are celebrated for their originality. Recognized with international awards, Galimard proudly shares its legacy through engaging, educational workshops that trace three centuries of scented artistry. Open to everyone. You can also enjoy custom workshops and discover the natural raw materials that make up fine perfumes.
🕰 Free tours, workshops by reservation | galimard.com
Geodora Perfumery
Discover the art of haute parfumerie alongside creator Gérard Gatti. Enjoy bilingual workshops (FR/EN) and an introduction to the world of natural ingredients. Nestled on a one-hectare estate in Montauroux, in the heart of the Grasse region, the founder of GEODORA invites you to a sensory immersion. Exploring the finest natural materials and their role in exceptional perfume creation.
🤲 2 hour Workshop | Embark on a fragrant journey and create your dream perfume in Gérard Gatti’s atelier-laboratory and garden. Advance booking required:
At the Heart of Flowers: Grasse's Exceptional Estates
The richness of Grasse lies in its fragrant flower fields, lovingly cultivated for generations by passionate families:
Domaine de Manon
This family-owned estate has been cultivating exceptional perfume flowers for four generations. Domaine de Manon is devoted to growing the iconic Rose de Mai and Jasmine Grandiflorum, jewels of the Grasse perfume industry. Their expertise is recognized with the prestigious Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label. The harvests of Centifolia rose and Jasmine Grandiflorum are exclusively reserved for the house of Christian Dior. Join a guided visit to discover these legendary flowers and the artisanal know-how behind them. Tours are available during the blooming season. May for roses, and from August to early October for jasmine and Tubereuse. By reservation.🔗 domainedemanongrasse.com
Domaine Terre de Jasmin
This family-run estate is dedicated to preserving the region’s floral heritage, especially jasmine, Centifolia rose, and tuberose. Renowned for its sustainable farming practices, Terre de Jasmin also focuses on educating visitors about the craft of perfume flower cultivation. Their blooms are used to create prestigious fragrances for fine perfumery. Olfactory workshops. Available by reservation: offer a complete immersion into transforming flowers into exquisite essences. 🕰 Tours available by reservation from May to October |
Domaine de la Rose – Lancôme
Spanning 7 hectares of biodiversity, with organic farming practices and both sensory and botanical workshops for all ages, Lancôme’s Domaine de la Rose is a unique sanctuary in Grasse. Acquired and fully renovated by Lancôme in 2020, this estate is organically farmed and features the eco-designed Maison de la Rose, establishing the Domaine as a haven of biodiversity and a living innovation lab.
Through the Domaine de la Rose, Lancôme is committed to preserving and sharing the natural and cultural heritage of perfumery, while actively promoting Grasse’s renowned expertise, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. As an experimental haven for growing Centifolia roses, the estate collaborates closely with major perfume houses, including Chanel, and supports the development of sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard this rare flower. Harvesting is done entirely by hand to preserve the exceptional quality of the petals. The visit experience includes botanical trails and sensory workshops, inviting visitors of all ages to discover the enchanting world of roses.
Visits: Guided tours are available by reservation. Please contact the estate for the latest information.🔗 lancome.fr/domaine-de-la-rose
Unique Olfactory Paths and Experiences
Les Chemins Parfumés
Meet growers, artisans, and perfumers during themed tours and exclusive UNESCO-labeled workshops.
Conservatoire du Patrimoine du Pays de Grasse
Exhibitions, workshops, and educational trails focused on floral traditions and the craft of perfumery. This interpretation center showcases the rich cultural and agricultural heritage of the Grasse region. Explore permanent exhibitions on local know-how, educational journeys about flower cultivation, and the art of perfume-making. The conservatory offers a year-round program of workshops, themed walks, and events highlighting seasonal blooms. It plays a key role in passing down traditions to younger generations and visitors from around the world.
🎓 Free entry | 22 rue de l’Oratoire, Grasse🔗 paysdegrassetourisme.fr
La Bastide du Parfumeur
This exceptional botanical garden features over 2,000 varieties of perfume plants in a preserved natural setting. A center for conservation, experimentation, and knowledge-sharing, La Bastide du Parfumeur offers captivating guided tours exploring raw materials and production cycles. It also serves as a training center for the future professionals of the fragrance industry. Its dedication to preserving Grasse’s botanical heritage is highly acclaimed in the perfume world.
Gourmet Treasures & Living Heritage
Mas de l’Olivine
Located in Peymeinade, Mas de l’Olivine is a family-run estate specializing in the cultivation of perfume flowers and their transformation into artisanal confections: rose, jasmine, and lavender delicacies, with flower-based sweet treats included in the tasting experience! 🔗 masdelolivine.fr
La Lavanderaie de Marie – Maison Galimard
In Gourdon, La Lavanderaie de Marie, managed by Maison Galimard, offers a true immersion into the world of fragrance plants. Stroll among the lavender fields with breathtaking panoramas and shop a boutique of exceptional products.
Free entry | 🔗 galimard.com
Bastide Isnard
A historic property in the Pays de Grasse for four centuries, Bastide Isnard continues the tradition of perfume flower cultivation. Beyond its rose and jasmine crops, this family estate showcases heritage buildings and remarkable listed gardens. Enjoy workshops and sensory trails that bring the ancient Isnard family traditions to life. The estate, labeled “Remarkable Garden,” works closely with prestigious perfume houses. Discover remarkable gardens, sensory workshops, and guided tours. 🔗 olivedenice-aop.com/bastide-isnard
Coopérative Nérolium
A historic property in the Pays de Grasse for four centuries, Bastide Isnard continues the tradition of perfume flower cultivation. Beyond its rose and jasmine crops, this family estate showcases heritage buildings and remarkable listed gardens. Enjoy workshops and sensory trails that bring the ancient Isnard family traditions to life. The estate, labeled “Remarkable Garden,” works closely with prestigious perfume houses. Discover remarkable gardens, sensory workshops, and guided tours. 🔗 olivedenice-aop.com/bastide-isnard
Confiserie Florian
Founded in 1949, Confiserie Florian is nestled between the rushing streams of the Gorges du Loup and the mountains of the Grasse hinterland. This celebrated confectionery transforms the region’s fruits and flowers into exquisite treats.
Discover Local Excellence & Artisanal Ventures.
The "Les Fleurs d’Exception du Pays de Grasse" association is dedicated to promoting and showcasing the floral and plant productions of the Pays de Grasse. The association regularly organizes events and guided tours, inviting the public to discover the rich heritage of the region’s Perfume, Aromatic, and Medicinal Plants (PPAM) sector.
From organic flower cultivation and training new farmers, to supporting the Pays de Grasse Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), leading the Aromatic Fablab, and energizing the entire sector, the association is a driving force for innovation and preservation. Discover all the initiatives and resources on the "Les Fleurs d’Exception du Pays de Grasse" website:
Immersive Experiences: Create Your Signature Perfume!
Join a perfume creation workshop at one of Grasse’s great parfumeries. Crafted by experts, your personalized fragrance is the perfect souvenir.
Plan Your Exceptional Stay at Domaine de la Xavolière
Perfectly situated for exploring Grasse, our estate combines the tranquility of a luxury guest house with proximity to the region’s premier perfumers and flower fields. For high season, we recommend booking your visits and workshops early. Stéphanie will tailor your personalized itinerary based on seasonal blooms and your own interests.
Book Your Luxury Escape on the Côte d’Azur
Indulge in an extraordinary sensory getaway, captivating scents, dreamlike landscapes, and Grasse’s living traditions await you.
👉 For more details or to reserve, visit: domainedelaxavoliere.com
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the unrivaled magic and art de vivre of Grasse.
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