When you visit the beautiful French Riviera, you immediately expect sun, beaches, Dolce Vita… But sometimes, especially during the famous Film Festival, rainy days can occurs.
In this article, Riviera Luxury Rentals give you some great activities and visits to make the most of these days.
1) Grasse perfume factories visit :
Just 20 minutes away from Cannes, Grasse is the city of flowers and by extension, the city of perfume.
There are 3 factories you can get a tour for free :
Fragonard : born in 1926, the factory was only supposed to sell some homemade perfumes, soaps and eau de toilette. Then as we go along, they created a museum exhibiting some perfume’s art objects and Fragonard himself paintings.
Nowadays, you can visit the museum and the factory with a guide (French, English, Spanish and Italian speaking) who will explain the art of perfume’s manufacturing and all the derivative products.
The tour end with the gift shop where you can buy some souvenirs.
Molinard : Created in 1849 by Hyacinthe Molinard a flowers water seller, the company will quickly become popular and attract wealthy clients like the Queen Victoria. Molinard will distinguish itself by going into partnership with big names like Baccarat (Worldwide renown for their glassware) for the creation of the small bottle.
Nowadays the house offers several olfactives experiences :
1. Fragrance’s bar : 20mins olfactive workshop where all of your senses will be awake, you will associate several essences to create your own fragrance.
2. Perfume workshop : an expert will guide you through the suttle art of perfume’s creation during an hour. At the end, you will return home with your tailored perfume
3. Parfmier’s villa : an olfactive experience with more than 100 essences and 2 hours to create your fragrance.
Gallimard : Jean de Gallimard opened the factory in 1747, after being a glove maker his whole life. He decided to create and manufacture perfume and ointments with Grasse’s flowers. He managed to introduce his products at the king’s Louis XV court.
The fabrication of today’s product remain unchanged, flowers are still harvested in Grasse.
The factory is open for the public, you can see the old manufacturing machines, discover the secrets of distillation and of course create your own fragrance.
2. Florian’s candy factory
30mins away from Cannes, you can discover how flowers and fruits of the French Riviera are turned into candies.
Born in 1921 in Nice, Florian was renowned for being an excellent chocolatier (Painter Matisse favorite). Many years later the candy factory opened in “Pont du Loup”, a small and quiet village in Grasse’s hinterland.
Nowadays, you can visit the factory with a guide, discover how the candies and cookies are made and enjoy the beautiful garden near the river Siagne and surrounded by mountains.
The shop sells all the products made in the factory and we suggest roses and violets candies.
3. Carlton tea time
The famous hotel that came into existence thanks to a forbidden Romeo and Juliet type of love story in 1913.
Enhanced over the years, you can now enjoy a quiet tea time in the Camelia Tea Lounge, away from the buzz and the rain, you’ll have a large range of tea, pastries and beverages.
Nothing is leave to chance in this Palace, the Camelia Lounge was designed to be a safe and luxurious heaven for travellers, with its comfy sofas and armchairs, soft classical music playing and the amazing staff taking personal care of each clients, you’ll feel at home.
From 3pm to 6pm – no reservations needed
4. Casino Barriere Le Croisette – Cannes
Directly established in the Palais des Festivals, this casino is the perfect place to take shelter during rainy episodes in the Riviera. Here you will loose track of time, enjoy the slot machines, the particular atmosphere and for the poker players, you will be thrilled.
Indeed, Le Croisette host some of the best poker contests in the world.
Make sure to have some identity card and enjoy !
5. Circus Party – For kids – Mougins
The perfect place to entertain kids instead of waiting for the rain to stop, The Circus Party is where all the fun is :
- 1800m2 of play : from 6 months old to 14 years old, slides, football field, treetop adventure course, zipline, sled piste, trampoline, karting, bouncy castle and more…
- Circus Grimp : perfect room to learn how to climb on different objects : fake trees, geometric’s forms…
6. Monaco’s Aquarium – Monaco
Welcome to the most beautiful Museum of the French Riviera : The oceanographic museum of Monaco.
Only 1h from Cannes, go discover different kinds of fishes, sharks, rays and more…
Do some animations (kids and adults !) like : Live an unique experience in a private and educational room. You will be escorted by an experience guide to really learn about seashore animals : crabs, starfish ect… Everyone knows them but.. do we ? Go find out !
Want some adventures ? Experienced the Escape Game of the museum : embark on the famous Princess Alice II boat, Prince Albert the first laboratory to live a space time travel.
You will have to rummage through, break codes ect…
The Little big Whale story : with virtuality glasses, discover the poetic history of the old sperm whale and its travels in the ocean, until it encountered humans.
A true immersive experience.
7. Cap 3000 – Saint-Laurent-Du-Var
Is there anything better than doing some shopping during a day where the weather is not merciful ?
The famous mall « Cap 3000 » is the perfect place to do window shopping (or real shopping), eat, have a drink and enjoy the warmth of this place.
There’s a lot more fun experiences to enjoy during a rainy day in the French Riviera, there’s never a dull moment here.
Don’t hesitate to contact us so we can arrange the visits for you !
