ExpoRose
Grasse, capital of perfume, adorns itself with thousands of roses every May
About ExpoRose
The May Rose in the Spotlight Since 1973
ExpoRose was born in 1973 in Grasse, a city recognized as the world capital of perfume. This annual event pays homage to Rosa centifolia, also known as the May rose, cultivated with passion in the Grasse region since the 17th century. Alongside Rosa damascena, it provides perfumers with an exceptional raw material, prized for its unique, delicate, and captivating fragrance. ExpoRose celebrates this living heritage through a festive, cultural, and artistic event.
A City Transformed into a Garden
For four days, Grasse transforms into a breathtakingly beautiful ephemeral garden. Over 8,500 roses in bouquets are displayed in the streets, 13,000 rose bushes are offered for sale, and 25,000 cut roses adorn fountains, squares, and monuments. The Cours Honoré Cresp hosts the rose market and stalls offering gourmet and fragrant products. The cathedral, the Villa Fragonard, the museums, the Botanical Garden, and the Place aux Aires are all decorated and enlivened for the occasion.
An Artistic and Cultural Program
Each edition of ExpoRose revolves around an artistic theme, presented through a rich and varied program. The streets and squares of the historic center host street performances, dance, theater, and music performances in an artistic whirlwind. Creative workshops allow the public to learn how to make floral confections with the Florian confectionery, floral painting, or perfume creation. Guided tours of the gardens and rose fields complete the program.
An Event Rooted in Grasse's Heritage
ExpoRose is fully integrated into the intangible cultural heritage of Grasse, whose perfume-related know-how has been inscribed on the UNESCO list since 2018. The event is placed under the artistic direction of a designer renewed each year — the 53rd edition in 2025 was entrusted to Éric Monvoisin. By highlighting the May rose and the artisans who cultivate it, ExpoRose contributes to the preservation of a unique cultural ecosystem, where agriculture, craftsmanship, perfumery, and the arts mutually nourish each other.
Practical Information
The event is organized by the City of Grasse and benefits from the support of local perfume houses, nursery owners, and artists. Entry is free for all street animations, markets, and open-air performances. Some guided tours and workshops may require prior registration.
ExpoRose — edition 2026
The 54th edition of ExpoRose takes place from May 8 to 10, 2026, in Grasse, the world capital of perfume, on the theme « A Desire for Escape ». Actress Marie-Anne Chazel, a prominent figure from the Splendid troupe, is its patron. For three days, over 25,000 cut roses adorn fountains, squares, and alleys of the historic center, where an international exhibition, a rose market, dance shows, sensory trails, and workshops centered around the May rose alternate.
« A Desire for Escape » — a sensory journey around the rose
For this 54th edition, ExpoRose invites its visitors on a journey through world cultures. Grasse's historic center transforms into a floral and artistic trail, punctuated by monumental installations and scenographies inspired by major perfume destinations (Bulgaria, India, Morocco, Iran…). The edition's patron, actress Marie-Anne Chazel, officially launches the event during the inauguration evening on Thursday, May 7, at 6 PM, at Cours Honoré Cresp.
A grand floral trail through the city
Over 25,000 cut roses are arranged in the streets, squares, and gardens of the historic center. The Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard serves as the entry and ticket control point; it also hosts the international rose exhibition, open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM, featuring floral creations from around the world. Cours Honoré Cresp houses the traditional rose market (artisans, producers, rose growers, designers, and gourmet chalets), from 10 AM to 8 PM. The Jardin des Plantes, Place aux Aires, and Médiathèque Charles Nègre complete the animation venues.
A rich artistic program
Itinerant shows, dance performances, concerts, and contemporary creations punctuate the three days. Among the announced highlights: Songe de Prométhée by Compagnie La Salamandre on Friday evening, an excerpt from the repertoire of Compagnie Hervé Koubi on Saturday, and the ballet Les Roses Voyageuses by the Jeune Ballet Méditerranéen on Sunday. Fashion designer Denis Durand signs the clothing creations for this edition. Open-air screenings (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Up, The Braid, À bicyclette) extend the travel theme, and a musical tribute to Michel Legrand is offered on Sunday.
Workshops, tours, and family activities
Creative workshops for adults and children, guided tours of Grasse's heritage — including the tour « Où court l'eau » on the history of fountains, Friday, May 8, at 3 PM from the Maison du Patrimoine — as well as a commemorative passport to stamp along the route complete the offer. The Fédération des Entrepreneurs Grassois (FEG) distributes 2,000 roses to customers of partner businesses and at the Auchan hypermarket, while supplies last.
Programme ExpoRose 2026
- 6:00 PM — Official inauguration at Cours Honoré Cresp in the presence of patron Marie-Anne Chazel. Opening performances by Compagnie Anata and a set by DJ Cassonade.
Friday, May 8, 2026 — 10 AM to 8 PM
- 10 AM–8 PM — International rose exhibition · Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- 10 AM–8 PM — Rose market, artisans, producers, and gourmet chalets · Cours Honoré Cresp
- 3:00 PM — Guided tour « Où court l'eau » on the fountains of Grasse · departure from Maison du Patrimoine
- Afternoon — Itinerant shows and dance performances in the historic center · students from Création Danse school at Jardin des Plantes
- 9:15 PM — Songe de Prométhée · Compagnie La Salamandre · evening show
- Evening — Latin concert and fire show · open-air screening The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Saturday, May 9, 2026 — 10 AM to 8 PM
- 10 AM–8 PM — International rose exhibition · Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- 10 AM–8 PM — Rose market · Cours Honoré Cresp
- All day — Creative workshops for adults and children (floral arrangement, painting, perfume) · presentation of Denis Durand fashion creations
- 5:00 PM — Excerpt from the repertoire of Compagnie Hervé Koubi
- Evening — Open-air screenings Up and The Braid
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — 10 AM to 8 PM
- 10 AM–8 PM — International rose exhibition · Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- 10 AM–8 PM — Rose market · Cours Honoré Cresp
- All day — Musical entertainment and tribute to Michel Legrand
- 6:00 PM — Les Roses Voyageuses · Jeune Ballet Méditerranéen · final show
- Evening — Open-air screening À bicyclette
Program reconstructed from official sources consulted (City of Grasse, Mayor Jérôme Viaud's blog, Pays de Grasse Tourisme, local press). Some precise timings could vary depending on weather and last-minute announcements.
Highlights ExpoRose 2026
- 54th edition on the theme « A Desire for Escape » — a sensory journey through world cultures
- Patron: Marie-Anne Chazel (Le Splendid)
- Over 25,000 cut roses in Grasse's historic center
- International rose exhibition at Villa-Musée Fragonard (creations from around the world)
- Final ballet Les Roses Voyageuses by the Jeune Ballet Méditerranéen
- 2,000 roses offered by the FEG to customers of partner businesses
Prices ExpoRose 2026
Practical information — ExpoRose
Access
ExpoRose takes place in the historic center of Grasse, mainly on Cours Honoré Cresp, Place aux Aires, Villa Fragonard, and the Botanical Garden.
- By car: A8 motorway, exit 42 (Grasse). Free park-and-ride facilities with shuttle buses.
- By train: Grasse SNCF station (Cannes-Grasse line), a 15-minute walk away.
- By bus: Regular lines from Cannes and Nice (Envibus and Zou!).
Prices
Free admission for all open-air animations, markets, and performances. Some workshops require registration.
Opening Hours
From Thursday to Sunday, approximately 10 am to 6 pm (times vary depending on the activities).
Contact
- Tourist Office: 04 93 36 66 66
- Website: www.ville-grasse.fr/exporose
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — ExpoRose
Centre historique de Grasse
Cours Honoré Cresp, Centre historique, 06130 Grasse