Every year in May, Grasse reconnects with what made it famous long before luxury boutiques and international perfumers arrived: the rose. The ExpoRose, the landmark event of the Pays de Grasse, brought thousands of visitors together for its 54th edition around a theme that felt particularly resonant in 2026 — Envie d'évasion, a longing for escape.

For guests staying at Hôtel du Clos, in the village of Le Rouret, twenty minutes by road from Grasse, the ExpoRose is not a detour — it is a reason to come. And if you missed it this year, now is exactly the right time to start thinking about 2027.

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ExpoRose 2026: What the Envie d'évasion Edition Looked Like

From 8 to 10 May 2026, the grounds of the Château de Mouans-Sartoux and the gardens of the Villa Fragonard hosted an edition built around the idea of inner travel. The theme Envie d'évasion guided florists, landscape designers and perfumers in their creations — plant-based compositions that invited visitors to stop, breathe and slow down.

Among the highlights: the corso floral, a flower-covered parade that winds through the streets of Grasse and briefly turns the town into a living garden. It is a visual and olfactory spectacle at once, concentrating in a few hours everything that makes the Pays de Grasse so singular. Children watch it wide-eyed, adults photograph it relentlessly — and everyone leaves with something lodged in their memory, and in their senses.

The Villa Fragonard, historic home of the painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard, provided an exceptional setting for the floral exhibitions. Its terraced gardens, beautiful in any season, take on a different quality when filled with hundreds of rose varieties.

Emblematic partner of the edition, the Domaine de la Rose by Lancôme brought a fine-perfumery dimension to the event — a presence that underlines what Grasse truly is: not just a town of flowers, but the world capital of perfume.

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Staying at Hôtel du Clos for ExpoRose: The Right Choice

ExpoRose draws visitors from across Europe every year. Accommodation in Grasse itself fills up early, and the weekend crowds can work against the contemplative atmosphere the event deserves.

Staying at Hôtel du Clos, in the village of Le Rouret, means choosing something different: a Provençal bastide in the quiet hinterland, twenty minutes from the ExpoRose gardens. Breakfast in the calm of the morning. An easy return in the evening, away from the bustle. And in between — Grasse, its roses, its perfumers, its medieval lanes.

Book directly on the Hôtel du Clos website — May weekend availability goes quickly, and booking direct guarantees you the best conditions.

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ExpoRose in the Pays de Grasse: A Territory and an Identity

What sets ExpoRose apart from other floral events is its rootedness in a territory that both predates and outlasts it. Grasse and its surroundings do not become a festival backdrop for three days — they reveal what they always are.

The Pays de Grasse has a perfume culture stretching back to the 16th century, fields of centifolia roses and jasmine clinging to the hills of the Alpes-Maritimes, and perfume houses perpetuating a craft recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2018. ExpoRose is its collective celebration — but the substance is there all year round.

For travellers who want to go beyond the event itself, the Grasse hinterland rewards exploration: the hilltop villages of Gourdon and Tourrettes-sur-Loup, the perfumers' route, the village markets fragrant with lavender and honey. Hôtel du Clos is perfectly placed as a base for these excursions — between sea and hills, in the quiet of the heights.

(Further reading: our guide to the Fête du Jasmin in Grasse, another highlight of the Pays de Grasse floral calendar.)

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ExpoRose 2027: Plan Ahead Now

The 2026 edition has closed, but the next one is already taking shape. The 55th ExpoRose Grasse will take place in May 2027 — exact dates to be confirmed in autumn. The theme has yet to be announced, but the event follows a well-established rhythm: first weekend of May, Grasse in bloom, Pays de Grasse in celebration.

If you want to experience ExpoRose 2027 without the last-minute scramble for accommodation, the time to act is now. Hôtel du Clos accepts long-advance bookings — a room reserved today is a May 2027 weekend already secured.

For enquiries and direct bookings for ExpoRose 2027: https://www.secure-direct-hotel-booking.com/module_booking_engine/index.php?id_etab=6431ff8f407ffad3040de1edb97c623f&langue=francais&_gl=1*1bp4k9f*_gcl_au*MTU5MjIyNzExNi4xNzc2Njc1MzQw

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Practical Information — ExpoRose Grasse

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ExpoRose is one of the events that shapes our calendar at Hôtel du Clos. Each year, we help our guests with practical advice on timings, parking and what to combine with the visit. Feel free to get in touch before your stay — we know the region well, and we enjoy sharing it.

From 27 June to 15 November 2026, the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence hosts a landmark exhibition devoted to Ellsworth Kelly — one of the defining figures of twentieth-century American art. Titled At the Edge of Water, it explores for the first time the role of water in the work of an artist celebrated for his large-scale abstract paintings and steel sculptures. Fifteen minutes from Hôtel du Clos, Saint-Paul-de-Vence has rarely been so easy to reach — or this exhibition so well suited to a stay in the Grasse hinterland.

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An exhibition with deep roots in this place

What makes this show remarkable is the invisible thread connecting Ellsworth Kelly to this very site. Returning to France in 1948 on a G.I. Bill grant — Kelly had taken part in the Normandy landings — he exhibited at the Galerie Maeght in Paris before making repeated stays with the Maeght family in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. His friendship with Adrien Maeght lasted until the end of his life.

To visit At the Edge of Water at the Fondation Maeght is therefore to stand exactly where Kelly looked, walked and thought. The gardens designed by Josep Lluís Sert, the Miró Labyrinth, the Giacometti courtyard — the site itself is as much a part of the experience as the works hanging inside.

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Water as a way of seeing

"In my paintings I do not invent; my ideas come from a constant investigation of the appearance of things." This sentence of Kelly's captures the heart of the exhibition, conceived by guest curator Éric de Chassey, one of the leading authorities on the artist.

Throughout his life, Kelly was drawn to water: Belle-Île, the Côte d'Azur, New York, the Caribbean. Faced with water, he did not set out to paint a landscape — he sought to capture perception itself: the shifting light on a surface, the chromatic range of a particular hour, movement frozen in the line of a collage or the flat plane of a canvas.

The exhibition brings together drawings, collages, paintings and sculptures born of these years of aquatic observation. A thematic approach that has never been attempted before, and that offers a fresh perspective on a body of work too often reduced to its geometric and colourful surface.

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What to know before you visit

Dates: 27 June – 15 November 2026 Venue: Fondation Maeght, 623 chemin des Gardettes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence Opening hours: daily 10am – 6pm / 10am – 7pm in July and August Admission: €18 (full price) / €14 (concessions) / free for under-16s Tickets: fondation-maeght.com

The Fondation is showing a selection from its permanent collection alongside the exhibition — more than 13,000 works, including pieces by Miró, Giacometti, Chagall and Calder. Allow a full half-day, and resist the urge to rush.

Two musical events punctuate the summer programme: on 9 July, the Orchestre National de Cannes performs an evening concert in the Giacometti Courtyard; on 5 and 6 August, producer and DJ Gilles Peterson brings two jazz nights to the Miró Labyrinth. Rare evenings that weave music and architecture together in a setting few concert halls anywhere can match.

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From Hôtel du Clos: fifteen minutes away, and a world apart

Saint-Paul-de-Vence draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer. In July and August, the village fills quickly — queues form early, car parks reach capacity by mid-morning, and the narrow lanes become genuinely difficult to enjoy.

From Hôtel du Clos, in Le Rouret, you reach the Fondation in around fifteen minutes along hillside roads that wind through olive groves. You arrive early, ahead of the crowds. You leave when you choose. And in the evening you return to a quiet garden, a pool, and the long unhurried light of the Pays de Grasse settling over the hills.

There is also the advantage of an exhibition that runs until 15 November. There is no reason to visit at the height of August. In September or October, the village finds its rhythm again, the southern light changes character, and the galleries can be explored at whatever pace suits you.

Book your stay directly on our website — no intermediary — and ask us for suggestions on combining the exhibition with the other highlights of the hinterland. Check availability

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At the Edge of Water is not simply an opportunity to discover an unexpected dimension of Ellsworth Kelly's work. It is an invitation to experience this corner of the Côte d'Azur differently — to take the time that day-trippers rarely allow themselves. If you would like to extend the experience, the hilltop village of Gourdon, fourteen kilometres from Le Rouret, offers its own way of looking at the Provençal landscape: the gorges of the Loup below, the sea in the distance — another edge of water, seen from above.

ExpoRose 2026 in Grasse: the must-see floral event in the Grasse region

Every May, Grasse transforms into a showcase of petals and fragrance to host ExpoRose, the most iconic celebration in the world’s perfume capital. In 2026, the rose festival will take place from May 8 to 10, once again elevating the town with a spectacle unlike any other. More than 25,000 roses fill the streets, squares, and gardens of Grasse, creating a breathtaking floral display — a true festival of colors and scents. Over the course of one unforgettable weekend, the entire city dresses in its finest to welcome visitors from around the world on a unique journey into the realm of roses.

ExpoRose Grasse 2026: program and practical information

Access to ExpoRose 2026 begins at the Villa Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard, the perfect starting point to explore the floral and artistic installations spread throughout the town. Tickets are available in advance for just €3 (instead of €5) until May 6, 2026 — a great opportunity to plan your weekend with peace of mind. Tickets are flexible: once purchased, they are valid for the entire duration of the event, from May 8 to 10 inclusive.

ExpoRose Grasse hotel: make Hôtel du Clos au Rouret your ideal base

To fully enjoy ExpoRose 2026, choosing the right accommodation is essential. Hôtel du Clos au Rouret stands out as the ideal address for those looking to experience the event without compromise. Nestled in the heart of the Provençal village of Le Rouret, this charming hotel is ideally located less than 15 minutes from Grasse, making it one of the most convenient places to stay during ExpoRose. Enjoy the freedom to explore the fragrant streets of Grasse by day, then unwind in the peaceful setting of a Provençal retreat in the evening.

Book your ExpoRose Grasse stay now

May weekends in the Grasse region are highly sought after. To make sure you don’t miss ExpoRose 2026 and to enjoy your stay at Hôtel du Clos au Rouret under the best conditions, we recommend booking as early as possible — both for your tickets (advance sale until May 6, 2026 at €3) and your accommodation. Experience ExpoRose in Grasse like never before: senses awakened, eyes dazzled by 25,000 roses, and a light heart in one of the most beautiful corners of Provence. Find all practical information about the event on the Pays de Grasse Tourism website.

The Fête du Mimosa in Mandelieu-La Napoule returns from 11 to 15 February 2026 with a spectacular theme: "The Carnival of Carnivals!" Over 5 days, the mimosa capital of the world pays tribute to the most iconic carnivals on the planet through 12 floats representing Rio, Venice, New Orleans, Goa, Mexico's Dia de los Muertos, Barranquilla, Oruro, Cape Town, Chinese New Year, Basel, Dunkirk… and of course a nod to the neighbouring Riviera events: the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival.

🏨 Hôtel du Clos: your peaceful retreat just 30 minutes from the festivities Nestled in the charming village of Le Rouret, in the heart of the Grasse hinterland, Hôtel du Clos is the ideal base for enjoying the Fête du Mimosa in complete tranquillity. Just 30 minutes from Mandelieu-La Napoule and 20 minutes from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, enjoy an authentic and rejuvenating Provençal setting after colourful days of celebration. A strategic location that also allows you to combine the Fête du Mimosa with the Nice Carnival and the Fête du Citron® in Menton, all taking place during the same period!

🎭 A packed programme of festivities!

Wednesday 11 February — The kick-off Festivities begin with a creative workshop at the media library to make your own carnival hat (ages 7+), a children's carnival on Place de France with acrobatic courses, face painting and bouncy castles, and in the evening an inaugural gospel concert with the TGGG (Très Grand Groupe de Gospel) at the Église Notre-Dame du Liban.

Thursday 12 February — Miss Mandelieu Election Head to the Centre Expo Congrès for the Election of Miss Mandelieu (8pm – €5).

Friday 13 February — Feast & fireworks Avenue Henry Clews hosts a Grand Gaulish Banquet from 6pm with food trucks, live music and roaming performers, followed by a fireworks display at 8pm and a DJ set to keep the party going.

Saturday 14 February — Night Parade & Valentine's Day The highlight of the weekend begins with the Mimosa Festival Village on Place de France from noon: artisan market, entertainment, food trucks… For Valentine's Day, join in the creation of a giant collective flower heart! At 6:30pm, the Night Parade sets off with 12 illuminated floats celebrating carnivals from around the world, followed by a concert at 8pm.

Sunday 15 February — The Grand Corso & Flower Battle The grand finale! At 2:30pm, a cannon fired from the Château de La Napoule signals the start of the Grand Corso and Flower Battle along Avenue Henry Clews. 12 floats celebrating 12 world carnivals parade amidst hundreds of dancers, acrobats and musicians in a joyful whirlwind of flowers, music and colour.

💡 Good to know: free shuttle buses run every 10 to 15 minutes on corso days. Free standing areas on Sunday!

📅 See you from 11 to 15 February 2026 in Mandelieu-La Napoule!

The Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival) in Menton, a truly unique event in the world, returns for its 92nd edition under the enchanting theme "Wonders of the Living World" (Merveilles du Vivant). Every year, this iconic festival attracts over 250,000 visitors to the French Riviera. Listed as part of France's intangible cultural heritage since 2019, this year's edition celebrates the beauty and diversity of the living world through monumental citrus sculptures depicting extraordinary flora and fauna.

🍋 A zesty programme! For over 15 days, Menton transforms into a magical world where 140 tonnes of citrus fruits come to life in the hands of talented artists. Key highlights include:

• The citrus sculpture exhibition in the Biovès Gardens — free and open to all from 14 February to 1 March
• The Golden Fruit Parades (Corsos des Fruits d'Or) — spectacular processions of floats covered in lemons and oranges, accompanied by brass bands and folk troupes (Sundays 15, 22 February and 1 March at 2:30pm)
• The Night Parades (Corsos Nocturnes) — when the illuminated floats light up the Mediterranean night, capped off by fireworks at 10:30pm (Thursdays 19 and 26 February at 9pm)

🌸 And so much more! Beyond the parades, the Fête du Citron® features a local crafts market with artisan creations and regional specialities, the Orchid Show and Winter Garden with unforgettable fragrances, as well as street entertainment, concerts and performances throughout the city. A sensory journey of colours, scents and Mediterranean flavours!

📜 A bit of history In 1929, Menton was still the leading lemon producer on the European continent. A local hotelier had the idea of organising a flower and citrus exhibition in the gardens of the Riviera Hotel. The event was such a success that the following year, the celebration took to the streets. The Fête du Citron® was officially born in 1934 and has since become a world-renowned festival.

🏨 Stay at Hôtel du Clos: the perfect base to enjoy the festivities Hôtel du Clos, nestled in the charming village of Le Rouret in the Grasse hinterland, is the ideal place to enjoy the Fête du Citron® while savouring the peace and quiet of Provence. Just 20 minutes from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and 30 minutes from Nice, you can easily reach Menton via the motorway or the scenic coastal roads. After a colourful day among citrus sculptures and confetti, retreat to the serenity of an authentic Provençal village, away from the coastal buzz. Hôtel du Clos is also the perfect base for combining the Fête du Citron® with the Nice Carnival, which takes place on the same dates!

📅 See you from 14 February to 1 March 2026 in Menton!

The Nice Carnival 2026, the unmissable winter event on the French Riviera, promises a historic edition under the theme "Long Live the Queen!" (Vive la Reine!). After a record-breaking attendance of 400,000 visitors in 2025, this 152nd edition marks a turning point: after decades of male reign, it's time to celebrate femininity and the great heroines of history and fiction who shaped our world.

🎭 A spectacular programme! Over 15 days of festivities, immerse yourself in a world where majestic floats, musicians and dancers from all corners of the globe take over the streets of Nice for an unforgettable show. Among the highlights:

• The Carnival Parades (Corsos Carnavalesques) and their grand float processions on Place Masséna
• The Illuminated Parades that transform Nice's nights into a magical sound and light spectacle
• The legendary Flower Battles (Batailles de Fleurs), with 20 flower-covered floats and over 100,000 flowers thrown to the crowd

🎉 A grand opening! Festivities kick off on Wednesday 11 February with the Grand Charivari, followed on Friday 13th by the Bal du Veglione at the Nice Opera House — an immersive evening blending symphony orchestra and DJ sets. On Saturday 14 February, the Carnavalina will take over the city with free entertainment, before the Opening Illuminated Parade at 9pm on Place Masséna. A spectacular show not to be missed!

🔥 A grand finale! On Saturday 28 February at 10:45pm, the closing ceremony will feature the traditional burning of the King and a magnificent fireworks display on the Quai des États-Unis. The following day, the bravest visitors can take part in the Carnival Swim in the Baie des Anges!

💡 Top tip: entry to the pedestrian zones during the Parades is free for those in full costume (subject to availability).

🏨 Stay at Hôtel du Clos: the best of both worlds Why not enjoy the Nice Carnival while staying in a peaceful setting? Hôtel du Clos, nestled in the charming village of Le Rouret in the Grasse hinterland, offers the perfect balance: the tranquillity and authenticity of a Provençal village just 30 minutes from Nice city centre and 20 minutes from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. After the excitement of the parades and flower battles, retreat to the serenity of your hotel, far from the urban buzz. An ideal base for exploring the Nice Carnival, as well as the treasures of the hinterland — hilltop villages, Provençal markets and Mediterranean landscapes.

📅 See you from 11 February to 1 March 2026!

ExpoRose 2025 in Grasse: Experience the Artistic Vibrations from Hôtel du Clos

From May 8 to 11, 2025, Grasse invites you to celebrate the queen of flowers during the 53rd edition of ExpoRose, a flagship event that transforms the world’s perfume capital into a living garden filled with color, fragrance, and creativity.

This year’s theme, “Artistic Vibrations”, turns the city into a vibrant stage where nature and the arts merge in a dazzling symphony of sensations. Over four days, enjoy a rich and diverse program featuring dance, theatre, music, floral installations, and open-air performances that awaken the senses.

The Cours Honoré Cresp will host the iconic Rose Market, brimming with delightful scents and local delicacies. Meanwhile, renowned venues such as the Villa Fragonard, Jardin des Plantes, and Place aux Aires will offer exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and more immersive experiences for visitors of all ages. The final program will be revealed soon on the website : https://www.paysdegrassetourisme.fr/reserver-votre-activite/expo-rose-2025/

Hôtel du Clos: a peaceful haven just minutes from Grasse

Nestled in the charming village of Le Rouret, just a short drive from Grasse, Hôtel du Clos is the perfect base to make the most of your ExpoRose getaway. Set within a lush park, this boutique hotel combines Provençal charm, elegance, and tranquility. After a day exploring the vibrant streets of Grasse, unwind in the peaceful surroundings of your room or enjoy the serenity of the hotel’s garden. Hôtel du Clos is also ideally located for discovering the Pays de Grasse — a region rich in history, perched villages, and fragrant landscapes. Book your stay now and immerse yourself in the Artistic Vibrations of ExpoRose 2025!

We are proud to announce that Hôtel du Clos has received an outstanding annual rating of 9.3 out of 10, a recognition that reflects the quality of our establishment and the unique experience we offer our guests.

This score, based on the 2024 e-reputation barometer conducted by Fairguest in collaboration with Côte d'Azur France Tourisme, compiles reviews from over twenty platforms, including Google My Business, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Hotels.com.

With an average higher than that of other 3-star hotels on the French Riviera (8.3/10), this distinction highlights our commitment to providing high-quality service and an exceptional setting for our visitors.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our guests for their trust and positive reviews, which contribute every day to the reputation of Hôtel du Clos.

See you soon at Hôtel du Clos!
Annick and Guy