The medieval town of Tourrettes-sur-Loup is known as the “City of Violets.” The city celebrates the end of the flower harvest in March, with the “Fete de la Violette,” an event that was started by Victor Linton, a jeweller who came to the village in 1947. The “Victoria” violet, characterized its five petals, long stem, and deep violet color, is a fragrant, winter flower used to make ice cream, jam, candy, beauty products, perfume, cosmetics, & more. The leaves are cultivated later to make the essence used in many famous perfumes.
Food stalls and violet-themed products were front and center with crowds mingling throughout the town’s cobblestone streets and enjoying the weekend festival – taking time to smell the roses violets!
Nice photos. We went to Tourettes last year for a walk-around, and found it very charming.
Thanks – yes, it is a lovely town.
Nice posts 🙂 I love violets. I hope to visit Tourrettes-sur-Loup next time I stay on the French Riviera.
Thanks – it’s worth a visit, but if not possible, Haut de Cagnes-sur-Mer is a nice, medieval village closer to Nice and easily accessible by bus.
How beautiful! Where is this town relative to Nice?
It’s northwest of Nice, between Grasse and Vence – about a 30 minute drive on a two-lane, scenic road.
Perfectly charming.
Thanks – it was indeed a nice day’s outing.
I do love how the French have so many festivals. They honor violets, lemons, chestnuts, truffles,figs,and many more wonderful local products
It’s a lovely way to visit many different areas, as well, not to mention the good taste-testing!