TOURRETTES-SUR-LOUP

Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a médiéval village situates on a rocky spur dominating the French Riviera between Nice and Grasse. The village has a typical Provencal and Mediterranean architectural style with its "perched" houses and exposed stone facades. The medieval village has always been a place of inspiration and work for artists and craftsmen. Potters, ceramists, weavers, jewellers, painters, sculptors, film-makers and composers of international renown have all worked in Tourrettes-sur-Loup since the 1950s.

However, the village owes its fame to a small, beautiful and discreet flower : the violet. The viola odorata Victoria became the main crop on its territory in the 1880s and is cultivated for its fragrant and gustatory properties, which are used respectively in perfumery and confectionery.

The Tourrettes violet has become the symbol of the village and the pride of its inhabitants. Every year since 1952, a festival has been held in its honour, the "Fête des Violettes". In March 2010, the commune inaugurated the Bastide aux Violettes, a living museum dedicated to this flower and the know-how of the producers.