Tourrettes-sur-Loup, village of violets: visiting and the March festival
The village of violets.
A medieval hilltop village between sea and mountains, with its craftspeople and its winter flower.
Village
Hilltop, in bloom, alive.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a medieval village perched on a rocky spur, 20 km from Nice and 30 km from Cannes, famous for the violets it has grown for over a century. Its lanes and artists' studios are open to visitors all year round, and the violet festival takes place every year in early March.
A crescent-shaped medieval village
Built around its 15th-century château, the village forms a crescent-shaped main street lined with stone houses. You enter through gateways on either side of the square, then discover the church of Saint-Grégoire, the chapel of Saint-Jean with its naïve frescoes, and the clock gate.
From the top of the village, on a clear day, the view stretches along the coast from Menton to Saint-Raphaël.
Artists' studios all year round
For more than fifty years, painters, sculptors, weavers, potters and mosaic artists have settled in the village lanes. Their studios and galleries are open all year: just wander in as you stroll, no planning needed.
The violet, queen of Tourrettes
The Tourrettes-sur-Loup violet, the 'Victoria', has made the village famous for over a century. Fragrant and colourful, it is sold in bunches and used in perfumery and confectionery. The farms can be visited from November to March, during the harvest.
At the Confiserie Florian in Le Pont-du-Loup, you will find it crystallised, alongside candied fruit and citrus jams.
Early March
The violet festival.
Since 1952, the village has decked itself out in violets to celebrate the end of the harvest, on the first or second weekend of March. With a parade of flower-decked floats and decorated streets, it is the highlight of winter in the Grasse area.
Book your table and room early: the festival weekend is one of the busiest of the season.
Stay and dine at Le Pont-du-Loup
Just 8 km from the village, the auberge has 5 double and triple rooms above its restaurant, with free private parking. After your visit, dinner is served in the dining room by the fire or on the terrace facing the gorges. All the details are on our Tourrettes-sur-Loup hotel page.
Your questions
FAQ
Every year on the first or second weekend of March, since 1952. The exact date is published by the village tourist office.
The 15th-century château, the church of Saint-Grégoire, the chapel of Saint-Jean and its frescoes, the clock gate, the artists' studios and the view over the coast.
Yes, some farms are open to visitors during the harvest, from November to March. Ask at the Tourrettes-sur-Loup tourist office.
The Auberge des Gorges du Loup, at Le Pont-du-Loup, 8 km from the village, has 5 double and triple rooms with free private parking and a restaurant on site.
See you soon
After your visit, dine by the Loup.
Five rooms above the restaurant, parking right by the door. Book direct.