What to see and do on your Provencal getaway to Tourrettes-sur-Loup? An overview of things to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup!
A small medieval village of 3992 inhabitants perched on a rocky outcrop in the foothills of the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes du Sud, Tourrettes-sur-Loup offers a magical, relaxing setting in a green setting just a few kilometers from Vence and Nice.
Known for being fortified by houses forming the ramparts, erected on a sheer rocky plateau, this village in the Alpes-Maritimes is also renowned for being the capital of the violet, a tradition elevated to the status of a local institution. Numerous prehistoric remains dating back to the Middle Paleolithic (-300,000; -30,000) have been found here, including some of the remains of the hunter-gatherer of the time, Neanderthal Man. Generation Voyage’s editors took a closer look at this picturesque village to find out what to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
1. Visit the medieval village
Photo credit: Flickr – Furfante
A visit to Tourrettes-sur-Loup means wandering through narrow, steeply-sloped streets, with their picturesque buildings and authentic vaults, typical of the Midi provençal region, as well as old stone facades meticulously renovated. It’s also a journey full of color and flavor. The narrow streets are lined with flowers, including the famous violet, the national emblem of this village, which lives year-round to the rhythm of this sweet flower.
In the heart of the village, the Grand’Rue is home to no less than thirty artists’ studios, galleries and boutiques of creative artisans – nothing less! – who have gathered here to take advantage of an exceptional climate, sunny all year round, exquisite, soothing and conducive to unleashing creativity. This intricate network of small paths forming a knot in the heart of the village is home to paintings, sculptures, weavings, jewelry and pottery, to the delight of all visitors. When visiting Tourrettes-sur-Loup, don’t miss the old Villeneuve castle and belfry, dating from the 11th and 15th centuries: now the site of the town hall, the building traces the history of a powerful and influential family in the village from the 14th century to the French Revolution.
2. Visit Saint-Grégoire church
Photo credit: Ville de Tourrettes-sur-Loup
If you’re a fan of religious buildings and relics and you’re wondering what to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, look no further than the oblong nave of Saint-Grégoire church, a building dating back to the 12th century and renovated in 1551, giving it a « Romano-Renaissance » style. Inside, you can admire a 3rd-century stele dedicated to Mercury – god of trade, thieves, travel and messenger of other gods in Roman mythology – and a 15th-century triptych inspired by the Bréa brothers, famous painters from Nice in their day.
3. The violet festival
Photo credit: Ville de Tourrettes-sur-Loup
If you can visit Tourrettes-sur-Loup between the end of February and the beginning of March, you’ll have the unique opportunity to discover, over two weekends, the famous violet festival, a local festivity that’s in no danger of going out of fashion. For the occasion, the Bastides aux violettes – gardens and museum dedicated to violets – is open to the public from 10am to 5pm without interruption. In the village, a local market is organized from 9am to 5pm, and many other events are on the program:
- Traditional music concerts,
- Guided tours of our cultural heritage,
- Ball and folk group,
- Evening meal,
- Donkey rides,
- Petanque competition,
- Game workshops and fun activities.
In 2017, the village festival was held on February 25-26 and March 4-5.
4. Rafting and caving in the Wolf Valley
The village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup stretches right up to the edge of the Gorges du Loup and the Vallée du Loup. Ideal for rafting in the Gorges du Loup or caving in the Vallée du Loup. Both activities can be booked online.
How do I get to Tourrettes-sur-Loup?
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is accessible by road and is about a 45-minute drive from Nice. To get there, head towards Vence. There is a free parking lot at Place de la Madeleine (300m from the village center), linked to the village by a free shuttle bus (shuttle bus timetable weekdays from 9am to 7pm and public holidays from 10am to 12pm), or a paying parking lot in the village center around Place de la Libération.
The nearest airport to Tourrettes-sur-Loup is Nice. To find a cheap flight to Nice, please use our partner website Skyscanner.
Where to stay in Tourrettes-sur-Loup?
You can find a cheap hotel in Tourrettes-sur-Loup by searching on this hotel comparator.
Main photo credit: Flickr – tmorkemo
Map of hotels and accommodation – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur