Tourrettes-sur-Loup, cité des Arts, cité médiévale, cité des Violettes - so many words to describe such a small village! Erected in the foothills of the Gorges du Loup, this delightful, typically southern commune of 4,000 inhabitants takes its name from the Latin turris alta, which translates as "high vantage point". Coming from Bar-sur-Loup, the view of the stone houses stacked above the ravine is breathtaking. You'll discover the village as you wander through its flower-filled lanes, staircases and vaulted passageways. The facades are exquisitely decorated with Provencal shutters. But Tourrettes-sur-Loup is more than just a charming medieval village. It's also a haven of peace and work for dozens of artists who have gathered here, finding the serenity they need to devote themselves to their art. Potters, ceramists, weavers, jewelers, painters and sculptors set up store in the village streets. Jacques Prévert, Jean Cocteau, Franck Sinatra and Francis Poulenc also frequented the village. Since then, the word "culture" has been applied as much to promoting art as to working the land. Indeed, violets have made the commune famous. It has been grown in abundance since the late 19th century, along with olives and orange blossom. Every year in March, the "Autour de la Violette" festival takes place, a celebration of Tourrettes-sur-Loup's star flower. A little history. The commune is rich in prehistoric sites. The Beaume and Pié Lombard caves, as well as the Courmettes site, were frequented by humans as early as the Palaeolithic, then the Neolithic, and reused during the Bronze and Iron Ages. It is also said that a Celto-Ligurian oppidum stood on the site of today's village, and was later used as a Roman camp. The first reference to the Tourrettes site dates back to 1024. The name Castrum de Torretis is mentioned. In the 14th century, on the death of Queen Jeanne I, a succession crisis arose at the head of the County of Provence. The lord of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Guillaume de Villeneuve, was one of the towns in the union of Aix that sided with Charles de Duras against Louis 1er d'Anjou. But the towns of the Union of Aix submitted, which led to Charles de Duras' supporters rallying to Louis 1er d'Anjou. Tourrettes therefore paid homage to Louis 1er d'Anjou. The Villeneuve family held this fiefdom until 1789. During the Revolution, the population moved the town hall into the château.

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Le village de Tourrettes-sur-Loup. Bernard Croisé
Vue sur Tourrettes-sur-Loup. Bernard Croisé

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