“Fête des violettes” in March
Tourrettes sur Loup and the cultivation of violets
Violet is one of the emblematic flowers of the Grasse region, along with rose centifolia, orange blossom, jasmine grandiforum, polliantes tuberosa, mimosa, narcissus and iris pallida.
This was the first flower to be offered in a bouquet of flowers for cutting. Grasse perfumeries use the leaves of this delicate flower. Today, in Tourrettes sur Loup, 10 minutes from our gites www.locations-06.fr, there are just 3 farming families specializing in this crop.
Our son Guilhem Codera, a farmer-processor, makes violet jelly, while others make crystallized flowers, syrups and ice creams… It’s all very tasty and fragrant.
In Tourrettes sur Loup, a good way to discover all the secrets of violet cultivation is to visit “La bastide des violettes”, where you can learn all about this very pretty and delicate flower: from its cultivation to its uses and transformations, its history and its role. It’s really exciting!
The “Fête des violettes” at Tourrettes sur Loup
The Fête des Violettes takes place in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, 10 minutes from our gites www.locations-06.fr since 1952. From 1880, the village’s agricultural activity focused mainly on violets, before gradually shifting to other activities. Today, the Victoria variety is grown at Tourrettes-sur-Loup. It is characterized by a single petal-shaped flower, standing on a long stalk of almost 25cm.
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Every year in early March, the “Fête des violettes” brings the violet season to a close and celebrates spring.
It’s a lovely, popular festival that marks the promise of sunny days ahead. This festival is truly popular, as it is open to all, with no entrance fees, as is now the case for the Nice Carnival or the Fête des Citrons in Menton, where even the promenades have become chargeable during the corsos.
Over 2 days, this year on March 5 and 6, 10 minutes from our gites www.locations-06.fr, the festival is in full swing.
The village streets and all the windows, balconies, facades and streets are decorated with flowers.
In the center of the village, on the square, there’s a market for local producers and craftsmen, and this year our son Guilhem Codera offered his products: olive oils, olive paste, flower confit, candles, candied clementines, etc.
All day long, there are musical aubades, local dances and a beautiful mass. A Flower parade takes place on Sunday from 2.30pm, with floats created by the village’s various associations pulled by tractors belonging to local farmers. Sunday closes with the Battle of the Flowers, open to all. To the sound of music, everyone jumps up and down to grab a carnation or a bunch of violets, all in good spirits. It’s a great time to spend with family and friends.
