Tourrettes-sur-Loup

Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a small town near Vence on the French Riviera. It belongs to that group of typical medieval fortified villages in the region, and is picturesquely situated on the slope of a hill.

Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a small stone fortified village built on the slope of a hill overlooking the sea in the distance. It lies between Vence and the Loup Canyon, and is the ideal place for a romantic walk. There are not many attractions here, so visiting this place is best combined with an exploration of the surrounding area.

Tourrettes-sur-Loup at a glance

• Where: a few kilometers west of Vence, above the Loup valley.
• Known for: violets, with a Violet Festival every March, and the song Autumn Leaves.
• Getting there: by car (free parking at 112 Route de la Madeleine) or bus 651 from Vence.
• Nearby: the Loup gorge, the Confiserie Florian at Pont-du-Loup and Gourdon.

Fewer tourists come here than to Saint-Paul de Vence, so it is a good place for a quiet lunch.

Interesting fact: One of the most famous songs in the world was created in Tourrettes: Autumn Leaves, sung by, for example, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Eva Cassidy. The English version is a translation of the original: Les Feuilles Mortes, composed by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma, and sung by Yves Montand.

Tourrettes-sur-Loup on the way to Gourdon

The medieval towns on the French Riviera are one of the main attractions of the region. Stone villages that were built centuries ago on the steep slopes and rocks still captivate with their picturesque locations, and attract lovers of both history and romantic walks. The most popular of these, among others, are Eze Village, Saint-Paul de Vence, and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Tourrettes-sur-Loup is also one of the this group, although it is somewhat out of the way.

It is best to visit the town during a tour of Vence, Gourdon, or the Loup Canyon. You can spend a pleasant day on the French Riviera by planning a car trip according to this route: in the morning, visit Vence and the Gombrowicz Museum; next drive to Tourrettes-sur-Loup, where you can have lunch; then admire the nearby, small Loup canyon; and to finish, spend the afternoon in beautiful Gourdon with a stunning view of the neighborhood.

What is worth seeing in Tourrettes and how do you visit the town? It’s best to leave the car in a free car park just outside the village, for example at 112 Route de la Madeleine, about 5 minutes’ walk from the old village. The second car park is in the town itself, but there are few places and it’s paid. Tourrettes-sur-Loup is built on a triangular plan and its southern tip forms a viewpoint over the surrounding area. It’s worth seeing the view, but also taking your time to walk slowly amongst the buildings.

Tourrettes is called the village of violets, because the flower used to be grown here on a large scale; you can still find violet sweets and scents, and every March the village holds a Violet Festival (Fête des Violettes). Continue down to Pont-du-Loup, where you can visit the Confiserie Florian candy factory for free and see the Saut du Loup waterfalls (a small fee).

How to get to Tourrettes-sur-Loup

The best way to get to the town is by car. This will allow you to explore the area and stop in Tourrettes itself only for a short tour, or possibly for lunch. Non-motorists can get there by bus 651 from Vence.