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Tourrettes Sur Loup

September 2, 2011 by Patricia Sands 12 Comments

If It’s Friday, It Must Be France …

Buckle up and keep your camera ready! The drive to the medieval village of Tourrettes Sur Loup is breathtaking. Only 14 kilometres from the Côte D’Azur, it’s easy to reach and might be combined with a visit to St. Paul De Vence. Much smaller than St. Paul and far less touristy, we like to take visitors there. If you approach from the west, the moment you come around the last corner takes my breath away every time.

I can’t tell you the number of photos I’ve taken of this view. Different times of day, changing seasons, sunny, cloudy, any excuse makes it simply irresistible to my shutter mania.

Established in the 11th C, the natural setting created the fortification of the town. How did they build those towns? All by hand … it boggles my mind. The 12th C church is built on the site of a Roman temple. Don’t miss it!

The village isn’t overloaded with shops (click here for a complete list and the town’s official site … in French, but you can figure it out) and their products are truly artisanal. Le Bois D’Olivier is our favourite with beautiful olive wood products produced by hand since the 1950’s by the Dubosq family (father and now son). Simply walking into their shop is a buzz! I love the warm shades and textures of olive wood. I haven’t seen better prices or finer work anywhere. (Trust me, I’ve looked at way too much olive wood!)

Further along La Grande Rue you will find Poterie La Bergerie‘s awesome cave-like atelier where delicate ceramics are crafted and hand-painted with violet motifs.

You’ll want to pop into many of the other shops as you stroll through. Tourrettes Sur Loup has been famous for the cultivation of violets since the 1880’s.  The locally well-known Fête de Violettes is celebrated every March.

Walk down to the bottom of the village to find a panoramic view past a Roman aqueduct right down to the coast. When you’ve filled your camera chip, have a fine meal at La Médiéval, where the friendly owner fills a glass of rosé like I’ve never seen before. Check to make sure it’s open before you go.

I’ve attached a video below that gives you a bit of a tour through the village. It also shows how the Dubosq men work their magic with the olive wood.

It’s a long video so pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!

[dailymotion id=xjl5g8]
Le travail du bois d’olivier. Saladier artisanal…dubosqguillaume

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, Cote D'Azur, ForeWord 2010 Book Of The Year Finalist, olive wood, Patricia Sands, The Bridge Club, Tourrettes Sur Loup, travel in the south of France, violets

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jennifer tanner says

    September 2, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    I look forward to reading your travel log and mini-history posts every week. Living in a world full of cheap manufactured goods, I truly appreciate stuff like the olive wood bowls. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 3, 2011 at 9:01 am

      I feel the same way Jen. Another reason I love this shop is that they price their work reasonably. The artisan even takes his little scrap pieces and turns them into small but delightful cutting boards or a serving piece for that special chunk of cheese. For 3 Euros ($4.50) anyone can afford that. Our kids thought they were the best souvenirs!

      Reply
  2. chrislonChris Longmuir says

    September 3, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    The video was fantastic. I loved the trees at the beginning, the shapes were like something out of a fairytale, and what that guy could do with wood was out of this world. The scenery was great too, all old worldly, made me wish I was there.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 3, 2011 at 3:26 pm

      Thanks Chris! The trees at the beginning seemed like they were about to tell a story, didn’t they? Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  3. Naomi Bulger says

    September 5, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Oh, you’ve brought us yet another absolutely beautiful place! I’m so excited to be in France in only a couple of weeks, and I’m looking up Tourrettes Sur Loup on the map right now, to see if we can fit in a visit. (I’ve already put Biot on the itinerary). Thanks yet again for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 5, 2011 at 5:07 pm

      You’ll have a wonderful time Naomi, no matter where you go! Bon voyage!

      Reply
      • Naomi Bulger says

        September 5, 2011 at 9:45 pm

        Merci beaucoup Patricia!

        Reply
  4. Marcia says

    September 7, 2011 at 2:22 am

    Oh, how I’d love to visit france! The pictures, the shopping and the amazing scenery! Your posts make me feel like I could reach out and be there. Thanks for this Patricia!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 7, 2011 at 6:16 am

      I’m glad you are enjoying it Marcia! Put the trip to France on your wish list. You never know when you just might make it happen!

      Reply
  5. Hartford says

    September 7, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    STUNNING! I just love how you are giving us all a little tour through another part of the world. Just beautiful. I love the video. I wish I was there!!!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 8, 2011 at 8:59 pm

      I’m so glad you’re along for the ride!

      Reply
  6. Patricia Caviglia says

    October 2, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    What a great video! I wanted to buy one of everything in the store.

    Reply

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