Welcome to Tourrettes-sur-Loup, one of the most charming perched villages on Cote d’Azur. It’s a captivating place where you’ll find typical medieval architecture, winding picturesque streets with hidden corners, small art galleries, and great views. Unfortunately, it looks like Tourrettes-sur-Loup is often overlooked and quite hard to find in most travel blogs and guides… And it’s a shame as it’s a delightful place, and as beautiful as the famed Saint-Paul-de-Vence or Gourdon! If this got you hooked, keep reading and discover things to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup village in France.
Travel tip. You can easily visit Tourrettes-sur-Loup and nearby Saint Paul de Vence or Gourdon on the same day.
Interesting fact. Before becoming Tourrettes-sur-Loup in 1894, the village was called Tourrettes-les-Vence since the 16th century.
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Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France FAQ
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is located inland in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the Alpes-Maritimes department in Southeastern France. It sits on a hill at an altitude of 524m a.s.l, 14km from the Mediterranean coast. Tourrettes-sur-Loup is just a short drive from popular places like Saint Paul de Vence, Grasse, Nice, Antibes, or Gourdon.
Of course! Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a captivating perched medieval village where you can feel like you stepped back in time hundreds of years. And the fairly low number of tourists helps in that even more! It also offers magnificent views of the surroundings. If you love visiting medieval villages with a cool vibe, you’ll love this one too! Oh, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is also a great destination to escape from bustling towns on the coast.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is best known for being a pretty and well-preserved medieval hilltop village overlooking the Mediterranean. It also goes by the name of “City of Violets” – apparently it’s the only place in France where violets are grown as the horticulturists’ main crop!
Things to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France
Tourrettes-sur-Loup old town streets
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a small village and you don’t need a map to explore it. Let yourself be carried away by its winding narrow streets and sooner or later you’ll discover every corner. Well-preserved old stone buildings decorated with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets, vaulted passageways, artists’ studios, craft shops, restaurants, and of course great views…
Among Tourrettes-sur-Loup village streets you’ll find points of interest like:
- Grand Rue – main village street, full of art galleries, workshops, and small craft shops. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more are waiting there. Also, be sure to make detours into neighboring small charming streets.
- Saint-Gregory Church (fr. Église Saint-Grégoire) – built in the 12th century, and later modified in the 16th and 19th centuries. It’s very simple, both from the outside and inside. The church is located on the village’s main square, which unfortunately was turned into a huge parking lot.
- Château de Villeneuve – 15th-century building with a charming small patio with a fountain, now serving as a Town Hall and exhibition area.
- Saint-Jean Chapel (fr. Chapelle Saint-Jean) – small, simple-looking chapel with colorful and almost childlike frescoes inside, showing stories from the Bible.
- Tourrettes-sur-Loup viewpoint and orientation table – located at the southern end of the town, featuring lovely views over the village surroundings. It’s a nice and peaceful place for a short break.
As you can see now, there are not that many major points of interest, but don’t let it discourage you! Just wandering along the streets of the village is a pure pleasure and definitely the best thing to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup! Oh, and bonus points go for exploring the village in a peaceful atmosphere without hordes of other tourists!
Tourrettes-sur-Loup Tourist Office is located on Place de la Libération square, just a few steps from Saint-Gregory Church.
Interesting fact. Autumn Leaves, one of the most popular songs in the world, was created in one of the buildings in the Tourrettes-sur-Loup old town by Jacques Prévert!
Discover: Accommodation options in Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Museum Bastide aux Violettes
Just a few steps from Tourrettes-sur-Loup old town you’ll find a museum dedicated entirely to violet flowers and its cultivation. There you can learn all about the history and importance of violets for the town, as well as visit a greenhouse with violets.
Entrance costs €2 for a normal ticket and is free for children under 18 years old (May 2024). To check current prices and opening hours visit paysdegrassetourisme.fr website.
Fête des Violettes
If you happen to be on Cote d’Azur in early March you can’t miss the Fête des Violettes festival, a yearly celebration in honor of violet flowers. The event marks the end of the harvest and the arrival of spring. During that time the entire Tourrettes-sur-Loup village is decorated with flowers, and local cafes and restaurants provide edible violet specialties. There’s also a farmers market with local products and of course a parade of violet flower-covered floats and the Flower Battle.
Book now: Provence Village Tour with Wine and Produce Tasting
Views over Tourrettes-sur-Loup
For the amazing views over Tourrettes-sur-Loup village and its hanging houses on the cliff edge, be sure to head to Rue de la Bourgade. It’s a road connecting a free parking lot outside of the center with the old town.
How to get to Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France?
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is located about 10km from Saint Paul de Vence, 20km from Gourdon or Grasse, 30km from Nice or Antibes, and 40km from Cannes. The most convenient way to get to the village is by car or by taxi.
Where to park in Tourrettes-sur-Loup?
You can either leave your car in this free parking lot located about 700m from the old town, or in a paid one right in the village center near Saint-Gregory Church, on Place de la Liberation. We recommend the first one – there are amazing views of Tourrettes-sur-Loup and its surroundings from Rue de la Bourgade, the road leading to the center.
For great car rental deals visit Rentalcars website.
To Tourrettes-sur-Loup by public transport
There is no train station in Tourrettes-sur-Loup so a bus is your best option for getting to the village by public transport, but also not the best or fastest one. For example, a trip from Grasse will take about 35min (€3), 2.5h from Nice (€6-7) and 1h20min from Saint Paul de Vence (€5). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Tourrettes-sur-Loup by taxi
The most expensive option but also the fastest and available from almost every place you might be on Cote d’Azur. For example, a trip from Nice will take about 30min (€70-85), 35min from Cannes (€85-110) and 15min from Saint Paul de Vence (€35-45). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Tourrettes-sur-Loup
If you’re traveling by camper, places like La Camassade, Camping la Bergerie, or Camping River might interest you. They are located near Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France – Summing up
Now you know what Tourrettes-sur-Loup is all about. It’s such a charming and picturesque village, isn’t it? And it’s a shame that it’s barely mentioned in guidebooks or travel blogs – it definitely deserves more attention! Tourrettes-sur-Loup is as beautiful as the other much more advertised villages nearby and lacks nothing. But on the other hand, thanks to all of that, it’s a place where you’ll be able to experience more of a local vibe. We hope that Tourrettes-sur-Loup will enchant you from the first steps. Have a great trip!
Our video from Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Our opinion about Tourrettes-sur-Loup
For us, a visit to Tourrettes-sur-Loup was a day trip, combined with a visit to Grasse, from Cannes where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in late October during afternoon hours, and we were two of just a handful of other people out there. We loved the fact that we had the village to ourselves – it allowed us to experience its amazing vibe even more.
Overall, we really liked Tourrettes-sur-Loup. Wandering among its charming, peaceful old town streets was a pure pleasure. It took us about 3 hours to explore the village, including a short dinner break at the viewpoint. The only thing we missed somehow was the Museum Bastide aux Violettes. But no worries, we will visit them next time! Maybe during Fête des Violettes?
It’s quite a shame that it’s not better known… But we’re sure that one day it will be. Anyway, be sure not to miss Tourrettes-sur-Loup. while on the French Riviera.
Travel tip. If you’d like to experience an even more authentic medieval village be sure to head to Peillon or Sainte-Agnes.
Book now: Tour: Grasse perfumery Fragonard, Tourettes Sur Loup, Gourdon, Saint Paul De Vence
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Tourrettes-sur-Loup?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Tourrettes-sur-Loup:
Where to sleep in Tourrettes-sur-Loup?
Maison d’Hôtes Bleu Azur
"Maison d'Hôtes Bleu Azur" in Tourrettes-sur-Loup offers a charming and serene retreat with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. This boutique guesthouse features elegantly designed rooms, a beautiful garden with a heated pool, and a terrace where guests can enjoy breakfast with panoramic vistas. Ideal for relaxation and exploration, it provides easy access to the picturesque village and the vibrant French Riviera.
Auberge De Tourrettes
"Auberge De Tourrettes" is a charming boutique hotel offering a perfect blend of rustic elegance and modern comfort. The accommodation features beautifully appointed rooms with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy a serene garden, an inviting outdoor pool, and exquisite dining at the on-site restaurant, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and indulgence.
L’Effrontée
"L'Effrontée" in Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a stylish and intimate guesthouse nestled in the heart of the picturesque French village. It features tastefully decorated rooms, each with unique character, blending modern comfort with rustic charm. Guests can enjoy a tranquil garden, a refreshing pool, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal retreat for a relaxing getaway.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
