Tourette-sur-Loup Things to Do

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We've visited Tourrettes-sur-Loup in spring, summer and autumn, on sunny days and rainy days. It's beautiful all the time, but nothing is better than a sunny day. The tiny town glows in the sunshine. If you walk through the gates into the medieval town, there is a pathway to an overlook that is well worth the few extra steps to get there. The views are forever and stunning.

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Tom's is a hole in the wall but a delightful one. The first thing you see is a giant cardboard ice cream cone. It is moved around during the day but is nearly always out. This is an ad for their most famous flavor, violet ice cream. It also has a candied violet on the top.

You can get many other flavors at Tom's but since you can't find violet ice cream everyplace, it's a good idea to try the violet. We both loved it. It's a little sweet and tiny bit perfumey but on a hot day, it works. I can't think of a better snack in the City of Violets!

They have 30 flavors including rose and jasmine. There are also the more normal vanilla and chocolate if you are not up for an adventure.

Open Tues. - Sun. 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM

This should be a restaurant tip but we didn't eat there so I have no idea whether one should or not. It is just a street scene but thoroughly charming, and anyone certainly could stop for a coffee or glass of wine and to rest their tired feet for a pleasant half hour or so.

The town web site lists this place as a "snack restaurant." If you wanted something light, it might be just the thing. There were plenty of places to either snack or have a long lovely lunch.

We ate lunch at le Medieval up the street. Check my Restaurant Tip.

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We were there in early November and there were a few tourists about but it wasn't overwhelming. It was clear, windy and a bit chilly . . . invigorating. After lunch, we decided to go for a walk and here are a few photos of things we saw.

We wandered down a side street and peeked into a doorway and were rewarded with this lovely fountain courtyard where we were invited in to see the flowers being planted.

Walked on up the hill to see flowers climbing the sides of houses . . . in November!

Saw a lovely small Madonna and Child tucked in a niche in one of the houses.

. . . and found many memorable, and photogenic, doorways.

. . . in every direction. Tourrettes is high above the valley so no matter where you look down, you see forever. The Gorges of the Loup River are far below as are many lovely perched villages. It just takes your breath away. (Of course, so does walking up to the top!)

When you park your car below the city walls, there is a ceramic map you can check to get your bearings. It's not great because you have to leave it there but it does get you to the Tourist Information for a portable map.

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There is little more striking and memorable than wandering the narrow streets with vaulted passageways, flights of steps lined with flower baskets and violets, between buildings with restored stone faces. The heart of the historic center contains a lot of galleries with arts and crafts. Paintings, sculpture, art, jewelry, clothing - it's all here.

I know this is nothing specific but I didn't stay long enough to list alot of stuff but this will be able to help you alot.

The church is small but lovely and has carvings and a beautiful woven tapestry.

Definitely worth a visit.