Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimesdepartment in southeastern France. It has been called Tourrettes-sur-Loup ever since the early twentieth century although prior to that it was known as Tourrettes-les-Vence, that occurred in the sixteenth century and lasted until the French revolution. This is an artisan's village situated near Vence. It features medieval and Romanesque buildings. Situated 14 km from the Mediterranean coast, between Vence and Grasse, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is predominantly a tourist village however it does have a rich historical background. Tourrettes-sur-Loup has a very small population of just over 2,400 residents. Inhabitants of the village are known as Tourrettans.
Population
Geography
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a medieval village, perched on a rocky spur, situated on the southern slope of the Puy de Tourrettes. The slope of the land leads directly to the loup valley and gorges around the area.
Economy
The village is predominantly a tourist centre. The medieval village is well renowned for its arts and crafts such as weaving, painting, pottery jewelry and sculpture, all of which are created in the village by the residents. There are forty artisans all of whom live in the village, who group together and contribute to the economy of the population. The local economy is based on: • The culture of violet • Confectionery :
• Arts and crafts • The production of organic goat cheese • Beekeeping • Agriculture and farming: the local production of vegetables • Tourism:
* hotels, restaurants, guest rooms, furnished and campsites
The tax rate in 2008 and 2009 was 13.23% which, amongst the 193 most commonly taxed villages, ranks 53rd.
Sites and monuments
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is home to many historically significant monuments and structures, for example:
The church of St. Gregory: Built in the fifteenth century, the church holds two altar pieces, carved and gilded statues and other works from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The chapel of St. John: Was restored in 2005
Ear : A stone, ear-shaped construction about 40m long and 10m wide. The ear is no longer open to the public seeing as the city has recently authorized the building of a villa on the site.
La bastide aux violets: a museum dedicated to the violet flower which was opened on 6 March 2010.
Architecture
With fortified architectural qualities, the houses of ‘‘‘Tourrettes sur loup’’’form a general uphill structure creating ramparts. The houses are situated around a half moon circuit that forms the central route for the village.
There are a number of activities that are available at the village and in neighboring villages and areas: • cycling : ‘‘‘Tourrettes-sur-Loup’’’ is very popular with cyclists and there are various biking routes near the village. • boules : ‘‘Tourrettans’’ and tourists play boules in the ‘‘Place de la Liberation’’. • paragliding • hang-gliding • canyoning • climbing • fishing • horseriding • skiing : The nearest ski station is at Gréolières-les-Neiges which is 39 km away. • beaches : The nearest beach is at Cagnes-sur-Mer which is just 14 km from the village.
