Things To Do in Tourrettes-sur-Loup
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Tourrettes-sur-Loup Attractions
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is chockablock with arts and crafts; if you wander down Grand'Rue, you'll find jewelers, woodworkers, sculptors, painters, and fabric designers. Stop by Poterie Arnaud Chassaing, no. 1 Ferrage (tel. 04-93-59-27-92), for Chassaing's signature deep blue-glazed ceramics, and long-established La Paësine, no. 14 Ferrage (tel. 04-93-24-14-55), for silver jewelery. The violet museum at La Bastide aux Violettes, Quartier de la Ferrage (tel. 04-93-59-06-97; www.tourrettessurloup.com), follows the history of violets for perfume production in the Grasse area. It's open 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup Shopping
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is home to more crafts studios than any other village its size in Provence. Nearly 30 artisans, including a handful of noted ones from as far away as Paris, have set up their studios and outlets, often in stone-sided buildings facing the town's main street, Grand'Rue. The best way to sample their offerings is to wander and window-shop.
You'll find jewelry, in designs ranging from old-fashioned to contemporary, at La Paësine, 14 Grand'Rue (tel. 04-93-24-14-55). Original clothing -- in natural fibers including mohair and silk -- for men and women, as well as draperies, bed linens, and tablecloths, usually in creative patterns, is available at the Atelier Arachnée, 8 Grand'Rue (tel. 04-93-24-11-42). Ceramic signposts crafted from local clay in patterns inspired by the many civilizations that have pillaged or prospered in Provence are sold at Poterie Tournesol, 7 Grand'Rue (tel. 04-93-59-35- 62).
Looking for a pick-me-up after a day of shopping? Head for one of the region's best candy shops, Confiserie Florian des Gorges du Loup in Le Pont du Loup on the route from Tourrettes-sur-Loup to Grasse (tel. 04-93-59-32-91; www.confiserieflorian.com). Here, age-old techniques are used to layer fresh fruit with sugar. The result is an ultrachewy, ultrasweet confection that gradually melts as it explodes flavor -- the taste has been called "angelic." Sample chocolate-covered orange peel, rose-petal jam, and sugar-permeated sliced apricots, tangerines, plums, cherries, and grapes. Even the local violets are transformed into edible, sugary treats.
