Name: Tourtour: charming typical village of Provence in the Var — MarseilleTourisme.fr
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The Tourtour village

Tourtour is one of the jewels of the Var. It is famous as one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. In the heart of authentic Provence, between the Gorges du Verdon and the Côte d'Azur, it is a charming village with a charm you' ll love. It has nothing to envy to the other Provençal villages. With its 635-metre altitude, the panoramic view is exceptional and offers a panorama of Provence, the Mediterranean and Sainte Victoire.

Why should you visit Tourtour?

Away from the main roads of the region, the village of Tourtour managed to preserve its heritage but also its living environment between the rural world and the exposure to tourism. It is nicknamed "the village in the Provence sky". It is the perfect place for your holidays in Provence. You will find all the "classics" of the Provençal villages with its old stone houses topped with round tiles, its eight fountains that always bring freshness, its arched passages, its narrow streets, flowered and sunny squares... Did you know that to the northeast of Tourton flows a fresh water spring? The medieval enclosure and its castle reflect a past resisting the ravages of time. The oldest ramparts house the old medieval castle, the second extension with its gates from the 14th and 15th centuries was as far as the Grand'Rue. Finally, the last enclosure dating from the 17th century includes the municipal castle and the chapel of the Holy Trinity.

Places steeped in history

This traditional village of Provence, dominated by its 11th century parish church with its Romanesque architecture, offers many exceptional sites such as the old oil mill still in operation (it is the last 17th century mill that still operates entirely in the old style) or the old wash house. To share a funny anecdote, on one of the four pillars of the washhouse, five stones were embedded in the tuff. These very bright stones have colours that range from green to orange to brown. Research has revealed that these stones were polished agates from Madagascar, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Peru. How did these little rocks get so far to get here? A question which remains unanswered today. This area was a magnet for artists, and they settled there in large numbers. Today, in their wake, new talents joined them. As a result, Tourtour has an infinite number of small art galleries, some of which are confidential. The French expressionist painter Bernard Buffet lived and died in Tourtour. He left bronze sculptures in front of the post office and the town hall.

Do not hesitate to stay a few days in Tourtour to visit Provence and enjoy the calm and soothing landscapes that the village offers. You can stay in one of the hotels in the area. And if you want to change a bit, why not opt for a holiday rental or a hotel apartment?

Traditions

Traditions continue to survive, with the Easter Egg Festival, which takes place every Easter weekend, and which has become an institution in the region for its originality and authenticity.

Every 1st weekend end of August, the traditional village festival offers four days of festivities with Provençal dances in costumes and a ball. Not to mention the essential petanque competitions to finish brilliantly with the great aïoli shared by all as a conclusion.