Tourtour, a village in the Verdon sky

Vue panoramique depuis Tourtour

Perched at an altitude of 600 metres, at the top of the Beau Soleil hill, Tourtour is best known as the “Village in the Sky“. Thanks to its ideal location, high up and right on the edge of the Verdon Natural Park, Tourtour is a choice stopover in the discovery of the beautiful Provence Verte.

Tourtour is flowery, colourful and lively. Its atmosphere reflects of course the Provencal character of the Verdon villages. There are very good restaurants and beautiful hotels. Summer is the season of festivals and celebrations, and music and cinema are at the Rendez-Vous. A stay of several days can be a very good choice if you want to appreciate the village at its true value, and easily reach the Verdon Natural Park.

Some ideas of activities to do in the Verdon during your hike

Here are some ideas of activities to book before or after your hike in Tourtour.
Book a guide for the Imbut Trail
Book a guide for the Martel White Trail
– Enjoy an evening of astronomy on the shores of Lake St. Croix and sleep on site
– Watch the film Verdon Secret in 3D on a giant screen

 

What to do in Tourtour?

Ranked among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, Tourtour is a village where water is present everywhere. As soon as we enter the village, small waterfalls welcome us. The source of the Holy Rosary alone supplies eight fountains and a 17th century oil mill that is still in use today. It is, of course, one of the most interesting visits: it is one of the last mills in Provence to be powered by a water wheel. You can even witness the crushing of the olives from mid-December until February. In addition, between June and September, the mill hall hosts art exhibitions.

The tourist office offers a guided tour of the village in French, English and Danish. Accessible all year round, it lasts about 1 hour and a half, and takes us through Tourtour via the mill, the fossil museum and the church of Saint-Denis. The old village includes medieval remains from the 12th century, vaulted passageways, old Provencal houses, a clock tower, and a beautiful village square.

In the Celtic language, Tur used to mean “climax”. The historic center of the town is in fact on two peaks, on which the inhabitants of the Middle Ages built the church and the castle. We, therefore, enjoy superb views of the surroundings and, very close, the Verdon Gorges are waiting for us!

Then, you must absolutely take the time to walk around Tourtour. From the Esplanade, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Fréjus, Mont Ventoux, and the Sainte-Montagne Victory.

Finally, when we decide to leave the village, the Aups road which leaves from Tourtour to enter the Parc du Verdon is simply magnificent.

Maison en pierre de Tourtour

Festivals and festivals in Tourtour

Many festivals and events take place in Tourtour, throughout the year. Among others, the famous Egg Festival takes place in the spring, which celebrates renewal and creativity. The feast of Saint-Denis, specific to Tourtour, takes place in October. Finally, the traditional Provençal festival of the village is organized in August and the Fête de la Musique on June 21 of course!

An excellent short film festival is held in Tourtour every year towards the end of July. “CourtsCourts” selects films from all over the world and invites us to see them outdoors at the Théâtre de Verdure. A children’s cinema category will delight your summer family evenings. However, open air music festival “Piano dans le ciel” lets you discover and listen to classical music under the stars and takes place in early August. The festival celebrated its 10 years in 2018.

Also Pottery Crafts Market is an important meeting of the summer. Warm and authentic, it is also organized in August.

Where to eat well in Tourtour?

As the tourist office in Tourtour put it so well, “there is no shortage of good food and the lodging is guaranteed! ”

Among the ten restaurants present in Tourtour, there is something for everyone. First, there are restaurants serving traditional cuisine. La Farigoulette, for instance, is ideally located in the village square and enjoys a superb view. A very good grill restaurant is located at Domaine Saint-Pierre: Les Pins Tranquilles. The chef Georges Collignon invites you to taste his specialties, among other delicacies his famous ribs! If you are looking for creative and more refined cuisine, you may choose La Table. This gourmet restaurant opened in Tourtour in 2003 and managed by chef Laurent Guyon, will be an ideal choice. Finally, among other possibilities, an oriental cuisine restaurant, Mimounia and a crêperie-saladerie, L’Alechou, both located in Rue Grande. So plan a little time to be able to taste several meals in Tourtour before leaving to enjoy the Verdon natural park!

 

Tourtour, vue depuis le restaurant La Mimounia

 

Where to sleep well in Tourtour?

We also eat very well in the different hotels in Tourtour. Go and discover the Bastide de Tourtour. In addition to enjoying very good meals, you can attend cooking classes given by chefs Stéphan Martinot and Patrick Rivière. An interesting concept, where you can both enjoy yourself and learn a few cooking secrets. Moreover, you will enjoy this magnificent bastide in the heart of a four-hectare estate with a magnificent panorama. The hotel, classified four stars, has a spa for maximum relaxation after enjoying the sports activities offered by the Verdon Natural Park.

Other hotels welcome you in Tourtour. For example, La petite Auberge, quiet and a little away from the village center, is open from April to October. The Auberge St Pierre which offers rooms and apartments and the Mas des Collines are other possibilities. In addition to the hotels, Tourtour offers a number of bed and breakfasts, gîtes and holiday rentals. Do not hesitate to ask for precise information at the Tourist Office.

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Séjour canoé Verdon

Trek ou Descente aquatique du Verdon sur 3 ou 5 jours

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Séjour canoé Verdon

Découvrez nos séjours en itinérance

Trek ou Descente aquatique du Verdon sur 3 ou 5 jours