Tourtour is a French medieval village located in the Var Department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France. Join us as we stroll through the mazes formed by the old alleys, with its arcades, the clock tower, the Portalet and magnificent houses. Nature reclaims an old staircase in Tourtour, stirring curiosity. Amidst the encroaching green, a cat flap remains – does a feline friend still wander these steps? Spring breathes life into Tourtour, its gentle warmth nurturing early blooms. Lush greenery and first flowers whisper of renewal and the quiet joy of new beginnings. Chateau of Joseph Raphélis, who was lord of Tourtour, constructed in 1650. Please subscribe - it's free and if you are watching on your television - subscribe easily using your phone camera to scan the QR code image about to appear on your screen. Next to the square is an area set aside for games of Boules, and this is also where you'll find the the twice-weekly market, held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Near the castle are two bronze sculptures by Bernard Buffet, an artist who lived in Tourtour. Bernard Buffet was a world renowned artist and engraver born in 1923. The Flambe and The Lucane were placed outside the Communal castle in 2009. They represent the memory of the Buffet couple who lived in Tourtour from 1986 to 1999. Chateau of Joseph Raphélis stands in the middle of the village with a panoramic view that is rare in the region, and can be seen from the gardens. The communal castle has belonged to the municipality/town hall since 1952, here you will also find the nurses office and the doctor's surgery. Perched at an altitude of 635 m. Tourtour is rightly called The village in the sky of Provence - 'Le Village dans le Ciel de Provence'. Place de Latrinite, with its beautiful fountain is a renowned spot for a photograph. We loved the calming sound of the water. A typical Provencal street in Tourtour, shaded by an avenue of trees, offers respite from the sun and a haven for birds, their songs harmonizing with the charm of the village. Tourtour is classified among the most beautiful villages of France - Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and has been a member of the association since 1991. The Portalet/Le Portalet is at the Eastern entry of the village. This porch used to be closed then was opened to allow cars to pass and was later widened for buses. Before visiting France take a look at Les Plus Beaux Vilage de France website. There are many other beautiful villages close to Tourtour, such as: Cotignac, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Bargème and Seillans, that are definitely worth a visit. Bureau Information Touristique, it offers free WIFI and a shop area offering hiking maps, postcards and fishing licences. Place des Ormeaux, the heart of Tourtour. Here, under ancient trees, locals and visitors mingle, sharing stories and soaking up the warm, communal spirit of Provence. Place des Ormeaux used to have two enormous elm trees in the village square for several centuries. They were planted by Anne of Austria at Tourtour during her pilgrimage to Cotignac in 1638. In 1985 they were replaced by two olive trees due to old age. Place des Ormeaux Fontaine is one of eight public fountains in Tourtour. It is the most important, located in the center of the village. Restored in 1853 and then again in 2006, the fountain is made of Candelon marble (Brignoles), pink marble crossed by purple veins, which cannot now be found. Tour tour is 'un village fleuri' - a flowery village. The village is classified 2 flowers by the - Villes et Villages Fleuris le label National de la Qualite de Vie. Théâtre de verdure, an open air venue for films and concerts - constructed in 2012. Wild red poppies flower among dandelions, embodying peace and renewal. Their vibrant blooms beside this open-air theatre warms the soul and celebrates nature's simple joys, you can feel the warmth of Spring emerging in Provence. 'Moulin à huile communal' - the communal oil mill dates back to the 18th century. It still operates in the traditional way from December to February, depending on the olive harvest. Tourtour is very picturesque, a beautiful medieval village, it had been an important town since the 12th century. Remnants of more ancient buildings are found in the village. Tourtour is a popular village with tourists, who love to explore the medieval village, seeking out the art galleries, shops and dining in the beautiful terraced restaurants. The village of Tourtour itself dates back to the Roman settlement of Pontus Tortorii, established in the 4th century. You can see the remnants of an oil press in the beautifully preserved stone arches. ‘Fontaine moussue, ou pétrifiante’ - moss or petrified fountain. This is the channel which brings the water down from the wash house. The stone of the fountain must be cut back every 4 years in order to prevent it from blocking the road by significant development of tufa (petrified plant moss by limestone). At the Battle of Tourtour in 973 AD, the Christian army of William I of Provence won an important battle against the invading Saracens. For the next 800 years, up to the time of the French Revolution, Tourtour and the surrounding area was ruled by Seigneurs (Lords). Love our walking tours, please consider Buying us a Coffee, link in description below, helps keep the cameras rolling, so we can take even more walks together with you. Tourtour grew into an important town in the 12th century. The oldest defensive ramparts are around the 12th century castle followed by the gates that were built in the 14th and 15th centuries on Grand Rue. La Tour de l'horloge dates from the 19th century. The bell located in the Tourtour clock tower dates from 1665 and weighs about 165kg. 'Rue du countadou' - the narrow street. Squeeze along the alley and find one of the smallest houses in France. 'Countadou' means counting two by two in Provençal. This narrow street in between two house fronts, allowed the sheep to pass two by two which helped to count them. The shepherds would sit at the 3 windows of the tiny house to have a better view of their flock of sheep. Walk along the alleys and a three-storey house catches the eye, it is the smallest three-level house in France, it defines the term 'compact & bijou'. Now we arrive on the second floor. Could you imagine living here? At least it would be dry and warm with simple home comforts. The third and final floor of this very tiny house. The most compact space I have ever filmed in. Toufik Sounni, a self-taught artist, born in Morocco in 1949. Known for his distinctive liberal style using both acrylic and oil paints on canvas. It was my deepest pleasure to meet with him and learn a little about his life and his love for the beautiful art he creates. Thank you for giving me some of your time Toufik. Love your work. Link in the description to learn more about his wonderful art. Looking out over the vineyards and rolling hills, you can see why Paul Cézanne loved to paint the views in this region. Tourtour is located between the towns of Draguignan and Aups. It’s around 50km to the Mediterranean coast and 40km to the Gorges du Verdon from the village. Tourtour had featured in many films. Its hotel, The Bastide de Tourtour, was prominently featured in Day of the Jackal and the 2010 ITV series Monte Carlo or bust. It costs nothing to subscribe, yet each click opens a world of free, breathtaking adventures. Don't miss a walk - hit subscribe for your next virtual getaway! 'Lavoir de Tourtour' - the wash house was built in 1778, when residents complained about the poor quality of the stones used to beat the laundry along the stream. One of the pillars has inlays of semi-precious stones made by locals. Love our walking tours, please consider Buying us a Coffee, link in description below, helps keep the cameras rolling, so we can take even more walks together with you. 'Vieux Château' - the old castle dates to the 12th century - Château de Laval on the Rue des caves. Built in 1670, the Holy Trinity Chapel in Tourtour, once held by the White Penitents, rests over buried brethren and lords. Reclaimed and returned to worship in 1806. Claire Olivain’s beautiful art has appeared in many prestigious galleries, including La Galerie Toile et Tableaux, La Galerie Raphaël in Versailles, L'espace Castillon in Toulon. Visit her gallery and shop in Tourtour and you will fall in love with her unique art, using old oak staves from sherry casks and barrels as her canvas. Website link in description. Lime trees lead to the church atop Tourtour, offering panoramic views from its esplanade and cemetery, where the vast plain unfolds in breathtaking beauty. L'Église Saint Denis dates from the early 11th century. The church is of Romanesque architecture and was rebuilt on the site of the primitive church of the Middle Ages. There are several interesting religious artefacts including 16th century busts of Saint-Stephen and Saint-Nicolas. La Table d’orientation, the village occupies the highest point in the area, giving beautiful views of Mont Ventoux, the Massif des Maures or the Sainte Baume.
