Tourrette-Levens is a town in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, 12 kilometers north of Nice.
The communal territory ranges from 160 to 845 m above sea level, and traces of human occupation dating from the Neolithic then the Gallo-Roman era have been uncovered. However, the village has historically formed on a rocky spur, 400 m above sea level, where was built a castle in the twelfth century, seat of a lordship held by the family of Chabaud until the seventeenth.
The habitat then developed beyond the medieval heart of the city.
Long focused on agricultural activity (wheat growing, market gardening, olive trees), Tourrette-Levens experienced a strong demographic growth from the 1970s and now has nearly 5,000 inhabitants. The small town having preserved its old center has thus become a cultural stronghold (museums, exhibitions) while highlighting its exceptional environment near the coast. It offers the visitor a singular image of a village perched around its castle and splendid panoramas on the coast that will punctuate pleasant hikes.
A must for anyone staying on the Riviera.
The visitor discovering Tourrette-Levens immediately perceives the cultural and artistic dimension of the locality where contemporary works and sculptures signed Max Cartier, Jean-Pierre Augier or Ernest Pignon-Ernest, in particular, were installed at the entrance as in the main points of the city.
In order to apprehend the rich historical heritage of the town, we will then go to the castle, erected in the 11th and 12th centuries on a spur. Formerly surrounded by ramparts and with six towers (only one remains today), it has kept its keep and several buildings. It dominates the valley and the medieval village once enclosed in the walled enclosure.
A pleasant walk in this medieval heart with narrow and picturesque streets leads to the place where was built in the Middle Ages the chapel of the White Penitents of which there remains only a triangular pinnacle. Note that from the square, interesting views overlook the surrounding mountains and old parcels market garden now urbanized.
To see then, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, rebuilt in a baroque style in the sixteenth century on the basis of a first building of the twelfth. Enlarged in the eighteenth, listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments, it houses including magnificent frescoes of the nineteenth completely restored in 2013. Not to be missed yet inside, the main altar and its altarpiece, a set of carved wood and gilded in 1719. Baroque style, this altarpiece already expresses some rococo (fronton populated with animated cherubs). Other statues of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and especially paintings of the seventeenth and eighteenth are also visible, and of course the frescoes adorning the vault of the nave.
The chapel of Caïre restored in 2000 and the one dedicated to Saint-Antoine, built at the beginning of the 17th century, are worth the detour.
Back to the castle to discover the collections of one of the four museums of the city (three are public). The Museum of Butterflies and Natural History has since the 1990s a collection regularly enriched with butterflies and insects from around the world. The museum has set itself the mission of creating a true "conservatory" of natural history. A room dedicated to local history and a medieval garden are also presented. Open every afternoon except Mondays. Free entry. Information on +33 4 93 91 03 20.
Then place the trades museum, located in a house on the ramparts. Fifteen rooms host a unique collection of 7,000 antique tools. Free admission every afternoon except Mondays. Information on +33 4 97 20 54 60.
Nearby, the Museum of Prehistory addresses essential themes of the Paleolithic period, including the excavations carried out at Tourrette-Levens on the sites of Baume Périgaud and the cave of Merle. More than 7 million years are presented on a dozen rooms. Free admission every afternoon except Mondays. Information on +33 4 97 20 54 60.
Finally, the private circus museum was founded by Alain Frère, who has always been passionate about the circus world and also the mayor of the town. Co-founder of the Monte-Carlo festival, he gathered at his home a unique collection of documents, costumes, posters, models... Visit by appointment. Information on +33 4 93 91 00 16 or +33 4 93 91 03 20.
On the cultural level again, exhibitions and quality shows are regularly scheduled in the cultural area. Information on +33 4 93 91 00 16.
For hiking enthusiasts, many routes of varying difficulty to perform on the day or half day were designed and marked. From undergrowth to peaks or valleys, they include the local heritage sites and most of them include lookouts offering views of the sea, the mountain and the surrounding villages. Documentation and information at +33 4 93 91 00 16 or +33 4 93 37 78 78.
In mid-April, a medieval festival is held at the castle and in the medieval center of the town. In a convivial and festive atmosphere are programmed costumed parades, shows evoking the Middle Ages and musical entertainment.
In June, on the occasion of the Fête Dieu, the so-called slug procession is now open to the entire population and travels through the city lit by candles or, according to tradition, by snail shells filled oil...
In July and August, the Musical Nights of the castle program concerts (mostly classical music) in the grounds of the castle converted into a theater of greenery.
In early September, patronal feast with convivial meal, fun activities, dance shows...
