"Les Arts au Coeur du Village" (arts in the heart of the village) is an annual cultural event organised in the perched Var village of Tourrettes. Held in the middle of July since 2024, it celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. A rich "special edition" program will be offered to visitors, with artistic performances, discovery workshops, a major closing concert and much, much more...
The village association brings together an average of 70 artists each year, who exhibit in the village in just about every place imaginable; adorning the places, squares, walls and benches of the village. Demonstration workshops will be placed at different strategic points and there is a free pictorial expression workshop for children set up in the shade of the plane trees on Place de la Mairie.
The Saturday features drinks at noon (with the elected officials of the canton) and a musical performance in the evening (usually programmed to suit all ages and encourage people to dance).
The 20th edition of Les Arts au Coeur du Village - 2024
The event welcomes artists from the Canton of Fayence, as well as from neighbouring departments of Provence; in order to promote Art in all its forms. As you can see from the poster below, you could exhibit yourself (if you are brave enough) as long as you apply well in advance and have a good portfolio.
This year the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 13-14th July. There will be paintings, sculptures, ceramics, street art, and live performances to entertain visitors.
Check out the vibe
This video from France 3 News gives you a feel for the artistic spirit of the village; which is, in fact, full of arty little shops at any time of the year:
How to Get there
By train/taxi: Take a train on the super-fast TGV route to Saint-Raphaël Valescure station, then catch a local taxi for the 35km drive up to Tourrettes.
By car: Leave the A8 (Nice – Aix en Provence) autoroute at exit 39 (direction "Fayence /Les Adrets de l 'Estérel") and drive a delightful route around the Lake of Saint-Cassien on the D37 into the Valley of Fayence. Follow signs from there on the D562, D19, D219 to the centre of the village.
By bus: Whilst car is probably your best bet, you can reach Tourrettes by bus with a bit of effort. The village is served by the ZOU regional network; and timetables are available at their website: https://zou.maregionsud.fr/
Resources
The official website for the Festival
The Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office website
Accommodation
With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Villa with private pool & panoramic view in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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