This delicate, unobtrusive flower that symbolises the “ville rose” is thought to have arrived in Toulouse in the 19th Century, brought back by French soldiers from the Napoleonic wars. It rapidly made the fortunes of horticulturalists, florists, perfumers and confectioners. The flower was greatly sought after for its delicate perfume and, when transformed, was enjoyed in a variety of forms, including crystallised violets (from the late 19th Century: it was not until 1936 that the 1st violet perfume was made in Toulouse by “Parfums Berdoues” and 1950 that violet liqueur was made by Mr. Serres).

In the early 19th Century, over 600,000 bouquets were sent every year to Paris, Northern Europe (including Russia) and even Canada. 600 growers were involved in producing the crop on twenty hectares of land. Sadly, this winter flower fell victim to viruses and fungi and virtually disappeared as a result. Its method of reproduction was also difficult as it required human intervention. The development of greenhouse growing techniques also meant that flowers other than violets could be grown in winter. In 1985, teams of researchers were brought in to save the violet (including the agricultural engineer Adrien Roucolle); it was re-born “in vitro” and a plant conservatory was set up. Growers have since started up production again and the greenhouses in north Toulouse are once again full of this characteristic scent.

The “Terre de Violettes” association was founded in 1993, containing manufacturers producing perfume, liqueurs and crystallised violets, growers and enthusiasts. Terre de Violettes worked to create media interest and launched the Violet Festival in an attempt to give a new boost to the flower and modernise its image. The major TV channels and the press in France and abroad began talking about Toulouse violets. Terre de Violettes continued its work until 2003, when Toulouse City Council officially organised the Violet Festival.

 

 

With its double flowers and mauve blue colour, the “ville rose’s” little violet continues to fascinate the people of Toulouse, who celebrate their symbolic flower in mid-February each year during the “Journées Violettes”, or “Violet Open Days”, a unique opportunity to explore the National Violet Conservatory, founded in Toulouse City Council’s municipal greenhouses in 1994 to house a superb collection of violet plants made up of 80 varieties of violets from different countries such as China and Japan.

Discover the violet

The Museum’s Henri Gaussens Botanical Garden

www.museum.toulouse.fr

Take home some violet-based products

La péniche la Maison de la violette www.lamaisondelaviolette.com
Violette et Pastels www.violettesetpastels.fr
Parfums Berdoues www.parfumsberdoues.com
Candiflor www.candiflor.fr
Toulouse Tourist Office shop

Tasting violets

La Maison de la violette tea room - May to October only www.lamaisondelaviolette.com
Confiserie Régals www.regals.fr
Liqueur Benoît Serres www.benoit-serres.com