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The Violet of Toulouse is characterised by its bluish purple colour. It has a double flower (twice the usual number of petals) and is therefore larger than most other varieties of violet. It flowers from October to April. Before the widespread use of greenhouses, it was one of the rare fresh flowers sold during the winter.
A bit of History:
Initially Violets of Toulouse were cultivated north of the town. Since the middle of the XIXth century the flowers have been sold at the Marché aux Violettes des Jacobins and in the streets of the city centre. The heyday of the Violet of Toulouse was in the first half of the XXth century when it was exported throughout Europe as far as Russia. The extremely severe winter of 1956 resulted in major losses for many producers. At the same time other plants were starting![]()
to be cultivated in greenhouses for the winter market. In 1985 only a handful of violet producers remained in business when the agronomist, Adrien Roucolle, decided to stimulate the cultivation of the Violet of Toulouse to avoid its extinction. He created a conservatory in the Municipal Greenhouses. Today the numerous producers of Violets of Toulouse are again thriving.
Derivative products:
The flower is sold as a bouquet and for a long time it was the only fresh flowers available during the winter months.However, numerous derivatives are also produced from the violet flower
violet-flavoured sugar crystals have been available since the XIXth century. They are usually available in small boxes whose lids are decorated with violet flowers and used to decorate cakes and pastries.The first "Violette de Toulouse" perfume was created in 1936 buy on-line
A violet liqueur was created in 1950 buy on-line - see cocktails
violet syrup, violet jelly, violet ice cream, violet honey, violet cocktails and even violet incense are now available.
To learn more about the Violet of Toulouse read
Sandrine Banessy's book "La Violette de Toulouse"
A few links:
Toulouse, cité des violettes - a personal site about Violets of Toulouse
La Maison de la Violette - a barge on the Canal du Midi in Toulouse and dedicated to Violets of ToulouseBuy online
Regals, Toulouse - for all violet products
Cave spirituelle - violet liqueur, violet tea, violet sweets...
Couleurs de Vie Zen - Original Berdoues® Violet of Toulouse perfume
La Boutique de Bébrix - Violet perfumes and soaps; violet flavored Sweets, violet apéritif, liqueur and jam as well as numerous books about violets.
ÓMike Briley & Chantal Moret 1999-2009