Toulouse Violet

Toulouse, the 'Pink City' of southwestern France, has a second colour woven into its identity: the purple of the Toulouse violet. Introduced in the nineteenth century and cultivated by generations of local growers, the delicate winter-blooming flower became the city's emblem, sold as posies, crystallised sweets, perfumes, and liqueurs. Celebrated each February at the Fête de la Violette, the violet embodies the charm of a city equally famous for aerospace engineering and old-world romance.