La Colle-sur-Loup is organizing “Around the Rose” from May 8 to 10, in remembrance of the town’s agricultural past. Indeed, the Centifolia rose and perfume flowers were extensively cultivated in the last century on the Collois territory and had made La Colle-sur-Loup one of the main suppliers to the Grasse perfumeries and the azure capital of these mythical flowers.
The festival retraces the history of these crops and honors the rose in all its forms: planting, cosmetics, distillation, but also gastronomy, lifestyle, and aesthetics…
This festive event features numerous activities from Friday to Sunday evening for a weekend decidedly focused on perfume plants!
Starting on Friday evening, the festival will open with an exceptional inaugural evening: a majorette show (roses, naturally!) throughout the village streets before enjoying the delights of a pastry demonstration by Jean-Michel Llorca and a rose cocktail… Then, let the fun begin with the Rose Ball. Accordion, lanterns, and musette for good cheer, with just one requirement: a touch of pink for the dress code!
Saturday is ideally the day for children. They are given a prominent place in the festivities, with numerous creative workshops, a grand treasure hunt on the theme of the rose in the village, and a floral decoration contest for… bikes, scooters, and hats of all kinds.
For culture enthusiasts, let yourself be guided through the “La Colle in the Time of Flowers” exhibition to discover all weekend long, or enjoy the projection of the restored original film “The Rose Festival” by the Seï Sacoulié association, followed by a must-attend conference-debate in the early evening.
On Sunday, the rose will be celebrated in all its forms: from the rosarian and nursery market and gardening workshops for flower enthusiasts in its original version to demonstrations of rose soap-making or rose water distillation for those who prefer to discover its multiple possible transformations… not to mention the exhibitions, film screenings, and dances for the heritage part… or the many creative and culinary workshops for adults and children, naturally on the theme of the rose!
