Violets in the Pink City

Toulouse is nicknamed la ville rose (The Pink City) because of its pink bricks. They're everywhere! But today we learned about something else the city is known for- its violets!

This afternoon we took a trip to La Maison de la Violette (The House of the Violet), a shop selling all things violet. This is not any ordinary store, however. It is on a barge that has been permanantly docked on the Canal du Midi since 2000, a stone's throw away from the Toulouse's central train station.

Here, students learned about the history of the Toulouse Violet. 

According to legend... in 1850, a French soldier who had been left behind following one of Napoleon's military campaigns returned from Parma, Italy. He brought with him a violet from that region, intending to offer it to his partner as a gesture of apology for his long absence. The residents of Toulouse were captivated by this flower, drawn to its enchanting fragrance and abundant petals. Its remarkable trait of blooming exclusively in the winter months (December to March) was rare among flowers. Soon after, this distinctive variety began to be cultivated throughout the region and eventually was exported to all corners of Europe.

During the visit, we had the opportunity to sample some violet treats.

• Violet biscuits- butter cookies with a mild violet flavor and scent.
• Crystallized violets- enjoyed as a snack, to decorate cakes/desserts, or in a sparking drink.
• Violet chocolate- dark choclate with violet pearls. This was the overall favorite of the three!
   

There are a number of locally produced products available for sale at La Maison de la Violette. And yes, of course, they all include violets in one way or another! At the end of our visit, students that the opportunity to do some shopping. There is just one more week left on program, so it was time to buy some souvenirs for friends and family back home!