All about the renown Fig "Violette de Sollies"

Tour in the French Fig Capital !

The history of the fig

While some places are famous for their wine or their cheese, Solliès-Pont in known for its fig, more precisely its “violette”. The fig finds in Vallée du Gapeau (which could be translated as Gapeau Valley) the perfect geological and meteorological conditions. Coupled with the know-how of the producers, it has made the “Violette de Solliès” a flagship production of the region and a real pride for a long time. The fig became so renowned that it earned two quality labels: an AOC in 2006 and a PDO in 2011!

In the lower valley, fruits, cereals, vines, and olive trees have been cultivated since the middle-ages. During the 19^th century the fruit production was sold to local, national and North-West European markets. We even know that in 1907, 18,000 kg of fresh figs were shipped daily during the peak season! It is in the 1950’s that the fig tree became the dominant and emblematic crop of the Solliès area.

The festival

This fruit became so important in the valley that the last weekend of August has been devoted to it with the “Fête de la figue” for 23 years. The first evening hosts a fig-based meal cooked specially for the occasion by a renowned chef. A must-do in Vallée du Gapeau!

Find out more at the farm!

If you want to find out more about this local treasure, you can visit a family-run farm during the year. The Trucco’s have been harvesting fruits and vegetables here since 1926, and they’ve also been selling home-made local products, such as soup or jam. Benjamin will share his know-how and passion during these visits where you’ll get the chance to taste his local products.

The harvest usually takes place between August 15th and November 15^th