Surprise that special someone or add a charming note to your gatherings with this gorgeous crystal bonbonnière filled with the exquisite specialty from the city of Toulouse in southwestern France: the crystallized violets, made by the Candiflor shop that turns all kinds of flowers into confections, are the most delicate confections the world has to offer. Bonbonnière measures 4.5 x 2’'. (27.9 oz).

The violets are made by the Candiflor shop situated in Toulouse, a city situated in the Southwest of France. The making of sweet flowers dates from the 13th century. During that time, the flowers were simply cooked in sugar and sold by apothecaries. Two hundred years ago, a few candy-makers tried to make confections out of natural flowers. That is how the Candiflor shop was born in 1818 and since then, violets, roses, and lilies have been turned into delicious confections exclusively by hand. The history of the crystallized violet is linked to the story of the flower itself that became the symbol of Toulouse. In 1323, seven troubadours who wanted to preserve Occitan culture came up with the idea of a poetry contest that was later called “l'Académie des Jeux Floraux”. The winner of the best poem was awarded a golden violet. The violet is also linked to the period of the Empire (1799-1815) as it became Bonaparte's symbol when he was forced into exile on the island of Elba in 1814 and promised his supporters he would return to France with violets. As a result, Napoleon's Loyalists nicknamed him “Corporal Violet” and when he returned to France in late March 1815, he laid violets on Empress Josephine's grave before being exiled to Saint Helena. During the Restoration period (1815-1830), entire fields of violets were torn down as a reaction against him. A few years later, the violet cult was revived and led by Empress Eugénie, Napoleon III's wife who was named the protector of the horticulturists' club of Toulouse.