Tournemire’s village landscape is characterised by stone walls, steep roofs made of slate or slate slabs, monumental staircases and hanging balconies. The Château d’Anjony is classified as a historic monument and has been open to the public for more than 90 years. The tour takes visitors across four floors and along the battlements.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment can plan their stay in Tournemire.
Culture
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built by the de Tournemire family in the 12th century. It houses a reliquary containing a thorn from Christ’s crown. The Romanesque vaulting has been preserved in the original choir, while the Gothic chapels contain burial niches. The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste is open daily.
Other historic buildings add to the village landscape: Le Nanet is a three-storey fortified manor house dating from the 15th century. It features a staircase protected by a loophole, a coat of arms, a vaulted cellar and visible remains of a bread oven. Le Gardou is a medieval house with a mullioned window and a monumental staircase.
Nature and trails
Tournemire is one of the 147 municipalities in the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d’Auvergne. The Le petit tour de Tournemire circular trail is 3.57 km long, marked in blue and rated moderate; it is suitable for families with children. The route follows shaded paths and offers panoramic views from the Calvaire.
The Calvaire stands on the Roquerouge rocky outcrop above the Doire valley and includes crosses depicting Christ and the two thieves. The PR Le Puy de Girgols hike starts at the car park at the entrance to Tournemire and leads to the Cascade de Lavergne. The hike to the Puy de Girgols starts in Tournemire, is 12 km long and takes approximately 4 hours.
History
Les Grottes are presumably the oldest settlement or residential site in the village of Tournemire. Beam holes for anchoring floor supports and traces of former fireplaces have been preserved in the rock. Another cave was used as a stable until recently.
Getting around
The tour of Tournemire is on foot, starting from the large visitor car park at the entrance to the village next to the tourist office. For children aged 8 and over, the offer includes the “Les Secrets de Tournemire” activity booklet from the Philomène collection.
