Tournon: Castle Mound, Isère Plain and Experiences

Between the Bauges and the Isère

Tournon’s municipal area features a variety of landscapes. The north-western third lies on the Bauges massif and consists of plateaus and slopes. The remaining two-thirds form the Isère alluvial plain. Thus, both hills and river plain are part of the municipality’s landscape. This contrast offers a concrete starting point for exploring Tournon’s natural setting and considering which impressions matter to you on your trip.

La Tourmotte and the history of the village

La Tourmotte is a feudal castle mound dating from the 11th century. In the 13th century, it was incorporated into a much larger castle belonging to the Count of Savoy. The entrance and part of the enclosure are visible; the original castle mound survives beside the church. This sequence reveals two layers of history: the older mound and its later incorporation into the larger castle complex.

The church is also part of the village’s history: it was rebuilt between 1681 and 1701. At the foot of the bell tower is Notre Dame de Lourdes, a faithful replica of the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes. Together, the castle mound, visible remains of the castle and religious buildings offer several tangible ways to explore Tournon’s cultural heritage.

Play equipment and activities

The play equipment in Parc de la Tourmotte was completely replaced in 2023. The equipment renewed in 2023 included two Quids: one for children aged 6 to 12 and one for children aged 2 to 6. These separate age ranges give families a practical guide for planning; they describe the facilities at the time they were replaced.

At Aérodrome de Tournon, Aéro-Club d’Albertville offers pilot training, introductory and discovery flights, and recreational flying year-round, seven days a week. Check the specific operating arrangements directly with the club before your trip. For cyclists, a Véloroute starts at Tournon airfield. It passes through Albertville and Ugine, then follows the voie verte towards Annecy. Flying and cycling offer different ways to include physical activity in your trip planning.

Karting du Grand Arc offers introductory sessions and taster rides in a two-seater kart for children aged five and up, as well as for people with disabilities. These activities add to the cultural heritage and cycling route. If you’re planning a trip to Tournon with children, you can consider the age-related information about Parc de la Tourmotte and karting as different ideas for your itinerary.

Produce from Tournon

La Ferme du Coteau sells organic apples, pears, fruit juices, cider and compote. Depending on the season, weather and quantities available, it also offers plums, table grapes, quinces, strawberries, fruit purées, sweet cider and sparkling apple juice. The selection combines products that are listed year-round with others that may vary over the course of the year and according to availability.

The farm shop is located at 553 rue du bois de l’île. The tourist listing gives visiting hours as Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check the current opening details directly with the farm before visiting.

Find a holiday rental to suit your travel interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Tournon, it helps to decide in advance which experiences matter most: would you like your stay to focus on cultural heritage, a cycling route, aviation, go-karting or regional products?

Discover more destinations: Épagny, Entrevernes, Giez, Abondance, Châtillon-sur-Cluses, Viuz-En-Sallaz, Sallanches, Draillant.

For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Savoie.