Tournemire: Cirque, Fossils and Hiking Trails

In Tournemire, nature, geological history and hiking are key themes for a stay. The Cirque de Tournemire is both a landscape and the site where a marine reptile was found; the Maison du Plésiosaure explores these themes with a replica skeleton and information panels. There are also several hiking trails with different starting points, as well as a historic railway station and the Church of Saint Martin de Lodies. These highlights can help you decide whether Tournemire suits your travel interests.

The Cirque de Tournemire and its landscape

The Cirque de Tournemire ENS covers around 130 hectares and marks the boundary between the Avant-Causses and the Causse du Larzac. Its approximate area and location between these two named landscapes provide a geographic context for the natural area.

At the Cirque, there is a developed parking area, a discovery trail and an information panel. The “Espace Nature Aveyron” mobile app provides information about the Cirque’s wildlife and plant life and presents the ENS trail. This offers both facilities on site and a digital nature resource: the panel is part of the visitor infrastructure, while the app draws attention to the landscape and its trail.

Fossils and natural history

A complete skeleton of the 180-million-year-old marine reptile Occitanosaurus tournemirensiswas discovered at the Cirque de Tournemire. A replica of the skeleton can be seen at the Maison du Plésiosaure. Information panels there cover geology and plesiosaurs, as well as flora, birds and bats. The topics thus range from a specific fossil discovery to other aspects of natural history.

Hiking trails with different starting points

The “De La Maison de Vigne à St-Jean-d'Alcas” route starts at the Maison du Plésiosaure car park. It is 20.68 kilometres long and has 497 metres of ascent. Its length and elevation gain provide two specific details to help you plan your hike.

A hiking route to Roquefort starts at Tournemire-Roquefort station and passes over the Col des Aiguières. Another hike at the Cirque de Tournemire starts at the car park by the town hall in the village centre. The trails therefore differ in their starting points; the route to Roquefort is also described as passing over the Col. You can use these details to see how the hiking options described fit with your own plans.

Local history and getting there

Tournemire’s church, Saint Martin de Lodies, was built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Tournemire-Roquefort station was established in October 1874. Today, it is served by the Intercité Aubrac. If you plan to travel on this train, it is worth checking the timetable for your travel date.

A culinary tradition

The Broche et Gourmandises workshop keeps alive the tradition of gâteau à la broche. A tasting is part of the visit’s conclusion. This adds a specific culinary connection to the nature and hiking themes.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cabanès, Le Vibal, Castelnau-Pégayrols, Sénergues, Brusque, Connac, Sainte-Croix, Palmas

For the broader travel overview: Aveyron.