At the Cirque de Tournemire lies a natural area with a remarkable palaeontological history: the complete skeleton of the 180-million-year-old marine reptile Occitanosaurus tournemirensis was discovered here. The Cirque de Tournemire ENS (Sensitive Natural Area) covers about 130 hectares and marks the boundary between the Avant-Causses and the Causse du Larzac. The Cirque is therefore defined both by its position between these landscape regions and by the fossil discovery.

Natural landscape and fossils

The Cirque has a developed car park, an interpretive trail and an information panel. The “Espace Nature Aveyron” mobile app provides information about the Cirque’s wildlife and plant life and introduces the ENS trail. Visitors can therefore find orientation and information about nature both on site and in the app.

The Maison du Plésiosaure offers another perspective: its information panels cover geology, plesiosaurs, flora, birds and bats. The Maison also displays a replica of the marine reptile’s skeleton. Anyone interested in geological history can find information about plesiosaurs and a skeletal replica here, alongside the nature topics.

Walks by starting point and destination

The route From the Maison de Vigne to St-Jean-d'Alcas starts at the car park of the Maison du Plésiosaure. It is 20.68 kilometres long and has 497 metres of ascent. This provides specific figures for both the route length and the elevation gain when planning.

A walking route to Roquefort starts at Tournemire-Roquefort railway station and passes over the Col des Aiguières. By contrast, the walk at the Cirque de Tournemire starts at the car park by the town hall in the village centre. The routes therefore vary by starting point and destination: Roquefort, the Cirque or the route to St-Jean-d'Alcas each offers a different walking plan.

Local history and getting there

The history of the buildings is another specific point of interest in Tournemire. The church of Tournemire, Saint Martin de Lodies, was built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Tournemire-Roquefort railway station dates from October 1874. The church is thus placed within a period of construction, while a specific month and year are recorded for the station.

For travel by train, the current service is relevant: Tournemire-Roquefort railway station is served by the Intercité Aubrac. Check the timetable for your travel date if you are including the train connection in your plans. The station is also the starting point of the walking route to Roquefort described above.

A culinary highlight

Broche et Gourmandises keeps alive the tradition of gâteau à la broche. This adds a distinct culinary focus alongside the themes of landscape, fossils and walking. If you would like to consider this tradition as well as trails and nature during your stay in Tournemire, you can add a visit to your plans.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Léons, Saint-Amans-Des-Cots, Nauviale, Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, Saint-Cyprien-Sur-Dourdou, Flagnac, Jaux, Sauveterre-De-Rouergue.

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