Tournemire (Cantal)

Tournemire is in Cantal in the Auvergne region of France. 

The village is classed among the 'most beautiful villages of France'. 

The village sits on a tree covered hill overlooking the valley of the River Doire and falls in the Cantal mountains at the southern edge of the Natural Park of the Auvergne volcanoes.

The history of the village is tied up with two families - the Tournemire and the Anjony, and their battles to control the village.

Parking is available on the edge of the village - the village itself is not accessible to vehicles (residents only can enter by car) - with a small tourist office next to the car park.

The village is small, yet perfectly formed, with many attractive small houses and easy to visit - the road follows a loop around the village, with a path leading off to the castle at the top.

Some of the houses are said to have been built on earlier Roman foundations, and almost all are built from the local volcanic rock with slate roofs.

The large-turretted Chateau de Anjony that dominates the village of Tournemire is a sturdy castle with fortified walls and round towers in each corner

 Dates from the 15th century, with the adjacent living accommodation added 
in the 18th century - the castle is open to visitors.