Turriers: Discover Nature and Cultural Heritage

Turriers can be explored through several specific themes: a landscape shaped by glaciers, the Bois Noir discovery trail, and local architecture and history. If you are looking for a hotel in Turriers, this overview can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Landscape and Road Layout

Turriers lies in a glacially formed basin, surrounded by peaks with different types of rock. The basin describes the broader landscape, while the peaks draw attention to the variety of rock types. The municipality also contains an area classified as a Natura 2000 site, where rare species can be found. Geology and the area’s rare species are thus distinct aspects of the natural environment.

The Tourniquets d’Astoin are a series of hairpin bends on the D1 departmental road. There, the road crosses a rock barrier formed from Jurassic limestone, north of the Sasse basin. The Tourniquets follow an older mule track, which was already marked on the 18th-century Cassini map. Here, you can consider the geological formation and the historic route together.

The Bois Noir Discovery Trail

The Bois Noir discovery trail explores the area around the Col des Sagnes, on the border between Bayons and Turriers. The marked circular route is 4 km long, with an elevation gain of 150 m; the stated duration is 2 hours 30 minutes. For planning purposes, read these figures as separate details: distance, elevation gain, and duration each describe a different aspect of the hike. The trail is designed for a fun, independent, and participatory experience.

Six stations cover gypsum, black marl, and black locust trees; introduce three conifer species and ten forest animals; and feature a beech forest setting as well as livestock farming, alpine pastures, and livestock guardian dogs. The stations bring together geological and forest-related content with topics connected to pastoral farming.

Church, Local History, and Regional Tastes

The parish church in the upper part of Turriers was rebuilt in 1870 on the site of an earlier chapel and is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Hermit. Two phases of construction are therefore associated with the same site: the former chapel and the rebuilding of the church in the 19th century.

Pierre Franco was born in Turriers between 1500 and 1505. The 16th-century French surgeon was a pioneer in the treatment of hernias and cataracts. The Fontaine d’Enchastrayes is another local landmark: it was restored in 2016. A parking area by the fountain allows hikers to park close to the hiking trails.

The Marché de Turriers is held weekly, with a few vendors. Products include cheese, vegetables, tourtons, meat, honey, and jams; the selection may vary. In Turriers, regional honey pastries are also recommended, along with wild boar pâtés and other juniper pâtés from a local artisan butcher. Local offerings may also vary.

To shape your stay, you can choose between these focuses: Bois Noir brings together nature and forest themes, while the parish church, Fontaine, and Pierre Franco offer different connections to local history.

Discover more destinations: Beauvezer, Aubignosc, La Motte-Du-Caire, Oppedette, Dauphin, Manosque, Mallefougasse-Augès, Saint-Jeannet

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.