Tournefort, Municipality in Alpes-Maritimes, France
Tournefort is a municipality in the Alpes-Maritimes that spreads across mountainous terrain with elevation changes ranging from 171 to 1,304 meters (561 to 4,278 feet). The original settlement was abandoned over time and the population relocated to the La Colle area, where the current community now lives.
The Knights Templar established a hospice and acquired lands in this area during the 12th century, marking the earliest recorded settlement. This religious presence shaped the region's development over the following centuries.
The old village holds a 17th-century church and a chapel that show how local communities expressed their faith over centuries. These buildings remain as places where residents once gathered for worship and celebration.
The original settlement sits on steep, hilly ground that requires sturdy footwear to explore properly. The current community in La Colle offers easier access, though the old core remains worth visiting for those interested in seeing where people once lived.
A military fort was built between 1883 and 1890 to protect the nearby city of Nice from potential invasion. This fortification shows how the region served as part of France's coastal defense network during that era.
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