The Turtle Village is a ten-hectare animal park located in Carnoules, at the foot of the Massif des Maures.
Explaining the physiology of turtles by a village volunteer guide
The site was created in May 1988 by the association SOPTOM (Station of observation and protection of the turtles and their environments) in order to work for the protection of the tortoise of Hermann. The site now hosts various facilities such as the turtle clinic, hatcheries, nurseries or various enclosures.
As part of a rigorous scientific program, the association raises Hermann's turtles for reintroduction into the wild. In addition to this indigenous land tortoise, the association also protects an indigenous aquatic turtle, cistude.
It has also collected over the years a large number of exotic turtles, often resulting from customs seizures, which constitute a major tourist attraction of the place. These animals are an important part of SOPTOM's information and awareness-raising policy.
The site is home to more than 2,500 turtles that are treated, raised, and then put back into the wilderness to save some species threatened by urbanization and fires that reduce its habitat.