I was sent back from the passport control to the visa desk actually, because I never bought a visa to Turkey before either. There were large signs up with tens of flags of countries that needed to buy visas. Including, I think, all EU countries. With my Dutch passport I never had to buy a visa before, but it looks like it's policy now. Cash cow mostly.
hmmm not true, not all Eu citizens. I was just in TUR 2 weeks ago and passed the border with no fees. I'm French.
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa
Yep, French citizens are exempt. As are Germans, Japanese, and even Syrians, among others.