A forest trail, the rustling of the wind in the leaves, birdsong, and the spectacle of a river plunging into the void to crash beautifully onto the rocks below. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? So come and recharge your batteries in the heart of nature, and breathe in the fresh air of our countryside on a walk to a waterfall. We may not have Niagara Falls, but France’s waterfalls are nothing to be ashamed of. You’ll find them all over the country, often thanks to word of mouth from locals. But if you’re looking for ideas for destinations for the coming weekend, let us recommend some of the most beautiful waterfalls in France.
The Hérisson waterfalls, Jura
Hérisson Waterfalls (Jura department) – l’Eventail. By Parrad.adrien — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascades_3.jpg
These are definitely among the top five waterfalls you must see. They are located in the Jura, nicknamed ‘little Canada’ for its many lakes and beautiful forests. This is where you will find the Hérisson waterfall walking trail. There are eight waterfalls in total, which cascade down gradually, ending in a spectacular finale at the ‘fan’. For an even more impressive view, visit just after a flood or in the middle of winter, when the river is frozen solid.
The Mortain waterfalls, Manche
The Mortain Waterfalls, Manche – La Petite Cascade. By Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Petite_Cascade_(26071762890).jpg
The commune of Mortain is fortunate to have two waterfalls on its territory: the Grande and the Petite. This wooded wetland area is protected, as it provides the ideal conditions for endemic plant and animal species to thrive. The waterfalls are accessible after a short walk through the forest. There you will see the Cance river winding its way over the rocks in a setting of ferns. It almost feels like a fairy kingdom.
The Nideck waterfall, Bas-Rhin
Nideck Waterfall. By Vassil — Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascade_du_Nideck_02_05_2012_1.jpg
Our friends in the Grand Est region are privileged to have a beautiful waterfall just a stone’s throw from a ruined castle. What is surprising in this natural setting is the rock formation that stands out like large, straight stair steps. This is due to the volcanic nature of the soil and gives the waterfall a rather original effect.
The Rouget waterfall, Haute-Savoie
The Rouget waterfall, Haute-Savoie. By Laurent GLASSON : https://www.flickr.com/photos/112993821@N02/
This is undoubtedly one of the French waterfalls with the highest flow rate and the highest drop. This is mainly due to its geographical location in an Alpine valley, which receives a huge amount of water from the glaciers. In summer, the ‘Queen of the Alps’ reaches its peak, and visitors who observe it from the viewpoint are amazed.
St-Benoit Waterfall, Savoie
St-Benoit Waterfall, Savoie. By Florian Pépellin — Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascade_du_Saint-Beno%C3%AEt_(Avrieux).JPG
This waterfall is very narrow and plunges almost 100 metres into the hollow of an impressive cliff. The Saint Benoit waterfall is ideal for a family day out and a picnic at the foot of the waterfall. In summer, you can even paddle in the riverbed below.
The waterfalls of the Gorges du Loup, Alpes-Maritimes
The waterfalls of the Gorges du Loup, Alpes-Maritimes. By kaboem : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaboem/
The Loup is a wild river in the south of France, featuring gorges and several stunning waterfalls. These include the Grande Marmite and the Demoiselles waterfalls, but the highlight of this magnificent site is called Les Pétrifiantes. This name comes from the high mineral content of the water, which literally petrifies the vegetation in the path of the waterfalls. It is a natural curiosity that is very popular with visitors.
Les Tufs waterfalls, Jura
The Tufa Waterfall. By JGS25 — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Les_Planches-pr%C3%A8s-Arbois,_la_cascade_des_tufs.jpg
It is difficult to follow the Cuisance, as it likes to hide underground and emerge through multiple holes dug into the rock. Here, it is tufa, a very special sediment that is highly porous and easily pierced by small tunnels. The water therefore spreads delicately over a large mineral area covered with green vegetation. It then slides into small pools before continuing on its way to the sea.
The Gavarnie Waterfall, Hautes-Pyrénées
The Gavarnie Waterfall. Par Gilles Péris y Saborit : https://www.flickr.com/photos/42250269@N06/
Unlike other mysterious waterfalls hidden in the forest, this one is a real open-air spectacle. This long waterfall takes its momentum from the Cirque de Gavarnie and travels more than 400 metres before hitting the ground. To get there, you’ll need to walk about ten kilometres on a relatively easy trail. It’s a perfect family outing for a sunny Sunday afternoon.
La Terrisse Waterfall, Cantal
Terrisse Waterfall, Cantal. Par StephanieBLyon — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cascade_terisse_2015_01.jpg
Let’s finish this non-exhaustive list of the most beautiful waterfalls in France with La Terrisse. It may not be as spectacular as the previous ones, but it is well worth a visit. Located in central France, the Terrisse waterfall can be reached after a twenty-minute walk and offers a beautiful organ-shaped drop. To prolong the pleasure, continue on to the lake of the same name and enjoy a snack by the water’s edge to round off your outing.
