Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Although France is perhaps best known for its romantic cities, vineyards and châteaux, its natural wonders, especially its waterfalls, can be just as breathtaking. From the thunderous alpine torrents to lush, forest-fringed cascades, the waterfalls in France are spectacular wonders waiting to be explored. They are not only beautiful but also serve as soothing escapes, exhilarating hikes and connections to the country’s beauty. Whether you seek excitement in the mountains or peace by a turquoise pool, some of them are conveniently located by the roadside, while others require a dedicated hike.
10 Waterfalls In France
This is the list of 10 waterfalls in France, each with practical details and nearby attractions to enrich your journey.
1. Gavarnie Falls (La Grande Cascade de Gavarnie)
Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST / Wikimedia Commons
The Gavarnie Falls is a glacial waterfall, a limestone bowl carved by ancient glaciers. It is fueled by the melting snow and ice from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, running underground then bursting forth at the edge of the cliff. The waterfall is reachable only on foot. The trail is also open to horseback riding in the summer. You can enjoy picnicking, photography and observing alpine flora and fauna. From this vantage point, a waterfall framed by 3,000-metre peaks is one of the most recognisable sights in the Pyrenees.
Location: Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie
Best Time To Visit: May to June
Nearby Attractions: Cirque de Gavarnie, Brèche de Roland, Parc National des Pyrénées
2. Sillans-la-Cascade
Photo: Remi Jouan / Wikimedia Commons
Sillans-la-Cascade, unites the waters of the Bresque River that arise from underground springs and seasonal rains. The water cascades from a limestone cliff into a bright turquoise bowl below, encircled by thick Provençal forest. The only way to reach the waterfall is on foot, so use a well-maintained trail that starts at a parking lot outside the village of Sillans-la-Cascade. The half-kilometre hike (about 800 metres) traverses shaded woods and scenic sites. Swimming in the plunge pool was banned for ecological conservation reasons, but a fenced viewing platform provides an unobstructed 360-degree view of the cascade.
Location: Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September for clear weather and fewer crowds
Nearby Attractions: Gorges du Verdon, Château d’Entrecasteaux, Cotignac village
3. Cascade du Rouget
Photo: frank-miramand / Wikimedia Commons
Cascade du Rouget is one of the most admired waterfalls in France in the Haute-Savoie, often called the “Queen of the Alps” for its charm. It contains two impressive cascades, pouring from the heavenly stream of Nant d’An. A viewpoint down near the base offers dramatic close-up views, while a higher platform provides a view of the entire drop. Late spring brings the most forceful flow as snowmelt fills the falls. You can engage in photography, go on short hikes and picnic in the proximity, the area also serves as a base for mountain hiking trails.
Location: Near Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Haute-Savoie
Best Time To Visit: Late spring and early summer
Nearby Attractions: Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, Giffre Valley, Samoëns village
4. Cascade de la Pisse
Photo: Arnaud04 / Wikimedia Commons
The Cascade de la Pisse plunges from a rocky cliff in Écrins, a region that benefits from glacial streams flowing down from the high Alpine valleys. Accessing the waterfall is a moderately challenging hike from the village of La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, about 1.5 to 2 hours one way. The path winds through beautiful pine forests, over streams and past traditional alpine pastures. You can see various interpretive signs about local ecology and geology. The site is secluded and tranquil, with few large crowds.
Location: Écrins National Park, Hautes-Alpes
Best Time To Visit: June to August
Nearby Attractions: La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, Glacier de la Pilatte, hiking trails of Écrins
5. Cascade d’Ars
Photo: PierreG 09 / Wikimedia Commons
Cascade d’Ars is a multi-tiered waterfall in France in the Pyrenees, plummeting in three breathtaking stages. It is fed by the Ars River, which collects snowmelt from peaks around it and spills into a steep, rocky gorge. The waterfall is accessible by a moderately strenuous hike through the forest that takes approximately 2 hours (one way) from the village of Aulus-les-Bains. The trail starts gently and climbs steadily through wooded slopes, with a few views of the waterfall along the way. You can see mountain flowers, butterflies and sometimes chamois grazing in clearings along the way.
Location: Near Aulus-les-Bains, Ariège, Occitanie
Best Time To Visit: May and June
Nearby Attractions: Thermal baths of Aulus-les-Bains, Mont Valier, Pyrenees Ariégeoises Regional Park
6. Cascade du Hérisson
Photo: Caitriana Nicholson / Wikimedia Commons
The Hérisson Waterfalls are not a single waterfall but a collection of 31 waterfalls along a 3.7-kilometre river trail in the Jura Mountains. The most well-known, L’Éventail and Le Grand Saut, fall 65 and 60 metres, respectively, and are spaced on an ascending trail that traces the Hérisson river upstream. There are multiple entry points for shorter walks, and bridges, stairs and handrails create a safer path. The geological and historical context is given by informational signs, and the trail is well regarded for its educational and biodiversity value. Wildflowers blossom near the trail in the spring.
Location: Jura, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Best Time To Visit: April to June
Nearby Attractions: Lac de Chalain, Pic de l’Aigle, Hérisson Waterfall Trail
7. Cascade de Tendon
Photo: Espirat / Wikimedia Commons
Situated in the Vosges Mountains, Cascade de Tendon features two main drops, Grande Cascade and Petite Cascade, which are both fed by the Scouet stream. It is easily reachable by car, with a small parking area a few minutes’ walk via a forest trail. There is even a built viewing bridge that lets people get close without the risk of getting wet. In the winter, the waterfall partially freezes and creates stunning ice formations that draw photographers. This whole area is relaxed and perfect for a very chill outing.
Location: Vosges Mountains, Grand Est
Best Time To Visit: April to May
Nearby Attractions: Gérardmer Lake, Route des Crêtes, Ballons des Vosges Regional Park
8. Cascade du Queureuilh and Rossignolet
Photo: GerritR / Wikimedia Commons
Situated close to the spa town of Mont-Dore in the Auvergne region, Cascade du Queureuilh and Cascade du Rossignolet are separate but adjacent waterfalls in France on the same wooded walking path. Both the falls cascade over volcanic rock formed by ancient eruptions and are fed by mountain streams from the Monts Dore massif. The trail starts from a small parking area outside Mont-Dore and winds visitors through a quiet wooded path. The Cascade du Rossignolet spills daintily down through a narrow gorge of moss-shrouded rocks and arching trees overhead.
Location: Mont-Dore, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Best Time To Visit: May to September
Nearby Attractions: Puy de Sancy, Thermal Spa of Mont-Dore, Dordogne River Source
9. Cascade du Ray Pic
Photo: Binnette / Wikimedia Commons
The Cascade du Ray Pic is a volcanic waterfall on solidified basalt columns in the Ardèche mountains, near Vals-les-Bains. The cliff was formed by a lava flow that is over 35,000 years old, revealing its unique rock formations. The trail is a great site for geological observation and photography. The site is in a natural reserve, and panels along the path describe the region’s volcanic history. It’s a lesser-known but geologically fascinating destination, perfect for families and geology enthusiasts.
Location: Péreyres, Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Best Time To Visit: April to June
Nearby Attractions: Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d’Ardèche, Thermes de Vals-les-Bains
10. Cascade de Saint-Benoît
Photo: Florian Pépellin / Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Benoît is a tranquil, multi-drop waterfall embedded in the Cévennes National Park. Instead of a single massive drop, it cascades in gentle steps down the smooth rock face to create a long-tiered effect. It is fed by smaller tributaries of the Tarn River, particularly during seasonal rainfall. The region is noted for its peaceful environment and wild herbs, butterflies, and small birds. In summer, the adjacent forest remains cool and verdant. The water creates natural pools and drips over the rocks, and it is a restorative experience for those who want to relax.
Location: Le Pont-de-Montvert, Lozère, Occitanie
Best Time To Visit: May to September
Nearby Attractions: Cévennes National Park, Mont Lozère, Tarn Gorges
The waterfalls in France are as diverse as each offers its combination of natural beauty, accessibility and surrounding attractions. Whether you’re a hardcore hiker, a weekend tourist or a road-weary visitor, including one or more of these waterfalls in your plans guarantees scenic value. So lace up your boots, book your trip with TripXL, ready your camera, and and get lost in the stunning beauty of the French landscape.
Cover Photo: Pierre André Leclercq / Wikimedia Commons
