12 Gorgeous Waterfalls in France to Discover (+ Map)
Looking for the best waterfalls in France? Read on for all the details!
When you think of France, most people think of charming villages, iconic monuments, and delicious bread. Waterfalls? Not so much. Are there even waterfalls in France? Absolutely!
As you’ll see in this article, there are some really gorgeous French waterfalls that should absolutely be on your French bucket list.
France Waterfalls Map
12 Incredible Waterfalls in France
In this article, we’re sharing twelve of the best French waterfalls to visit and why!
1. Cascade Cirque de Navacelles
The southern French region of Occitanie, specifically the department of Gard, is home to one of the most stunning and unusual waterfalls in all of France. The waterfall, known as Cascade Cirque de Navacelles, is situated in the heart of the village of the same name, and is 2 hours west of the famous Pont du Gard.
The Navacelles Cirque is a “grand site” of France recognized by Natura 2000, acknowledging that the surrounding area is one of the most beautiful in the world.
You can explore the three different sections of the medieval hamlet of Navacelles, which is located in the center of the cirque. It is beautifully integrated with the surrounding cliffs and nature.
A short hike brings you to the waterfall in the heart of Navacelles, where the Vis River supplies crystal clear water for the spectacular 8-meter-tall waterfall. You can see a lovely mule bridge erected in 1595 that spans the river a short distance upstream.
Those who enjoy swimming flock there every summer. It’s chilly (about 11 degrees Celsius) so be careful.
2. Cascade d’Angon
Found along the eastern shore of the gorgeous Lake Annecy in the southeast of France, the Cascade d’Angon waterfall is definitely a sight to behold.
Standing at about 60 meters tall, this quickly-flowing river has carved its way through rock and rubble, leaving nothing but a perfectly smooth ripple through the rockways lining its steep walls.
The trailhead starts on the Route des Vignes with just a small, picketed sign to mark its beginning.
Novice hikers and those looking to take in the view offered by the scenic overlook at Belvédère, which takes in the whole eastern side of Lake Annecy and the breathtaking French Alps, can complete this hike in about 1.25 hours.
Experienced hikers can make their way through the steep and rugged trail in just 45 minutes when moving at a steady pace.
Be careful on the initial descent as high roots and slippery rocks are plentiful, making for quite the workout as you traverse your way to the first blossoming field dotted with quintessential French houses.
During the hike, you’ll experience around 300 meters in elevation gain over a course of about 1.3 kilometers to the waterfall, representing the abrupt incline you will encounter right from the start. Perfect for some quick views or even an all-day picnic excursion, the Cascade d’Angon is easily one of the best waterfalls in France.
3. Cascade du Casteu
Cascade Du Casteu is an artificial waterfall in Castle Hill in Nice, France. While it’s human-made, this impressive waterfall is a joy to photograph, when hiking the Castle Hill. The waterfall is fed by the Paillon River, and it’s entirely free to access.
Thanks to Castle Hill’s tall height (93 meters) and location by the sea, it was originally used as a military citadel. Today, nothing of the castle or citadel remains, but is now a beloved park for locals and visitors and offers superb views over the city.
Along the route to the top, tourists can stop to admire the Cascade Du Casteu. The waterfall, which did not exist before the 19th century, was an enhanced addition in 1885 during the Sardinial restoration. The waterfall is also known as Cascade Dijon.
Not only is the waterfall spectacular, but on top of it there is a viewing platform that offers stunning vista points over Nice and Promenade des Anglais with its long stretch of sandy beach.
4. Les Cascades du Hérisson
The waterfalls of Hérisson, commonly known as Les Cascades du Hérisson, are located in the Jura department of France and are some of the most famous waterfalls in France. The area is actually a nature reserve that lends its name to the “Hérisson River.”
No less than seven notable waterfalls are inside the nature reserve, each even more beautiful than the last. The waterfalls are called: Sait de la Forge, Chateau Garnier, Le Gour Bleu, la Grand Saut, l’Eventail, Moulin Jeunet, and Le Saut Girard.
L’eventail and Le Grand Saut are the most impressive falls, being both over 60 meters in height.
You can opt to visit the waterfalls by car if you don’t like hiking but there is a seven-kilometer pathway next to the river which takes you to all the waterfalls in three to four hours.
The best way to reach one of the starting points is to drive to the parking de la Maison de Cascades. Here, you can visit the museum about the waterfalls before you embark on your walk and buy some snacks and refreshments.
Do note that, while the entrance to the waterfalls is free of charge, the parking space costs €10.
5. Sillans-La-Cascade
The waterfall of Sillans-La-Cascade is the hidden treasure of the Var region, in the southeast of France. It is located in the village of the same name, and is a 30-minute ride from the famous Gorges du Verdon and the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
This picturesque waterfall rolls down 42 meters worth of rocks and flows into a lovely turquoise-blue blue.
The waterfall is a quick, 15-minute walk from the parking lot in the forest following the river. The path will lead you to a panoramic view of the waterfall. To preserve the environment, you cannot go down to the foot of the waterfall from there, so just enjoy the views from above.
Sillans-La-Cascade is seriously a dreamy waterfall, and is definitely worth a stop after visiting the famous Gorges du Verdon nearby.
6. Cascade de la Billaude
The Cascade de la Billaude, also known as Saut Claude Roy, is an exceptionally aesthetic waterfall in Jura, a region located in eastern France close to the Switzerland border. The whole area is a natural treasure famous for its beautiful lakes, valleys, and mountains.
In the heart of a wooded site, the Lemme River falls in 2 successive waterfalls through a thin crack in a vast rocky amphitheater. With a total height of 28 meters, the Cascade de la Billaude offers a landscape that seems straight out of fairy tales, especially in winter when it freezes and comes to a complete stop.
You can enjoy this beautiful waterfall from an overlook just off of the parking lot, or you can head down the 0.8 km trail to the base of the falls. This short path is very scenic, as there are viewpoints along the way to admire the waterfall from all angles.
7. Cascade Blanche
Cascade Blanche is a charming waterfall found about 2 hours south of Lyon, just outside the little town of Saint-Eulalie-en-Royans. A 4 km/2.5 mile round trip trail takes you through the forest to the waterfall on the Vernaison River.
It’s a bit of a steep climb down, but worth it! The waterfall is beautiful in how it drops uniformly off one long edge down to the stream below!
You can swim in the stream at the bottom of the falls or just picnic on the grass. The water is cool, but it feels great in the summer! This is a popular trail, so expect to see some other people as you hike to the waterfall.
If you want to keep hiking, there’s another waterfall – the Cascade Verte – that you can visit a little farther down the trail.
8. Cascade de la Beaume
Cascade de la Beaume is a beautiful waterfall in the Haute Loire area of south-central France. It’s about 2 hours southwest of Lyon and 4 hours north of Marseille and Toulouse.
These beautiful falls offer a striking contrast of powerful white water against stark, black rocks as it drops 27 meters/88 feet. This is definitely a French waterfall worth visiting if you are in the area.
Located between the villages of Le Brignon and Agizoux, you’ll find it along road D54. There’s parking just after a charming bridge – search for “Parking du Reynardou” on maps; the trail to the waterfall leaves from the lot.
The path to the falls is short and picturesque – it’s just 15-20 minutes through the woods to the waterfall. The trail is pretty flat most of the hike, but then descends steeply at the end to take you to the base of the picturesque waterfall.
9. Cascade du Rouget
Located near Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval in the French Alps near Switzerland, this waterfall is known as the “Queen of the Alps,” and is almost 90 meters/295 feet tall.
You can see the waterfall from the parking lot, but hiking the 0.3 mile/0.4 km trail will take you closer and give you an even better view of the falls. Alternatively, you can enjoy the waterfall from the nearby restaurant with waterfall views.
This is a great waterfall for families and dog-lovers (dogs on leashes are permitted).
There are a lot of waterfalls in the Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval area, but this one is definitely a can’t-miss!
10. Cascades du Cirque de Saint Meme
The Cascades du Cirque de Saint Meme are a set of gorgeous waterfalls located in the Savoie region of Eastern France, about 2 hours south of both Lyon and Chamonix.
You can view the waterfalls on a loop trail that follows the river and leads you through the forest. There are actually 3 different waterfalls on this loop: the Grand Cascade, the Cascade des Sources, and the Cascade Isolée.
The waterfalls are surrounded by tall cliffs (even higher than what is shown in the above picture) and creates an enchanting environment around the waterfall.
The Grand Cascade is the largest of the three, with a total drop of 100 meters/328 feet! There is also a very lovely, scenic bridge that crosses in front of this waterfall.
The second two waterfalls both have drops of 30 meters/100 feet. The entire loop is 1.7 miles/2.7 km.
This is a popular hike with families, as it’s not too difficult to do, and the payoff is spectacular. There is also a lovely little meadow by the river at the beginning of the trail.
11. Cirque du Fer a Cheval
Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval is actually the name of a hike in the Haute-Savoie region of France. It’s near the town of Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval and not far from Chamonix, and also near the Cascade du Rouget, above.
What’s particularly noteworthy about this hike is that, in addition to the gorgeous mountain views you’ll enjoy, you’ll also pass around 30 different waterfalls on the loop.
While the hike is decently long (6.6 miles/10 km), the stunning landscape really makes it worth the effort. Note that the hike alternates between relatively flat and pretty steep sections, and the descent in particular can be pretty steep (it’s not advised to do this in the rain).
The hike is free, but parking is €6 per car.
This is one of the most epic hikes in France for magnificent views of the mountains and one of the best places to see multiple waterfalls in France!
12. Cascade Saint-Nicolas
Cascade Saint Nicolas is a smaller, gentle waterfall in the Alsace region of France, southwest of Colmar and not far from Strasbourg.
Follow D13B1 from the village of Kruth to the Chapel de Saint Nicolas. The hike itself is a pretty and easy walk. You’ll pass by a little chapel, then hike through a meadow and forest, passing across bridges and streams, to reach the falls.
The path is well-marked and fairly short, taking around 45 minutes to an hour to do the entire loop. However, there are other hikes in the area nearby Colmar that you can do if you want a longer hiking experience.
Final Thoughts on the Best French Waterfalls to Visit
There are truly many spectacular waterfalls to visit in France. Whether you’re looking for an easy or challenging hike, a waterfall in the mountains, forest, or city, or massive falls or a slower babbling cascade, there’s a waterfall on this list for you!
Pin for Later!
