Cascades du Sautadet
After leaving the incredible Gorges de L’Ardeche on our October tour of France, a special find appears. We’ve no idea what the Cascades du Sautadet are about and little do we know it’s a really special find!
By chance, we come across one of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’ – La Roque Sur Ceze. Just before is a Camping-Car park Aire where we pull in for the night.
This area to the south of the Ardeche has remote villages, vast forests and rolling countryside. We’re not entirely sure what’s here but soon realise it’s a vine-laden location where something extraordinary awaits.
Cobbled streets await
After a cup of tea in the campervan, our instincts get the better of us in search of what this village is all about. Heading out on foot and passing over a stone bridge spanning the River Ceze leads us to the most pretty village of La Roque sur Ceze.
Vines span the surrounding countryside, whilst the village perches just above, bringing delightful views from its prominent position.
Cobbled streets which are more like wide paths lead upwards between the buildings. It’s such a quaint place. Unfortunately the few little eateries are closed except for one right in the centre. This is busy with outdoor eating and vines giving cover along a pagoda where people enjoy an early evening drink.
The atmosphere is pleasant and the village is certainly beautiful.
Wow! The Cascades du Sautadet are incredible
After leaving the village, we notice a sign for the Cascades du Sautadet and decide to follow the path.
We wonder why it’s so popular here. There’s a huge car park and obvious attraction other than the lovely village, but what is it exactly?
On the riverside path we pass people carrying towels and picnic bags and it looks like they’ve spent the day here. A little further on and the Wow factor moment is upon us! Yes, the Cascades du Sautadet are in front of us, a sprawling selection of unusual rock formations as far as the eye can see.
Danger signs and death
There’s an information board giving details on how the rock formations were formed through water flowing in channels. This created a long, winding and wide area of water and rocks culminating in a river beach at the end. It’s like one giant, holey punnit stone.
We walk carefully over the rocks, where vast holes and drops make for some dangerous sections. Apparently 31 people have died here, so the warning signs tell us – what they don’t say is how they died!
Thankfully we make it across the rocks and end up on a pebble beach beside the river, where the last swimmers of the day are drying off. Here we can look back at the vast stone structures where the channels of hollowed out rock become more apparent. Looking at them from below instead of walking on top gives a totally different perspective and it’s fascinating.
It’s been a great little find but now it’s time to make our way back to the campervan before heading off tomorrow in the direction of Uzes.
Next time we visit one of the most remarkable historic sights of France, the Pont du Gard but what will we think? After all, it’s many years since our last trip, so we can’t wait to see it!
In the meantime thanks for reading ‘Cascades du Sautadet’ and don’t forget to subscribe!
