The Tufs waterfall (39), a change of scenery guaranteed
Crossing the Jura karst massif, the underground river of the Dard becomes loaded with limestone. When it reaches the surface, the stream falls from a drop of about twenty meters, forming the most beautiful fan-shaped waterfall in France. This is thanks to the tuffs, these calcareous deposits covered with mosses which lay the water in width and create a magnificent refreshing liquid veil. In this site with lush vegetation, it feels like Reunion.
Stay: Presbytery Saint-Jean, in Baume-les-Messieurs: 1 gîte or 2 guest rooms, run by winegrowers. Double room € 58. presbyteresaintjean.com
Info : jura-tourism.com
The Aiguilles de Bavella (20), the meeting place for hikers
Emerging from a forest of laricios pines, emblematic of Corsican vegetation, the wall rises, bristling with ocher rocky needles. From the Col de Bavella, at an altitude of 1218 m, several hikes allow you to get closer to the massif, including the legendary GR20. The more family-friendly one leads in 1 hour to the "Trou de la Bombe", an orifice 8 m in diameter carved into the rock by erosion. As a bonus, a superb view of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio.
Stay : at the Bavella pass inn. 22 € / night in a dormitory, or ch. double at 67 € / pers half board.
Info : zonza-saintelucie.com
The Talbert furrow (22), a geological curiosity
You will have the impression of walking on the sea as you advance on this spit of pebbles and sand pointing out to sea, unique in Europe. Classified as a nature reserve, the long furrow is full of halophilic marine plants (which support large amounts of salt) and is home to many shorebirds, terns and plovers. Before a trip, check the timetables, because the high tide covers some passages.
Stay. Laneros campsite. 300 m from the sea, mobile home 100 € on weekends. www.camping-laneros.com
Info : Maison du Sillon, tel .: 02 96 16 54 67, cotesdarmor.com
The gorges of Cians (06), colorful
Welcome to the Colorado of Nice. A 1h30 drive from the coast, these deep gorges – in some places the canyon does not exceed 2 to 3 m wide – are bordered by red rocks, rich in iron oxide. From the footbridges in the different clues (gorges) one can admire the natural sculptures shaped by the torrential Cians river.
Stay : Le Chalet Suisse, in Valberg. Charming hotel and wellness area. Double room 115 €. www.chaletsuisse.fr
Info: cote.azur.fr
Le puy Pariou (63), walk on a volcano
It is a Strombolian-type volcano, admired for the almost perfect round shape of its crater. At the top, at an altitude of 1200 m, the panorama is magnificent over the chain of puys, dominated by the nearby Puy de Dôme. Departing from the Goules car park, the 2h30 round trip takes you to the bottom of the volcano, whose last activity dates back 8,000 years.
Stay : From Here and Elsewhere, in Durtol: 5 bedrooms. themed hosts (including a tree house), from € 80. pinonature.free.fr
Info : auvergne-destination-volcans.com
The caves of Bétharram (65), expedition to the center of the earth
Let's go for an hour and a half of exploration in the bowels of the earth. On foot, one walks through immense rooms decorated with limestone concretions. These chandeliers, draperies and stone columns are geological works of art shaped over millions of years. 80 m further down, at the bottom of the chasm, we glide by boat on the underground river, before returning to the surface in a small train which weaves its way through narrow galleries.
Stay : Maison Lagrave, in Sévignacq-Meyracq, ch. and table d'hôtes in a Béarn farm with swimming pool. Double room from 72 € in B&B. gites64.com
Info : tourisme64.com
Read also :
⋙ South Corsica: places to visit in autumn
⋙ 6 exceptional mountains to discover in summer in France and Italy
⋙ Zoom on the highest peaks in France: Pic du Midi, Aiguille Verte …