Cascade du Ray-Pic

Péreyres

In the heart of the Monts d'Ardèche regional nature park, the Ray-Pic waterfall owes its spectacular form to the volcanic activity of the Ardèche plateau. The waters of the Bourges fall more than 60 metres — including a main drop of 35 m — following an ancient lava flow frozen into basalt columns, forming a staircase of basalt organ pipes among the most impressive in France. This flow, from the Ray-Pic volcano, is one of the longest in France, running nearly 20 km. The site has been listed as a natural site since 1931. Long popular with bathers despite the dangers, the waterfall saw tragedy in 2010: a rockfall killed one person and injured six others, leading to the site's immediate closure. Major safety works — reinforced paths, wooden platforms, scaling of the rock faces — allowed it to reopen on 1 June 2012. Swimming in the pool has remained prohibited since 1990 because of the risk of falling rocks. Now reached by a walking trail, the Ray-Pic remains one of the most spectacular volcanic waterfalls in Europe, a living witness to the eruptive past of the Massif Central.

Getting there : Path starts from the hamlet of Pourchères or from Péreyres (Ardèche), about 45 minutes' walk each way.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound