Fontaine Ardente du Gua

Saint-Barthélemy-du-Gua

A small flame dancing on the bare rock, tangible remnant of a fire that legend says can never be put out.

Tucked away at the place called La Bayanne, in the Gresse valley at the foot of the Vercors, the Fontaine Ardente ("burning fountain") is a natural flame fed by a pocket of gas escaping from the limestone rock and igniting on contact with the air. Already mentioned as one of the wonders of creation by Saint Augustine (354–430) and then by Gregory of Tours (538–594), it has fascinated travellers and scholars down the centuries, among them the mineralogist Jean-Étienne Guettard. The flame went out in 1699 following prospecting for hydrocarbons, before reappearing of its own accord. Counted today among the Seven Wonders of the Dauphiné, it has recently had its access path restored.

Getting there : Reached by a waymarked path from the D8 departmental road, at the place called La Bayanne, between Saint-Barthélemy-du-Gua and Miribel-Lanchâtre; counted among the Seven Wonders of the Dauphiné; information panel on site since the path was restored.

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

Ambient sound