La salle de bal des Demoiselles Coiffées de Théus, Hoodoo rock formations in Théus, France.
La salle de bal des Demoiselles Coiffées is a hoodoo formation with natural stone columns topped by large balanced rocks, located in the Hautes-Alpes region. The site features several of these distinctive pillar-like structures that have been shaped by erosion over millennia.
These rock formations developed around 18,000 years ago through erosion processes in glacial deposits during the last ice age. Different layers of stone resisted erosion at varying rates, creating the distinctive balanced-rock appearance we see today.
The name comes from a local legend about young women who turned to stone while dancing at a celebration, which is why this place is called the "Ballroom of the Coiffed Ladies." Visitors can still sense this story today through the site's name and conversations with local people.
Access involves a hike of approximately 6.5 kilometers with about 470 meters of elevation gain, starting from a parking area on the D53 road and following yellow trail markers. The terrain is uneven and requires sturdy footwear plus adequate water and supplies.
The rock formations maintain stability through a natural process where water evaporation beneath the top stones creates crystallization in the supporting columns. This mechanism keeps the balanced rocks in place despite their apparent precariousness.
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