Belvedere de la Colonne, Scenic viewpoint in Nantua, France
The Belvédère de la Colonne is a viewpoint in Nantua, France, set on an open esplanade at around 915 meters (3,000 ft) above sea level, with a wide view over the Lac de Nantua and the cliffs below. The spot sits at the top of the Barre des Fècles, a long stone wall that runs along the edge of the mountain and drops sharply toward the water.
The name of this viewpoint comes from a large limestone monolith that once stood at the edge of the cliff and could be seen from far away. In 1973, it was brought down in a controlled demolition because it had become unstable, leaving only a smaller remnant behind.
The Belvédère de la Colonne is a popular spot among local walkers, who use the trail on weekends to get above the town and look out over the lake. Along the way, yellow trail markers guide the route through boxwood and small oaks, giving the walk a familiar, well-used feel.
The trail begins near a parking area at the edge of town and follows a narrow path that climbs through the forest, with some steep sections. Good footwear is recommended, as the ground can be slippery after rain.
The rock from which the original column fell is still slowly moving away from the mountain, just a few millimeters each year, and the gap it left can still be seen on the ground. Along the trail, walkers can also spot dolines, small natural depressions formed in the limestone by centuries of rainwater.
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