Saut Girard, Waterfall in La Chaux-du-Dombief, France
Saut Girard is a waterfall of about 115 feet (35 m) near the hamlet of Ilay in La Chaux-du-Dombief, in the Jura region of France, and the first of seven falls along the river Le Hérisson. The water drops fast over rocks and creates a loud, constant sound that reaches the nearby paths well before the falls come into view.
The site was once also called Saut de la Forge because the force of the water was used to power a small factory that made nails. That use ended long ago, and the place has since become a stop for walkers and day visitors exploring the Hérisson valley.
The name Saut Girard comes from a monk named Girard who, according to local legend, jumped from the top of the falls. This story has been passed down for generations and gives the site a weight that visitors often feel when they stop to look at the water below.
The falls are a short walk from the parking area near the hamlet of Ilay, along a gentle path that most visitors can follow without difficulty. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since some sections of the trail can be uneven, especially after rain.
The river Le Hérisson means hedgehog in French, but the name is thought to come from an older word meaning sacred water, which gives the whole chain of falls a different kind of weight. A lookout point just above Saut Girard offers a view from above, which many visitors miss by staying on the lower path.
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