Cascades of Hérisson, Natural waterfalls in Franche-Comté, France
The Hérisson waterfall system extends over 3.7 kilometers through the Jura Mountains, featuring multiple cascades with the highest drop reaching 65 meters.
The formation of these waterfalls dates back to ancient glacial activities that carved the valleys and shaped the geological features of the Jura Mountains.
The name Hérisson originates from the ancient word Yrisson, which translates to sacred water, reflecting the spiritual connection to this natural formation.
The site offers a 7-kilometer loop trail connecting all waterfalls, with several parking areas and access points from Doucier, Bonlieu, and Ilay.
The waterfalls create different displays throughout seasons, from powerful water flows after rain to frozen formations in winter and colorful surroundings in autumn.
Location: Jura
Address: Cascades du Hérisson, 39130 Le Frasnois, France 39130 Le Frasnois
GPS coordinates: 46.61500,5.86611
Latest update: July 3, 2025 06:34
Burgundy-Franche-Comté encompasses a varied heritage that spans several millennia. The region houses prehistoric sites such as the Roche de Solutré, monasteries founded as early as the 6th century like Baume Abbey, as well as medieval fortresses and Renaissance homes. Natural formations include the Osselle Cave, open to the public since 1751, and the Hérisson Waterfall, which features seven cascades over nearly 2.5 miles in the Jura mountains. The area is characterized by diverse terrain, from vineyards and mountain foothills to valleys and limestone plateaus. Visitors can explore the Cormatin Castle with its formal gardens, observe the ongoing construction of Guédelon Castle using 13th-century techniques, or explore the underground galleries of the Osselle Cave. These sites attest to human habitation and geological changes over the centuries.
The Jura department features varied landscapes with mountain ranges, limestone plateaus, and forested valleys. The terrain has shaped notable geological sites: the Hérisson waterfalls stretch over nearly 4 kilometers with 31 waterfalls, the Baume-les-Messieurs Reculée forms a closed valley with 200-meter-high walls, and the Langouette Gorges show a canyon carved by the Saine between vertical cliffs. Historic towns reflect the past of the region: Dole preserves its collegiate church and 16th- and 17th-century houses with arcades, Arbois hosts the Louis Pasteur house and wine cellars, while Salins-les-Bains displays its old salt production facilities listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jura vineyards produce specific wines, including the yellow wine made in Château-Chalon, a village perched on a rocky spur overlooking the vineyards. The Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park offers hiking trails and cross-country skiing routes. The ski resorts of Les Rousses and Métabief welcome winter visitors at over 1100 meters altitude. Glacial lakes such as Chalain allow swimming and water activities during the summer.
Lac de Chalain
8.4 km
Pic de l'Aigle
2.8 km
Chartreuse de Bonlieu
2.8 km
Parc animalier du Hérisson
3.5 km
Gorges de la Lemme
8 km
Cascade de la Frasnée
7.9 km
Espace botanique du Frasnois
1.3 km
Église Saint-Georges de Songeson
5.4 km
Vallée du Drouvenant
7.7 km
Église de la Nativité-de-la-Vierge de Châtelneuf
7.5 km
Église Saint-Cloud de Denezières
4.5 km
Église Saints-Jacques-et-Philippe de Saffloz
6.2 km
Église Saints-Jacques-et-Philippe de Chevrotaine
4.9 km
Château de Chalain
6.9 km
Église Saint-Point de La Chaux-du-Dombief
3.1 km
Église Saint-Nithier de La Frasnée
7.7 km
Église Saint-Maurice de Saint-Maurice-Crillat
5.6 km
Île de la Motte
2.4 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bonlieu
1.8 km
Église Saint-Joseph-et-de-la-Sainte-Vierge de Doucier
7.9 km
Église Saint-Laurent de Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux
8 km
Église Saints-Claude-et-Roch du Frasnois
3.6 km
Chalet du Coin d'Aval
8.3 km
Chapelle Saint-Joseph de Menétrux-en-Joux
3 km
Chapelle Saint-Vincent d'Ilay
1.9 km
Belvédère des Quatre Lacs
3.8 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Jubilé de Salave
7.7 km
Chapelle Saint-Claude de Saugeot
3.3 kmReviews
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A great place to take beautiful hikes around this famous waterfall in the area.
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