Gorges de la Bourne, Canyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Gorges de la Bourne is a rock chasm that winds through limestone over a long distance, connecting two mountain communities. A winding road runs through the canyon, passing narrow passages, houses built on the cliffside, and towering stone walls.
In the second half of the 1800s, workers blasted and carved a road through the rock to make remote mountain regions more reachable. This project improved connections between settlements and marked a turning point for local communities.
The gorge takes its name from the river that flows through it and shaped the valley over millennia. Today, visitors use the winding road primarily for driving and photography, while hikers explore the surrounding paths.
The road through the gorge is narrow with several dark tunnels, so drivers should go slowly and keep headlights on. The best time to drive is outside peak summer and holiday periods, when traffic is lighter.
A large cave with one of Europe's highest cave openings cuts into the rock wall and is visible from the lower valley. Visitors can admire this natural opening from a distance without having to attempt the steep climb.
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