Combe Laval, Protected landscape near Saint-Jean-en-Royans, France
Combe Laval is a deep gorge carved into the limestone of the Vercors massif, near Saint-Jean-en-Royans in southeastern France. A road cut directly into the cliff face runs along it for roughly 4 miles (about 6 km), climbing up to the Col de la Machine above.
The road through Combe Laval was begun in 1893 and finished in 1898, built to carry timber from the Lente forest down into the valley. Shortly after, a shelter called the Faravellon was built at the Col de la Machine for workers, and it later became an inn for travelers.
The road along Combe Laval is a regular destination for cyclists and climbers from across the region, who come to tackle the vertical rock faces and take in the views over the valley. The Col de la Machine at the top, once a resting point for travelers, still serves as a natural meeting spot for those passing through.
The road is narrow and winding, so larger vehicles or motorhomes may find it difficult to drive through. Those on foot should wear sturdy shoes, as the rocky paths beside the road can be uneven and slippery.
In several places along the road, natural rock ledges were missing, so workers had to drill and blast additional stone to complete the route. This means some sections of the road appear to hang in midair over the void below.
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