Cascade de l'Arpenaz, Natural geoheritage waterfall in Sallanches, France
The Cascade de l'Arpenaz is a waterfall in Sallanches that drops in several stages across roughly 365 meters, with the main fall reaching 270 meters high and approximately 15 meters wide. The waterfall sits around 893 meters elevation and plunges through an impressive limestone gorge.
A mountain path to the waterfall gorge was built in 1911, creating the first official route to this natural site. This trail allowed the public to regularly visit and observe the falls.
The name Arpenaz comes from Celtic language roots referring to flowing water and rocky terrain in mountain regions. This connection between language and landscape becomes clear when standing before the cascading waters.
Informational panels near the waterfall explain the geological formations and ecological systems of the area. Marked trails guide visitors to several viewing points offering different perspectives of the natural display.
The waterfall flows through alternating layers of Jurassic limestone and marl intervals, creating a distinctive pattern in the rock face. These alternating stone layers tell the story of marine deposits that occurred here millions of years ago.
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