Chutes Voltaire, 55-meter waterfall near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
Chutes Voltaire is a roughly 55-meter-high waterfall in French Guiana where water splits into two separate streams as it cascades over granite rock faces. The flow divides naturally due to stone formations in its path, creating a double descent.
The site remained largely unknown until 1990 when a vehicle trail was built to reach it, opening access for both visitors and researchers to this remote location. This development connected the waterfall area to nearby Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.
The falls sit within a protected forest zone where visitors encounter the natural variety of French Guiana's rainforest in its original state. Walking through this area offers a direct sense of the region's wild character and living ecosystem.
A four-wheel drive vehicle is needed from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, following the road toward Saint-Jean-du-Maroni before turning onto the foot trail. The journey is demanding, so proper footwear and preparation for jungle conditions are essential.
The right-side water stream drops with a more pronounced vertical angle, creating a steeper fall than the gentler left branch. This difference results from the varying shapes of granite formations that divide the flow at the top.
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