Les Pénitents, Natural rock formation in Les Mées, France.
Les Pénitents is a rock formation of conglomerate stone that extends about 2.5 kilometers and rises up to 114 meters above the Durance Valley. The cliff wall consists of closely spaced cone-shaped columns that create a striking natural pattern.
These formations took shape over millions of years as water and weather carved the conglomerate stone into cone shapes. Alpine geological shifts and the steady flow of the Durance River accelerated the sculpting process.
Local people call these formations the Penitents because their cone shapes resemble hooded monks standing shoulder to shoulder along the ridge.
A marked hiking trail of about four kilometers loops around the formations, providing access to viewpoints and geology observation areas. The walk takes roughly three and a half hours and requires sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water.
In 2019 heavy rainfall caused one of the formations to collapse onto three houses in the village below. Since then, protective measures have been put in place to prevent further rockfalls.
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