Pertes de la Valserine

Pertes de la Valserine is a limestone slot canyon near Valserhône where a river flows through narrow rock walls before vanishing underground. The water cuts through Urgonian limestone, creating steep canyon walls that reveal the sculpting power of flowing water over millennia.

The site served as an important trade hub in the 1800s with a customs house and historic bridge connecting farmers and merchants across the river. This crossing point facilitated salt commerce and other goods traffic that shaped the region's economy.

The name Valserine derives from ancient salt trade routes, and the canyon today serves as a place where visitors experience how water shapes the land. Locals value this river as a symbol of nature protection and river freedom in the region.

A marked trail starts from Louis Dumont Street near the viaduct and follows the riverbank through the canyon. The walk takes about two hours for a round trip and requires sturdy shoes due to uneven ground and rocky paths.

The river carves circular erosion patterns called 'oulles' in the limestone, formed when flowing water spins pebbles in rotating motions. These ring-shaped hollows look like nature's own sculptures, revealing how water reshapes rock over countless generations.

Location: Valserhône

Elevation above the sea: 355 m

Made from material: Urgonian Limestone Formation

Address: route départementale 1084 Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 01200 Valserhône

GPS coordinates: 46.12330,5.82070

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:43