サンクリストフシュルドレゾンの天然記念物・トップ8

The Beaume waterfall is a unique place! This 27 meter high waterfall is the result of erosion: the waters of the Ourzie river cut into the basalt of the plateau and spring from the top of the cliff to then give rise to the Beaume, a tributary of the Loire.

Interesting to see that there is a "mountain of joy" not only in Spanish Galicia, but also here in southeastern France. These two places not only have the name in common, but also the first view of the towers of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela with the tomb of the Holy Apostle James the Elder, or of the cathedral with the black Madonna of Le-Puy. en-Velay. The small pile of stones that have accumulated at this point, however, is reminiscent of the Spanish "Cruz de Ferro" (iron cross) on Monte Irago.

Lac du Bouchet is a magnificent body of water suitable for swimming and walking. Indeed a landscaped path goes around it. On its southern part there is a beach and a relaxation area. You will also find at the level of its northern part a very good restaurant which serves local dishes.

This place is at an altitude of 722 m. From here you can see the cathedral of Le-Puy-en-Velay, the impressively beautiful Saint-Michel chapel on a 90 m high volcanic needle and the large bronze statue "Notre-Dame-de-France". The name of this place "Montjoie" (Mountain of Joy) is based on Monte Gozo near Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims who traveled far and wide, who previously endured not only effort but also danger, must have been immensely happy about the near destination of their pilgrimage.

A small path of about a hundred meters allows you to pass under the basalt flow through what looks like a cave, and to observe the rock up close. The passage requires you to lean, and it is protected from the slope by a small wall. This is not the "official" general public trail but the detour does not seem forbidden (March 2021). The additional info: "beaume" comes from the Latin "balma", which means "cave"

A somewhat inconspicuous stone house can be found here, which houses the mineral water source. It was used until 1914, but was then forgotten until it was restored by a local environmental organization - SOS Loire Vivante. The spring water is very iron-rich and the iron deposits it contains are said to be slightly radioactive - it was previously said to have healing powers. The high carbonate content can be recognized by small, rising bubbles. Source: https://www.rivernet.org/loire/loireamont/bonnefont/lasource.htm

Impressive waterfall with a drop of 27m. Very busy at the weekend, as there is also a parking lot nearby. Trees that are rare for the region, such as maritime pines and the almost extinct land elm, grow in the surrounding forest.

The Lac du Bouchet, a circular crater lake that has been a listed monument since 1950. Since 1863, the lake has belonged to the department of Haute-Loire, which is managed with the help of the National Forest Service. There is a supervised bathing area on the southern shore. There is also a restaurant and boat rentals on site.