The 12 Best Waterfalls in Jura, France – Complete Guide to Cascades du Jura
The Jura department of France is great for outdoors lovers. Mountains, lakes, and beautiful waterfalls.
So many incredible waterfalls that you could literally plan an entire trip just to explore them all. Sounds cool?
Let’s see the best waterfalls in Jura with photos, location & info!
Where to Stay in Jura
Still in the planning phase of your Jura trip? Finding a good home base to explore the area is the first step to great travels, so let me help you out here.
Best Hotels – My Booking Selection in Jura: this list has the best hotels you’ll find in the area: great value, comfy and widely recommended all around.
Your Jura Waterfall Guide – The 12 Best Jura Waterfalls
There are way more than 12 waterfalls in Jura, but I had to make a selection to give you the best ones.
If you’ve already seen all of these, no sweat; drop me a comment below and I’ll give you a few more 🙂
Ok, here are the 12 waterfalls that made the cut:
- Cascades du Hérisson
- Cascade de la Billaude
- Gorges de la Langouette
- Cascade Baume-les-Messieurs
- Cascade des Tufs
- Cascade des Combes
- Cascade de la Quinquenouille
- Cascade de la Vouivre
- Cascade du Moulin du Saut
- Cascade de la Queue de Cheval
- Les Pertes de l’Ain
- Cascade de Vulvoz
Alright, now let’s see each of these waterfalls in more details! Keep reading below for more info on the waterfalls including photos, location, and how much hiking you should expect to reach each one.
1. Cascades du Hérisson
We’re starting this list strong with the Cascades du Hérisson, probably the most famous waterfalls in Jura. It’s actually not one waterfall, but 7 waterfalls all along the Hérisson river.
There are several ways to see the waterfalls. You can go on a short walk from the parking lot to see the 2 waterfalls at the bottom (the biggest ones), or start from the top to hike to all 7, which takes around 3h30.
Location: Cascades du Hérisson
Full Guide: Complete Guide to the 7 Waterfalls (+ detailed hiking guide)
2. Cascade de la Billaude
The second waterfall on the list is the Cascade de la Billaude, also known as Saut Claude Roy. It’s located in the 4 lakes area, not far from the Cascades du Hérisson.
Just like the previous one, there are multiple ways to see the waterfall. You can either see it from the top, with a 2 minutes walk from the parking lot.
Or you can hike all the way down, using wooden & metal steps, which takes around 45 minutes round trip. This will get you to the bottom of the waterfall, where you can go swim in the water.
Location: Cascade de la Billaude
Full Guide: Cascade de la Billaude Waterfall (complete guide)
3. Gorges de la Langouette
The Gorges de la Langouette is not a single waterfall, but several waterfalls along the Saine river.
The circuit is a gentle 20mn walk along the gorge, that will take you from forest trail to wooden steps and metal viewing platforms.
You’ll discover different waterfalls, and finish with a bang at the double waterfall next to an old sawmill.
Location: Gorges de la Langouette
Full Guide: Your Guide to the Gorges de la Langouette
4. Cascade Baume-les-Messieurs
Usually referred to as the most beautiful waterfall in Jura, the Cascade Baume-les-Messieurs is sure to blow your mind.
This unusual waterfall is known as Cascade des Tufs; the name comes from the composition of the waterfall, with water flowing over moss-covered tuff rocks.
The waterfall is extremely impressive in spring and after heavy rain, but regularly dries out in the heat of summer.
Location: Cascade Baume les Messieurs
Full Guide: How to Visit the Cascade des Tufs in Baume les Messieurs
5. Cascade des Tufs
The Cascade des Tufs has the same name as the Cascade des Tufs in Baume-les-Messieurs; tourists very often get confused between the two, and end up visiting only one.
But I assure you, it’s a different one.
This waterfall is made of tuffs and moss, and it’s very similar to the previous one. The main difference comes from the location, as it’s flowing in the middle of a river and there’s a big body of water below the waterfall.
You can also explore the area around the river, and you’ll find some cool natural pools.
Location: Cascade des Tufs, Les Planches-près-Arbois
Full Guide: Guide to the Beautiful Cascade des Tufs
6. Cascade de la Queue de Cheval
La Cascade de la Queue de Cheval, literally Horse Tail Waterfall, is a waterfall in the south east of Jura, near the border with Switzerland.
It’s a 60m high waterfall (197 feet), with 2 successive drops. It takes around 30mn to reach the waterfall on a trail, and it’s easy enough to go with kids. It’s one of the least visited waterfalls in the area, and you should be able to escape the crowds there.
Location: Cascade de la Queue de Cheval
Full Guide: La Queue de Cheval in Saint-Claude
7. Cascade des Combes
The Cascade des Combes is only a 15mn drive away from the previous waterfall (Cascade de la Queue de Cheval), so you can easily visit both in half a day.
In the area you have the waterfall, but also a circuit along the Gorges de l’Abîme where you walk above the gorges, and the Trou de l’Abîme, a huge deep natural well.
Location: Cascade des Combes
Full Guide: Full Guide to Waterfall & Gorges Circuit
8. Cascade de la Quinquenouille
Switching to the other side of Jura for this one; the Cascade de la Quinquenouille is located in the west of Jura. You can drive to Dramelay, and park minutes away from the waterfall.
This waterfall is named after the stalagmite at the bottom which, according to the elders, looked like 5 frogs. When there’s heavy flow at the fall, you won’t see the stalagmite, but it makes for an impressive view.
You can walk around the area on a dedicated trail, that will take you to ruins of an old castle and a nice medieval stone bridge, covered in moss.
Location: Cascade de la Quinquenouille
Full Guide: Hiking map to the waterfall
9. Cascade de la Vouivre
The Cascade de la Vouivre is in south west Jura, near Saint-Claude. It’s next to 2 other waterfalls on this list, the Cascade des Combes and the Horse Tail waterfall.
Not much hiking is needed to reach the waterfall, and you can drive pretty close to it. Drive to the Chemin de Dièles, and park your car at the intersection. There are signs pointing towards the waterfall, and you can follow the yellow marks; you’ll get to the waterfall in around 15mn.
If you’re staying in Saint-Claude, you can also hike from the village to the waterfall; it’s a 1h30 gentle hike with no incline.
Location: Cascade de la Vouivre
10. Cascade du Moulin du Saut
The Cascade du Moulin du Saut is a beautiful waterfall with a single 15m drop (49 feet). You can drive right up to the waterfall, and leave your car in a free parking lot. You’ll only need 5mn to reach the viewpoint.
The best place to see the waterfall is down at the bottom. However there’s no trail going down, so you’ll need to find your own way (be careful).
There are 2 other smaller waterfalls downstream, named the Cascade du Moulinet and the Saut du Moulinet. There’s also a must-see location right nearby, the Source de l’Ain.
Location: Cascade du Moulin du Saut
Full Guide: Hike around the Source de l’Ain (in French but good for photos & detailed map of the hike)
11. Les Pertes de l’Ain
Les Pertes de l’Ain is a double treat. First, you have the waterfall at the bottom, with several different water streams jumping all the way down to the big natural pool.
And then, you have the gorges. The Ain river has made its way through the rocks over the centuries, and it’s now a beautiful gorge. Steps & viewing platforms have been built all along the gorge, making it easy to walk along the gorge to discover the area.
Location: Les Pertes de l’Ain
More photos: Photos of the Waterfall & Gorges
12. Cascade de Vulvoz
And finally, the last on our list of best waterfalls in Jura: the Cascade de Vulvoz.
It’s absolutely epic, but it can be a bit tricky to reach. Head to this parking lot, and get ready for a steep descent. It starts with a 5mn walk, and then a very steep 5mn trail down to the waterfall.
You’ll be rewarded when you reach the falls with a great view, usually no crowds, and a big pool to swim.
Location: Cascade de Vulvoz
Visit Jura
Planning your trip to Jura? You’ll find below a few other travel guides & key spots to see in the area.
Cool waterfalls in Jura:
- Cascade de Baume les Messieurs
- Cascade des Tufs
- Cascades du Hérisson
- Cascade de la Billaude
- Gorges de la Langouette
The best hikes around:
The BIG guides:
I hope you enjoy your trip to Jura and to France; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.
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