Cascade du Gour Saillant

The Cascade du Gour Saillant can only be reached on foot, from the church square in Saint-Priest-des-Champs, in the Combrailles: about 3 km of walking in all, waymarked through woodland, 130 to 140 m of ascent, allow 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 20. Park on the square, the start is opposite.

The route in

From the church, cross the D987 and take the small road opposite, marked by a sign pointing to the waterfall. The waymarks are yellow butterflies: follow them all the way. At the fork near a gîte and a cross, bear left. The path goes gently downhill, passes a picnic area, then heads into the forest.

At a bend, a steeper path drops towards the stream. You then follow the stream upstream, crossing it three times on footbridges, and the waterfall appears. On the way back, you cross the footbridges again, then it climbs back up to the village: wear good shoes. Fancy walking further? A 9.5 km circuit (3 hours, 280 m of ascent) also passes by the waterfall.

The waterfall and its gour

On site, the Auzelle drops about ten metres before heading off to join the Chalamont. At the bottom is the “gour” that gives the site its name: a natural basin in the middle of the woods. Let's stop you right there: swimming is not allowed, by municipal order (July 2024), in the Chalamont or on the banks of the waterfall. Look, listen, have a picnic, but stay out of the water and take care on wet rocks.

Our take

It isn't the highest waterfall in Auvergne, and in high summer the flow can get modest. But arriving at the foot of the waterfall, after the footbridges, makes a nice impression, especially with children. A two-hour outing, perfect when you are out and about in the Combrailles, best after a few days of rain, when the Auzelle is in full voice.