Photo : snappa2006 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Les cascades du Martinet
The Martinet waterfalls are on the Gardon de Sainte-Croix, in the Vallée Française, in the commune of Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française, in Lozère, about forty kilometres from Alès. This Cévenol river, which later gives the Gardon de Mialet further south, forms here a succession of small falls and natural pools cut into the schist rock.
The water is clear and of good quality, which makes it a popular swimming spot, with its pebbles and natural pools, in a preserved setting. The waters form a thousand reflections between the pebbles and the rock. One important caution: the access path was closed by municipal order in 2022 for safety reasons. You should therefore ask the town hall or the tourist office before going, and follow local swimming rules.
