Cascade de la Beaume (le Brignon)

Cascade de la BeaumeCascade de la Beaume is a beautiful waterfall near Le Brignon in the river Beaume. Cascade de la Beaume is located near Solignac-sur-Loire, north of Le Brignon (Le Puy en Velay) along road d54 in the region Haute Loire, France. It is situated in the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled natural areas in the country. The waterfall is a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the midst of the beautiful French countryside.

Cascade de la BeaumeFrom the bridge over the rive Beaume (D54) there is a small path heading east following the river downstream. There is a big parking along the road you can’t miss (gps 44.94221, 3.88168). The walk is easy through woodland and after 15 minutes you reach the viewpoint from above. I really loved this view and I was enjoying the view for a long time when I was there the end of April 2023. My photos do not show the actual beauty of this waterfall.

After a while I descended to the bottom of cascade de la Beaume (a few minutes). This is the perfect place for a picnic and people where sitting down on a wooden bench enjoying the landscape and the roaring of Cascade de la Beaume.

Cascade de la Beaume cascades down in almost a singel drop off 27 meter over a basaltic lava formation, surrounded by lush green forests and stunning mountain landscapes. The water flows into a small pool at the bottom, creating a picturesque scene that is perfect for relaxation and contemplation. The waterfall is quite impressive because it is als a wide waterfall with a respectable volume. Certainly one of the better waterfalls to visit in the Haute Loire.

A local legend says that at the time of the Lords, the daughter of Lord and Lady Beaume had lingered in the forest. Crossing the Beaume, she saw in the water the image of the devil. Mad, she wanted to jump into the deep gorges of the Loire. But the devil she thought he saw was nothing but a little goatherd castle that his parents had sent for her. The goatherd took a liking to her and the two children became inseparable.

One night, the father spoke of a cure for madness: plenty of cold water thrown on the heads of madmen could heal. The next day, the little goatherd dragged the girl up the waterfall and to convince her to jump, said: “I see the image of the Blessed Virgin at the bottom. Oh, come and see how beautiful she is! “She leaned over, grabbed the goatherd with her and jumped from the top of the cliff. Mary braked their fall. When the goatherd regained consciousness, the girl was no longer mad. They married and thus a little goatherd became lord of the Beaume. (Wikipedia)

The name “La Beaume” comes from the Occitan word “Bauma,” which means “cave” or “grotto.” This is a reference to the many caves and grottos that can be found in the region, created over millions of years by the action of water on the limestone rock formations.

The creation of Cascade de la Beaume can be traced back to the same geological processes that created the caves and grottos in the region. The Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park is situated in the heart of the Massif Central, one of the largest mountain ranges in France. The region was formed millions of years ago during the Variscan orogeny, a period of intense tectonic activity that created the complex geological structures that we see today.

Over time, the rivers and streams that flowed through the Massif Central began to carve their way through the rock formations, creating deep gorges and canyons. The Loire River, which flows through the region, was no exception. As it flowed through the valley, it gradually carved out a deep gorge, creating a series of waterfalls and cascades, including Cascade de la Beaume.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Cascade de la Beaume (le Brignon)

CountryFrance
RegionHaute Loire
LocationSolignac-sur-Loire, Le Brignon
RiverBeaume
Height27m
Latitude44.942663
Longitude3.890883
Best visitSpring
Rating

Most nearby waterfalls

WaterfallDistance (linear)Rating
Cascade du Ray Pic 45 km
Cascade de la Gueule d'enfer 47 km
Cascade de Baumicou 60 km
Cascade de Runes 67 km
Cascade de Lozerette 68 km