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Key figures

Origin and history

The waterfalls of the Herisson are a set of 31 waterfalls located in the Jura massif, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, on the territory of Menétrux-en-Joux. This torrent of 21 km, emissary of Lake Bonlieu, crosses a typical remote Jura, digging limestone bars for 3 km with a elevation of 300 meters. Seven major waterfalls, including the Grand Saut (60 m) and the Fan (65 m), punctuate its course before it reaches the Ain near Doucier. The valley, classified Natural Site since 2002 for its picturesque character, also houses two lakes (Val and Chambly) and a House of waterfalls dedicated to its geology.

The remote herd, 600 m wide and 9 km deep, was formed by karst erosion of the limestone plateau. The waterfalls, accessible via viewpoints and trails, bear historical names such as the Girard jump (mentioned since 1170 when the Chartreuse de Bonlieu was founded by Thibert de Montmorot) or the Gour Bleu (formerly Girard-Quintal crowd in 1470). Former mills and forges, such as the mill Jeunet (formerly the mill of the Frasnois in 1434) or the jump of the Forge (formerly the martinet of Jean-Charles in 1760), testify to past human activities. The site, popular for its frozen winter landscapes or after heavy rains, was designed in 2016 for disabled access to the Girard jump.

The Hedgehog, without an official tributary, drains a 49 km2 watershed including the waters of Lake Ilay. Its waterfalls, shaped by the kimeridgian limestone bar (upper Jurassic), attract visitors via the cascade route (RD 326) or the GR 559. The Jura county council set up the Maison des cascades, the starting point to discover the valley and its unique hydrography. The municipalities crossed (Bonlieu, Le Frasnois, Doucier, etc.) share this heritage, while ancient denominations, such as the Jurassian Niagara (1897) for the Grand Saut, reflect its historical tourist attraction.

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