You know those wallpapers we get by default on our computers, featuring the most beautiful places on Earth? Monument Valley, the Caribbean or the Taj Mahal… it’s nice, but a little insincere. So this time, why settle for seeing this marvel through pixels and not go and see it for yourself, the old-fashioned way? In autumn, the place exudes a magnetism that’s hard to match. The explosion of color, the gush of water, the hypnotic setting… You could stay there for hours, contemplating the spectacle. So head for the Cirque de Saint-Même in the Parc de la Chartreuse!
Le Cirque de Saint-Même, a place just outside Lyon to add to your “to-do list”!
Rest assured, there are no big tops or clowns in this circus. The only puppets who might make an appearance are the visitors, their mouths agape and eyes wide at the splendor of the site. Like those at Malleval or Dortan, the waterfalls at Cirque de Saint-Même have a unique power of attraction and fascination. Not one, but four waterfalls await hikers. Limestone cliffs more than 500 metres high tower over the site, giving an even greater sense of its beauty… Just imagine the circus!
Now we’ve convinced you. But how do you get there? Weather permitting (if in doubt, call the Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont Tourist Office directly on 04 79 65 81 90), take the road from Chambéry to Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont (which straddles the departments of Isère and Savoie). Be sure to stop off here for its charm and typical shops, including the Arpin cheese dairy, open since 1936.
A show for everyone
When you arrive at the parking lot (pay parking from April to September), you can choose between several itineraries. The walk around the bottom of the Cirque takes 30 minutes, watch in hand. The “sentier des cascades ” (red signposted trail with steep gradients) takes you through the Cirque in 1h30. For the more adventurous, you can set off directly from Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont (approx. 4h round trip). Whatever the case, whether you’re a short hiker or a long-distance walker, you’ll find something to suit you. Let’s not forget that the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park offers no less than 1,500 km of signposted trails, equivalent to the distance between Lyon and Athens as the crow flies.
Speaking of birds and animals, you’re bound to see some on your trip to the Cirque de Saint-Même. So don’t forget to take in the sights while respecting the flora and fauna. So, to get back to our wallpaper story, take a picture of yourself in front of the waterfalls, at home drag the photo onto your desktop, right-click on the mouse and choose “set image as wallpaper”, there you go!