Cascade de la Billaude

Cascade de la Billaude is one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the Jura mountains, tucked into the gorge of the Lemme river in the commune of Le Vaudioux. The water drops in two successive stages for a combined height of about 28 metres, in a spot also known locally as Saut Claude-Roy.

Where exactly is it and how do you get there?

The falls sit right on the boundary between the communes of Le Vaudioux, Chaux-des-Crotenay and Syam, just north of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park. By car, access is via road D279, from which marked paths branch off toward several viewpoints set at different heights above the gorge. Visitors who want to reach the foot of the waterfall need to descend a staircase of roughly 200 steps — the whole route, from the clifftop down to the base of the falls, has been fitted out for walkers.

What will you actually see?

The Lemme squeezes through a narrow rock crevice before plunging into a wide, rocky amphitheatre in two stages: a first drop of around 20 metres into an intermediate pool, followed by a second fall of about 8 metres. Thick forest and steep rock ledges enclose the gorge, giving the site the feel of a hidden, almost secret ravine rather than a roadside attraction. Viewpoints at different levels let you take in the cascade both from above and from the base, where the full scale of the drop becomes obvious.

For those wanting more than a quick look, a walking loop of about 5.8 km — which also passes the Grande Cheminée rock formation — takes roughly an hour and a half and offers several different angles on the falls along the way.

Where does the name come from?

The waterfall takes its name from the Billaude family, who lived on the banks of the Lemme in the 18th century near what is now the hamlet of La Billaude. Its alternative name, Saut Claude-Roy, recalls a woodcutter who fell to his death in the ravine after leaning too far over the edge.

When is the best time to visit?

The site can be visited year-round, though its character shifts noticeably with the seasons. In spring, once snowmelt swells the Lemme, the waterfall carries its heaviest flow and is at its most spectacular. By summer the water level drops, but the paths and the staircase are at their easiest and driest to negotiate. In autumn the surrounding forest turns colour, adding contrast to the grey rock of the gorge.

Sturdy footwear is worth packing: the descent down 200 steps and the damp, uneven sections of trail call for care, especially after rain, when the rock can get slippery.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the waterfall? Cascade de la Billaude drops a combined total of about 28 metres, split into two stages — roughly 20 metres, then a further 8 metres.

How many steps does it take to reach the bottom of the falls? Getting down to the base of the waterfall means descending a staircase of around 200 steps.

Where does the name "Billaude" come from? It comes from the Billaude family, who lived along the Lemme river in the 18th century near the present-day hamlet of the same name. The alternative name, Saut Claude-Roy, refers to a woodcutter who died falling into the ravine.

Are there longer hiking routes nearby? Yes — a roughly 5.8 km walking loop that also takes in the Grande Cheminée rock formation is available, typically completed in about an hour and a half.