Reculée Du Cul Des Forges

Reculée du Cul des Forges is one of two reculées surrounding the village of Les Planches-près-Arbois in the Jura department of eastern France. This horseshoe-shaped rocky gorge was carved by limestone erosion, typical of the karst plateau of the Jura mountains. The site has been under legal protection since 1930, and part of the reculée has been designated a directed biological forest reserve.

What is inside the Reculée du Cul des Forges?

At the heart of the gorge lies the Cascade des Tufs, a fan-shaped waterfall formed on the Cuisance river. Water cascades over a tufa (calcareous sinter) massif 8 to 10 meters high and around 15 meters wide, creating a layered rock face covered with moss and lime-loving plant life. Tufa deposits form as calcium carbonate precipitates out of mineral-rich water, meaning the shape of the waterfall gradually shifts over the years.

How do you get to the waterfall?

The Cascade des Tufs is easily reached from the center of Les Planches-près-Arbois — a signposted path leads to it from the parking area, about 600 meters away. The route requires no special preparation and is suitable for most visitors, including families with children.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Above the gorge, on its southern side, stands the Belvédère du Fer à Cheval (Horseshoe Viewpoint), an overlook offering a panoramic view of the entire rocky cirque of the reculée. From here, the horseshoe shape of the gorge and the scale of the erosion that shaped this landscape over thousands of years are best appreciated. Hiking trails leading up to the viewpoint allow visitors to combine the waterfall visit with a short scenic walk.

Reculée du Cul des Forges borders the region's other reculée, Cul du Bray, to the east, and both valleys form part of a wider network of karst gorges around Arbois, an area also known for its wine production.

Why is this place worth visiting?

Reculée du Cul des Forges combines an easily accessible walk with a striking geological feature rarely found in this form elsewhere in Central Europe. The combination of a tufa waterfall, steep limestone walls and a scenic overlook makes it one of the more popular excursion destinations around Arbois, particularly in spring and summer when water levels in the Cuisance are higher.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the Reculée du Cul des Forges free? Yes, access to the waterfall and hiking paths is free — the walk starts from a public parking area near the village.

How long does a visit take? The walk to the Cascade des Tufs and back takes about 30–40 minutes. Adding the climb to the Fer à Cheval viewpoint extends the outing to around 1.5–2 hours.

Is the trail suitable for children? The path to the waterfall is short and mostly flat, making it suitable for families with children. The climb to the viewpoint is steeper and requires better fitness.

What is tufa (calcareous sinter)? It is a sedimentary rock formed when calcium carbonate precipitates out of spring or river water, often occurring where water is highly aerated, such as at waterfalls.