The Cascade Baume-les-Messieurs, also known as Cascade des Tufs, is a waterfall in Jura, France.

You can drive straight to the waterfall, or hike from the medieval village Baume-les-Messieurs.

Let’s see how to get to it!

 

Where is the Cascade de Baume-les-Messieurs

The cascade de Baume-les-Messieurs is located in the center of the Jura department, 20mn east of the department capital Lons-le-Saunier.

Location: Google Maps

 

 

The waterfall is located right below the village of Baume-les-Messieurs. It’s about 20mn south of the medieval village Château-Chalon, and 1h east from the 4 lakes of Jura.

 

How to Get to the Cascade des Tufs, Baume les Messieurs

Ready to visit? Here are the 2 main ways to reach the Cascade des Tufs in Baume les Messieurs.

 

Driving to the Waterfall

You can drive all the way to the waterfall. Yep. This one doesn’t require any crazy hike to get to, it’s right there on the side of the road.

First drive to Baume-les-Messieurs, then drive through the village and follow the rue des Moulins. It will lead you all the way to the waterfall, where the road ends.

There are plenty of free parking spots near the waterfall, and you shouldn’t have any issue to park. You’ll first get to the Parking des Grottes, then Parking de la Cascade and finally the Parking des Roches.

 

Hiking to the Cascade des Tufs à Baume les Messieurs

Another popular way of getting to the waterfall is hiking from the village. Below are the details of the hike:

 

Randonnée Cascade des Tufs Baume les Messieurs

Moderate

:info:

:time: 3h    :distance: 9.46km / 5.8 miles
:uphill: 272m / 892ft    :downhill: 272m / 892ft
map randonnee cascade baume les messieurs hike
Download GPX

 

Hike distance: the distance of the hike is 9.46km / 5.8 miles

Hike duration: the hike takes 3h to complete if you have a sure foot, plan 3h30 otherwise

Hike difficulty: a relatively easy hike, with 2 short but difficult parts. A first steep climb on stone stairs, and a second descent on stone stairs, very steep and only a railing between you and the drop. Be careful on that part especially when the ground is wet.

Hike elevation: 544m (1,784 feet) total elevation change, but not spread out on the hike. 90% of the elevation change is in the steep climb & steep descent (the 2 difficult parts). Pretty flat hike other than these 2 parts.

 

What to Expect at the Baume les Messieurs Cascade

Once you get to the waterfall, whether it’s from parking right next to it or hiking from the village, you’ll be able to walk up to the waterfall. 

 

You can explore the area around the base of the waterfall, but you can also climb up above. To the right of the waterfall, there are stairs that will take you above the waterfall.

 

stairs to go above the baume les messieurs waterfall

 

You’ll see the natural pools, formed by the water from the Dard river, just before it falls down on the waterfall. There’s also a small bridge above the pool, and you can follow the trail for a while along the river.

 

 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the waterfall is in spring; this is where there’s the most water, and when the waterfall will look the most impressive.

The worst time to visit is in summer, as there is usually not much water. When I visited in July, there was no water at all and the waterfall was completely dry.

Here’s how it looks like after heavy rain:

 

Visit Jura

Planning your trip to Jura? You’ll find below a few other travel guides & key spots to see in the area.

Cool waterfalls in Jura:

The best hikes around:

 The BIG guides:

 

I hope you enjoy your trip to Jura and to France; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.

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