Cascade de la Lance is a 20-metre waterfall on the Lance torrent, a short walk from the fortified town of Colmars-les-Alpes in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. This guide covers trail access, parking, transport, accessibility and practical tips for planning a visit.
Updated September 2026. Since a 2025 municipal order, swimming at the base of the falls is officially prohibited for safety reasons, contradicting several travel blogs that suggest a dip here. Access is also closed every year from 1 November to 15 April, and at any time during rain, storms or snow.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | About 20 metres |
| Location | About 1 km south of Colmars-les-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France |
| Admission | Free |
| Season | Open 15 April to 31 October daily, weather permitting |
| Trail | 3 km round trip, about 100 m of elevation gain, roughly 45 minutes |
| Distance from Nice | About 115 km; roughly 2 hours by car |
Cascade de la Lance opening dates and access rules
The site is open daily from 15 April to 31 October, subject to snow and weather conditions. A municipal order signed by the mayor of Colmars-les-Alpes closes the trail every year from 1 November to 15 April, due to freezing conditions and the risk of falling rocks from the slopes above the path.
Outside these dates, access can still be closed at short notice during rain, thunderstorms, snowfall, or whenever the path is judged slippery. Check conditions with the Colmars-les-Alpes tourist office before setting out, especially outside peak summer months.
The trail to Cascade de la Lance
From the car park at the tourist office, the waymarked path follows the Cascade route to a track heading south-west along the Ravin de la Lance. After about 500 metres, a narrower path continues to follow the torrent for a further 500 metres to the waterfall. The return follows the same route.
The full round trip covers 3 km, with about 100 metres of elevation gain, and takes around 45 minutes at a steady pace, though many visitors linger longer beside the river. The route is rated easy and is marked with yellow, then yellow-and-red, waymarks. The waterfall itself can only be viewed from a wooden footbridge facing it.
How to get to Cascade de la Lance
By car from Nice: take the A8 and M6202 towards the Mercantour, continuing on the D6202 through Puget-Théniers and Entrevaux, then the N202 towards Annot and the D908 to Colmars-les-Alpes. Once in the village, follow signs for “Cascade de la Lance”.
By car from Saint-André-les-Alpes: follow the D955, then the D908 towards Allos, a distance of about 35 km.
By public transport: a free seasonal shuttle service operates in the Val d’Allos, run by Transports Haut-Verdon Voyages. Regional bus and rail connections also serve Colmars via Digne-les-Bains.
Parking at Cascade de la Lance
Two free car parks serve the site. The Parking Vauban, inside the fortified town, and the Parking de la Lance, closer to the trailhead, are both suitable starting points. The tourist office car park is the usual starting point given on official trail descriptions.
Cascade de la Lance accessibility
The path is not accessible by wheelchair. However, a joëlette, a single-wheeled all-terrain chair for visitors with reduced mobility, can be borrowed from the Colmars-les-Alpes tourist office. Reservations are made through the tourist office’s online shop.
How long to spend at Cascade de la Lance
Allow 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for the round trip, depending on your pace and how long you stop at the waterfall itself. Combined with a visit to the fortified town of Colmars, most visitors spend half a day in the area.
What to see at Cascade de la Lance
The waterfall drops around 20 metres over a rock face into a natural pool below, framed by pine forest and, in places, a double cascade effect after heavy rain. The path follows the Lance torrent for its entire length, offering glimpses of the water through Scots pine woodland.
Keep an eye out for the tichodrome échelette, a small mountain bird known locally for its striking red wing markings, sometimes seen on the rock faces along the route.
The walk starts and ends at Colmars-les-Alpes, a fortified town built under the direction of the military engineer Vauban, with two 16th-century forts still standing at either end of its walls. Combining the two makes for a rewarding half-day out.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Don’t plan to swim | Swimming at the base of the falls is officially prohibited for safety reasons. |
| Check the season | The trail is closed every year from 1 November to 15 April. |
| Watch the weather | Access can close at short notice during rain, storms or snow, even in summer. |
| Bring your dog | Dogs are welcome on this trail, on a lead. |
| Book the joëlette in advance | Visitors with reduced mobility should reserve through the tourist office ahead of time. |
Frequently asked questions about Cascade de la Lance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you swim at Cascade de la Lance? | No. Swimming at the base of the falls is officially prohibited for safety reasons. |
| Is Cascade de la Lance open all year? | No. It closes every year from 1 November to 15 April, and during poor weather at other times. |
| How long is the walk to Cascade de la Lance? | About 3 km round trip, roughly 45 minutes at a steady pace. |
| Is Cascade de la Lance wheelchair accessible? | The path itself is not, but a joëlette can be borrowed from the tourist office by reservation. |
| Are dogs allowed at Cascade de la Lance? | Yes, dogs are accepted on the trail. |
Things to do near Cascade de la Lance
Colmars-les-Alpes, the fortified town at the start of the trail, has two 16th-century forts and ramparts designed under Vauban.
Cascade d’Aiglière is a smaller waterfall visible from the road on a scenic drive near Colmars.
Cascade du Chadoulin is another nearby waterfall, popular for a short stop while exploring the area.
Col de la Cayolle, a dramatic mountain pass linking the Ubaye and Var valleys, is a scenic drive from Colmars.
What to visit tomorrow: more of the Haut-Verdon and Mercantour
Lac d’Allos, one of the largest natural high-altitude lakes in Europe, is about 30 minutes’ drive south.
Gorges du Verdon, one of Europe’s largest canyons, is about an hour’s drive south.
Annot, known for its unusual sandstone rock formations, is about 45 minutes’ drive.
Barcelonnette, a historic town in the Ubaye valley, is about an hour’s drive north.
More France travel
Other France travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to Gavarnie Falls.
- Why it’s worth making the trip to Aeroscopia near Toulouse.
- Practical guide to visiting the Palais des Papes in Avignon.
- Practical information about the Cannes to Ile Ste Marguerite ferry.
- Is the Nice to Monaco ferry the best way to get to Monaco?
