This little natural bridge of 1.5 meters span is located in Rieusec Creek (tributary of Ardeche River) in Ardeche county. This creek is well know in this area for these incredible nonstop succession of over hundreth pothole (dry in summer) along the canyon course. visitors can hike down the creek and bypass major dryfall using hand line on place. IGN topographic map n°2939 west "gorge de l'Ardeche" (pleat B3).

Directions : From Ardeche road bridge exit in Salavas, drive west 1.200km across the vilage and turn left into an unsigned road. Drive up 400 meters this road and turn right. Drive up 200 meters to a crossroad and go straight ahead 300 meters to the top of the hill (housing development). Park there. Take at sign "Pont Romain du Rieusec" the trail along the low wall of stone which lead you at less than 15 minutes to the creek.

Also visit in the same area, Pont d'Arc, Ranc de l'Arc and of course the Ardeche Canyon itshelf.

Jabron Natural Bridge

Jabron Natural Bridge is located on the upper Jabron Canyon in Alpes de Haute-Provence county (France). This slot canyon is an easy, short and wonderful narrow contains two natural bridges, 2 abseils and 3 pool of water (wet suit recommended). Highest rappel : 13 meters, running time : 30 minutes.

Directions : From "Castellane", drive road N85 south 10km to the hamlet of "La Batie" via Luens pass. From "La Batie", turn right and drive unmarked road 1.600km (west) to the barricade (Private house). Park there. Proceed on the 4wd road 200 meters to the orchard, turn right and continue 10 minutes to the end of the road. Then, take the trail (left)[right is the return trail from canyon exit] which lead you at less than 5 minutes to the canyon entrance.

Also visit on the same area Verdon Canyon (28km distant), the longest canyon of Europe.

Parres Natural Bridges (2photos)

The brook of "Bief des Parres" is located near the town of "Saint-Claude" in Mount Jura and at the heart of "Haut-Jura Regional Park" in Jura country of France. This is a long canyoneering trip about 4km (6 hours) which require a rope of 70 meters long for the highest waterfall. This trip give access to two natural bridges in an isolated forest area seldom visited. The brook of Parres is usualy dry most of the year. However, visitors will be confronted to many obstacles as cold water potholes and close to 20 dryfalls. The largest of the two bridges are 7.5 meters wide and 3.4 meters high. The second bridge is located just below after a series of natural toboggan ramp. I.G.N topographic map n° 3328 west "Cret de la Neige" pleat A7.

How to reach : From "Septmoncel" drive road D436 2km to "L'Evalide" crossroad. To begins the trip turn left and drive road D25 for 5.6km to Combe-Bry road bridge and park. From there follow the brook 300 meters downstream in the forest to start the trip. For the shuttle, drive down road D 436 from "L'Evalide" crossroad toward "Saint-Claude" for 7.2km and turn left. Drive 0.8km to Flumen bridge (Hotel) and turn left. Then drive the narrow road along Flumen river for 1km to the factory and the road terminus (confluence). Park there. Shuttle is about 10km.

Oules Natural Bridges (4 photos)

Canyon du Pont des Oules is located in Vercors Regional Natural Park in Drome county of France. This is a short but nice sculptured slot canyon which contains 3 attractive natural bridges side by side included a double one. This slot is dry most of the year. Take a 20 meters rope to rappeling four dryfalls inside the canyon. Topographic map I.G.N Top 25 n.3236 west "Villard-de-Lans" pleat I1.

How to get there : From "La Chapelle-en-Vercors" drive south road D518 for 12km to the hamlet of "Rousset". At the exit of the hamlet drive 150 meters south and park at the D518 road bridge. The slot is located below the bridge. Found the entrance of the slot canyon a few meters up stream.