Conditions of access to the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse chasm
Given the fragility of the large cliff and the risk of falling rock blocks, the Vaucluse department decided to reduce the area accessible to the public in order to guarantee the safety of all. The observation point was moved about 50 meters uphill. The access path remains the same.
The path to the chasm corresponds to the pedestrian path that provides access to the source of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, a place where the waters are resurgent. This flagship tourist site in Vaucluse welcomes 800,000 visitors each year. This pedestrian path is the property of the Department, which manages it as such. The town owns the cliffs overlooking the path and which are inaccessible to walkers.
A phenomenon of falling rocks and boulders already known
Since the 2000s, several interventions to secure the site have been implemented, in particular on the rocky outcrop known as “sugar loaf” and near the large cliff. A temporary closure of the access road was put in place by the Department in December 2017 due to a proven risk. Work to secure the rocky parts located along the path was carried out in spring 2018 by the Department.
In addition, signage has been reinforced to prevent the public from accessing beyond barriers where the risk of falling rocks remains very high. Access restrictions are also put in place by the municipality in the event of unfavorable weather conditions, especially during major rainy episodes.
A new study that clearly highlights the risks and the danger
In November 2023, technical investigations were carried out by a specialized design office in order to carry out accurate surveys by drone. The financing of this study was provided by the Department, the Communauté de Communes Pays des Sorgues Monts de Vaucluse and the City of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. The study and modeling transmitted recently show numerous instabilities at the level of the large cliff overlooking the chasm (between 200 and 220 meters high). These rock instabilities have been identified as having a very high risk of the spread of falling rocks or boulders between the rock outcrop and the public reception area at the level of the chasm.
In addition, factors worsen the situation:
- The temperature variation between freezing and thawing in winter favors the decomposition of the rock and causes falling rocks and blocks,
- The presence of vegetation in the fractures decouples the rock mass,
- Low intensity tremors can destabilize the rocks, as the site is in a moderate seismic zone.
In view of this very worrying situation and the serious risk of falling rocks and boulders from the big cliff, the area accessible to the public should be reduced without delay in order to guarantee the safety of all.
For the safety of all
Henceforth, the traffic of all users will be strictly prohibited on the final part of the path to the chasm, namely approximately 50 meters before the chasm. For this purpose, a barrier and a sign were put up on the path, just before the rock outcrop. The path to this new barrier remains possible in order to make it possible to take full advantage of the resurgence of the Sorgue and its privileged environment.
The Department and the City, concerned about the safety of people visiting the site, ask everyone to strictly respect the safety instructions and access restrictions put in place locally. A discussion will be initiated between the various actors and partners concerned, in particular in the context of the ongoing Operation Grand Site, in order to identify future conditions of access to the site.
The natural setting of the Fontaine de Vaucluse, as a whole, is a jewel of Provence, an extraordinary experience that we invite you to discover and experience. The Sorgue, with its emerald green waters, is the living heart of this village. It offers a permanent show, changing with the seasons. In fine weather, it invites freshness and relaxation, while in winter, it becomes wilder, revealing all the power of nature. The picturesque village of Fontaine de Vaucluse and its numerous shops and typical restaurants invite discovery and wonder.
Let yourself be carried away by its authentic charm and its breathtaking landscapes.
Source: Department of Vaucluse