Top 13 Natural Monuments around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont
Natural monuments around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont are characterized by a diverse landscape of limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and significant natural features. The region offers opportunities to explore geological formations, river sources, and panoramic viewpoints. It is situated in an area known for its natural heritage, providing varied terrain for outdoor activities. The landscape includes forests, gorges, and rock formations, making it a destination for those interested in natural exploration.
Best natural monuments around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont
- The most popular natural monuments is Celerons viewpoint, a viewpoint accessible via a narrow path. The view over the Combe des Vaux des Roches gorge and its foothills is notable.
- Another must-see spot is Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, a natural monument featuring cliffs with a height of about 100 meters. From the top of these cliffs, a panoramic view of the Baulme la Roche valley is available.
- Visitors also love Source of the Seine, a river source where a clearing with a grotto and a sculpture has been created. This site is special as it marks the beginning of one of France's most famous rivers.
- Saint-Martin-Du-Mont is known for viewpoints, river sources, and unique rock formations. The area offers a variety of natural monuments to see and explore, including cliffs, caves, and forested areas.
- The natural monuments around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont are appreciated by the komoot community, with 45 upvotes and 17 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks
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La Roche Virante
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At the bottom of the valley, a rocky peak keeps an enormous block of rock nicknamed the "Roche Branlante" or "Roche Virante" in balance. A legend has it that each year, on December 31, at the stroke of midnight, this enormous block rotates a full turn on itself. Others call it the Mammoth or the Mammoths. Why ? If you look at the bottom site with a little hindsight, the rocky towers then evoke the long parallel proboscis falling to the ground of several mammoths facing you!
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Source of the Seine
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The spacious clearing by the grotto is suitable for playing Frisbee or having a picnic. Wooden tables are also available.
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Gouffre du creux Percé
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Celerons viewpoint
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Tips from the Community
A bucolic, clean, well-maintained, and shaded spot, with tables and trash cans for picnicking. It's officially a Paris commune, but it looks nothing like Paris.
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The Creux Percé is an inverted cone-shaped collapsed chasm approximately 60 m deep and with a circumference ranging from 35 to 25 m at the surface. This chasm is primarily known to speleologists. Exploration of this chasm and its lateral networks began in the 19th century. This site has long been a natural icehouse with a bottom that reaches sub-zero temperatures, even in summer. https://www.bourgogne-tourisme.com/ In May 2025, a special outing, supervised by the Dijon Speleo Club, will allow visitors to descend into this crater.
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There's a signposted and very beautiful circular trail that includes the source of the Seine. Learn more on the official website here: https://www.cotedor-randonnee.com/
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The Celerons viewpoint is accessible via a narrow path that branches off from the hiking trail. Caution! The path runs right along the edge of the cliffs. However, the view over the Combe des Vaux des Roches gorge and its foothills is fantastic and worth the short detour.
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Wikipedia reports: "The source of the Seine is located on the plateau of Langres, 25 km north-west of Dijon in the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 470 m above sea level. A special feature is that the sources of the Seine were the property of the city of Paris from 1864 onwards. An artificial grotto was built a year later to protect the main source and a statue of a nymph was erected to symbolize the river. Paris has since returned the property to the region. Near the source are the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple in which a Dea Sequana (Latin goddess of the Seine) was worshipped. The archaeological finds from this are now in the archaeological department of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon."
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The Seine is a river 777 km long and flows into the English Channel.
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At the top of the valley, this huge rock is a top climbing spot. The view is also impressive.
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From the top of these cliffs, the panoramic view is magnificent. The cliffs have a height of about 100 meters and a dizzying drop, so you have to be careful.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features can I expect to see around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont?
The natural monuments around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont are characterized by a diverse landscape. You'll find impressive limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and unique geological formations. Key features include river sources, panoramic viewpoints, and forested areas. Specific examples include the dramatic cliffs at Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, the significant Source of the Seine, and the intriguing Gouffre du creux Percé chasm.
Are there family-friendly natural monuments in the area?
Yes, several natural monuments are suitable for families. The Source of the Seine is particularly family-friendly, featuring a spacious meadow perfect for playing Frisbee or having a picnic, with wooden tables available. The Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks also offers a picnic area and marked paths, making it a great spot for a family outing.
Can I go hiking near these natural monuments?
Absolutely. The region around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont offers numerous opportunities for hiking. You can find trails that lead to viewpoints like Celerons viewpoint, or explore the area around the Gouffre du creux Percé. For more detailed routes, you can explore the running trails around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont, which often pass through these natural areas.
What other outdoor activities are available around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont?
Beyond hiking, the area is well-suited for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy gravel biking on routes like those found in the gravel biking guide for Saint-Martin-Du-Mont, or explore the region by road cycling with routes detailed in the cycling guide for Saint-Martin-Du-Mont. Some sites, like La Roche Virante and the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, are also popular for climbing and paragliding.
Are there any viewpoints offering panoramic views?
Yes, the region is known for its stunning viewpoints. The Celerons viewpoint offers a fantastic view over the Combe des Vaux des Roches gorge. Another must-see is the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, which provides a magnificent panoramic view of the Baulme la Roche valley and the Ouche valley from cliffs about 100 meters high.
What should I know about visiting the Source of the Seine?
The Source of the Seine is a special site marking the beginning of one of France's most famous rivers. A clearing with a grotto and a sculpture has been created around the source. It's a great spot for a leisurely visit, with a spacious meadow suitable for playing or picnicking, and wooden tables available for public use.
What do visitors enjoy the most about the natural monuments in Saint-Martin-Du-Mont?
Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking panoramic views, especially from spots like the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks and Celerons viewpoint. The unique geological formations, such as the cliffs and the Gouffre du creux Percé, also draw significant interest. The peaceful and natural setting, combined with opportunities for hiking and picnicking, contributes to a highly appreciated experience.
Are there any challenging natural monuments for experienced adventurers?
Yes, for those seeking more challenge, La Roche Virante is a notable site. It's a mecca for hiking and climbing, offering an almost mountainous atmosphere and sheltering the cave known as "the cave of wolves." The rocky peak with its enormous, seemingly balanced block of rock provides a unique and challenging environment.
What kind of wildlife might I encounter?
The natural areas around Saint-Martin-Du-Mont are home to various wildlife. At the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, peregrine falcons are known to nest, as well as large crows. The forested areas and valleys provide habitats for other local species, though specific wildlife sightings can vary.
Is there a best time of year to visit the natural monuments?
While the natural monuments can be enjoyed year-round, spring and autumn often offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and exploring. During these seasons, the foliage can be particularly beautiful. If visiting the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, be mindful of peregrine falcon nesting season from March to mid-May to avoid disturbance.
Are there any natural monuments that are less known or 'hidden gems'?
While the main highlights are well-regarded, the Gouffre du creux Percé, a chasm in the middle of the woods, is an impressive site that might be considered a hidden gem. It's primarily known to speleologists but is certainly worth a detour for its unique geological formation and the surrounding forest. The area around La Roche Virante also offers a distinctive rocky site above the village of Lantenay.
Where can I find information about parking near these sites?
For some popular sites like the Panorama of the Baulme‑la‑Roche Rocks, a car park is located one or two kilometers away, with marked paths leading to the viewpoint. For other natural monuments, parking availability may vary, often requiring parking in nearby villages or designated trailheads. It's advisable to check local signage or trail information for specific parking details.
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