To immerse yourself in one of the most magical and secluded swimming spots in the South of France, make your way to Cascade de Sillans. Nestled near the commune of Sillans-la-Cascade in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, this enchanting location is easily accessible by car. It’s an ideal day trip or a quick stop from cities like Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, St. Tropez, Nice, or Valensole.
Where can you park at Cascade de Sillans?
To take a dip in the cool waters of the Bresque, one should first drive to the town of Sillans-la-Cascade. There is a paid parking spot here located near the start of the walk. The first 30 minutes of parking are free and then it costs 1 euro per 30 minutes.
From the parking spot you have two options. You can go to the viewing platform to the north of the river, but here you cannot swim because it is too dangerous. To reach the swimming spots along the river you should stay on the south side of the river.
Directions to Cascade de Sillans
Once leaving the carpark, anyone seeking the scenic route can follow the path through the olive trees (right next to the small cemetery). If you would like the slightly faster route you can follow the road to the village. Both these paths join up again about 700m down.
After walking another 100m you will see a path branching off from the main path. From here you can walk down to the river. As you get closer, the sound of the water becomes unmistakable. Different paths will start to branch off in various directions, but there’s no need to worry—they all lead to the river, though some might present a more challenging route. The comforting rush of the water will guide you as you approach.
Think you are there? Keep on walking.
When you first reach the waters, you will feel like you have reached heaven on earth. Deep in the forest a hidden forest oasis emerges where the sun seeps through the tree canopy to magically light up the astounding light blue water amongst the winding tree roots. The calming sounds of the rushing water top off the sensory experience.
Once you reach the water you can pick many different locations to swim and relax in the waters. Amy certainly found many of earlier spots alluring but I convinced her to power on to the perfect spot. If you continue to follow the river you will eventually reach the waterfall pictured below which you can swim in. The google maps location is here for reference. When we were there, we had it to ourselves for much of the time. Furthermore, the water is deep and the trees open up a bit more allowing yourself to warm yourself in the sun on a rock. Amy was glad we did not stop at the earlier spots along the river.
Taking a dip in the cool waters of the Breque is an amazing experience. The water is certainly cool but you will quickly become accustomed to it and you will come out feeling completely refreshed in body and mind.
To get back to the parking lot you can follow many different paths that join up to the road to the village and will take you quickly back up the hill.
Overall, the walk is quite easy. It should take you about half an hour in each direction. The reward at the end is certainly worth it (even Amy would agree)!
For more enchanting waterscapes in the area, check out our list of the ‘10 Best Swimming Spots in Provence,’ where we explore other must-visit locations.
