Landmark · outside the Verdon, 9 km from Aups
The Sillans Waterfall
It is one of the highest waterfalls in the Var, less than twenty minutes from Aups — but it is not in the Verdon. The Bresque plunges about 44 metres into a turquoise pool, in a site classified as a sensitive natural area by the Var Département, in the middle of a two-stage safety works programme. Here is what is verified and up to date about the height, access and swimming, according to the town hall’s latest publication, re-read on 28 October 2026.
- Where
- Sillans-la-Cascade (Var, 83690), 9 km from Aups — outside the Parc naturel régional du Verdon
- What it is
- A fall of about 44 m on the Bresque (a tributary of the Argens), one of the highest waterfalls in the Var
- Status read on 28 October 2026
- Waterfall site fully closed to the public from 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive, for the resumption of the Var Département’s works: viewpoint (left bank) and right bank (access to the river) off limits, except for authorised persons (municipal order of 22 October 2026, published by the town hall on 24 October). Status for the day: Sillans-la-Cascade town hall, +33 4 94 04 63 04
- Swimming
- Prohibited in the pool at the foot of the falls (municipal order, according to the tourist office)
- From Aups
- ≈ 9 km by road (OpenStreetMap route calculation of 4 October 2026), south-west of Aups
- Parking
- Paid in season, several car parks in the village — a 15 to 25 minute walk depending on the one you choose
Key facts about the commune
- Commune
- Sillans-la-Cascade, a commune in the Var (83)
- Postal code
- 83690
- INSEE code
- 83128
- Population
- About 787 inhabitants (geo.api.gouv.fr, retrieved on 3 October 2026)
- Parc naturel régional du Verdon
- Outside the Park since 2025
- Catchment area
- That of the Argens (the Bresque is a tributary of the Argens)
Today in Sillans-la-Cascade
Today’s alerts (access to forest massifs, swimming, water restrictions, roads): data updated live when the page opens, from risque-prevention-incendie.fr, baignades.sante.gouv.fr and VigiEau, as well as the recorded roadworks schedule. If JavaScript is disabled, please consult these official sources directly.
Weather in Sillans-la-Cascade
Live forecast — data by MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Coordinates 43.565, 6.155.
A 44 m fall, outside the Verdon catchment area
The Sillans waterfall is a fall of about 44 metres formed by the Bresque, which plunges from a ledge of tufa — a porous limestone, laid down little by little by water loaded with lime — into a turquoise pool surrounded by cliffs and forest. The site, owned by the Var Département, is classified as a sensitive natural area (espace naturel sensible, ENS) covering 369 hectares. The village of Sillans-la-Cascade has about 787 inhabitants (2023). Be careful not to confuse its catchment area with that of the Verdon: the Bresque flows into the Argens downstream, not into the Verdon — we explain below why we cover this place all the same.
Works 2025-2027: site closed until 30 April 2027 (read on 28 October 2026)
The site closed completely on 3 November 2025 for works costing about €1.36 million (€1,358,064 including VAT) financed by the Var Département: securing the access routes, protection against bank erosion — 96,000 visitors in July and August 2025 alone — and the creation of a new one-way circuit, from the right bank to the left bank, via a suspended pedestrian footbridge shaped like a three-branch star (13.8 m, 30.3 m and 31.6 m) and a new 18 m² observation platform at the foot of the falls.
The schedule has slipped: the nature of the ground (tufa) and a mandatory ecological window interrupted the works in mid-April 2026, pushing full completion back to 2027. The viewpoint and the left bank had reopened to the public in spring 2026 (the town hall published the reopening of the viewpoint on 11 May 2026), while the right bank, where the footbridge is being built, remained closed. The works resumed in the autumn: on 24 October 2026, the town hall announced the full closure of the waterfall’s natural site, from Thursday 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive (municipal order AM PM 2026-021 of 22 October 2026). Access to the left bank (viewpoint) and to the right bank (river) is prohibited; only authorised persons may enter. The Département aims for a full opening, both banks on a one-way circuit, in the first half of 2027.
- The site is closed. From 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive, access to the viewpoint (left bank) and to the river (right bank) is prohibited to the public: do not cross the construction barriers.
- The pool at the foot of the falls is off limits, for access and for swimming (risk of falling rocks).
- The schedule may still change. Confirm the status for the day with the Office de Tourisme Dracénie Provence Verdon (+33 4 98 10 51 05) or the town hall of Sillans-la-Cascade (+33 4 94 04 63 04) before you set off.
Swimming: prohibited at the foot of the falls
Swimming is prohibited in the main pool, at the foot of the falls: safety barrier, risk of falling rocks, and protection of a fragile site — a rule confirmed by the Office de Tourisme Dracénie Provence Verdon. We have not read any official source that allows swimming elsewhere on the Bresque: ask the town hall before you swim. To swim in the Verdon itself — Lakes Sainte-Croix, Castillon, Esparron, Quinson — see our page where to swim in the Verdon.
Access & parking from the Verdon
The closest starting point is Aups: the waterfall is about 9 km away by road, south-west of the village. In Sillans-la-Cascade, several car parks that are paid in season serve the site (left bank, right bank, church car park): allow 15 to 25 minutes on foot to the viewpoint depending on the one you choose.
This is not a place in the Verdon catchment area. The commune of Sillans-la-Cascade left the Parc naturel régional du Verdon in 2025, and the Bresque that feeds the waterfall flows into the Argens — a catchment area distinct from that of the Verdon. It is nonetheless part of the LiveVerdon area: it is a natural stop less than twenty minutes from Aups, the closest village of the Verdon.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Sillans waterfall?
About 44 metres according to Wikipedia and most regional sources, which makes it one of the highest waterfalls in the Var département. A few tourist guides give 42 m: both figures are in circulation, and we use the one that is most widely corroborated.
Is the Sillans waterfall open today?
No. On 24 October 2026, the town hall announced the full closure of the waterfall’s natural site, from Thursday 22 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 inclusive, for the resumption of the Var Département’s improvement works (municipal order AM PM 2026-021 of 22 October 2026, which repeals the order of 7 May 2026). Access to the left bank (viewpoint) and to the right bank (river) is prohibited; only authorised persons may enter (publication re-read on 28 October 2026). The viewpoint had reopened in spring 2026, after a first full closure from 3 November 2025 for about €1.36 million of works (securing the site, a new footbridge, protection against bank erosion). The Var Département aims to open the site fully, both banks on a one-way circuit, in the first half of 2027. Before you set off, call the Sillans-la-Cascade town hall (+33 4 94 04 63 04) or the tourist office.
Can you swim at the Sillans waterfall?
Not in the main pool at the foot of the falls: swimming is prohibited there (safety barrier, risk of falling rocks, protection of the site), a rule confirmed by the Office de Tourisme Dracénie Provence Verdon. We have not read any official source that allows swimming elsewhere on the Bresque: ask the town hall before you swim.
How do you get to the Sillans waterfall from the Verdon?
The closest starting point is Aups: the waterfall is about 9 km away by road, south-west of the village. In Sillans-la-Cascade, several car parks that are paid in season serve the site (left bank, right bank, church car park): allow 15 to 25 minutes on foot to the viewpoint depending on the one you choose.
Is the Sillans waterfall part of the Verdon?
Neither through the Park nor through the catchment area. The commune of Sillans-la-Cascade left the Parc naturel régional du Verdon in 2025, and the Bresque, which feeds the waterfall, flows into the Argens — a catchment area distinct from that of the Verdon. It is nonetheless part of the LiveVerdon area: it is a natural stop less than twenty minutes from Aups, the closest village of the Verdon.
When is the best time to visit the Sillans waterfall?
The flow is most spectacular after rain, in autumn and spring. Summer remains the peak visiting season, with a flow that is often weaker; the site is closed until 30 April 2027 inclusive for works (see above): check the status for the day before you set off.