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Cascade du Py
At the head of the protected Champagny-le-Haut valley, the Py waterfall drops 80 metres at Le Laisonnay — the valley's most spectacular fall, with a footbridge at its foot and, rarely for the Alps, access stated as wheelchair-possible unassisted.
At a glance
Type
Waterfall
Access
Free
Parking
Le Laisonnay d'en bas
Town
Champagny-en-Vanoise
Wheelchair access
Accessible Source: Office de tourisme de La Plagne
What is Cascade du Py
The Cascade du Py falls 80 metres at Le Laisonnay (1,250 m), at the head of the Champagny-le-Haut valley — a natural site protected since 1992 and a gateway to the Vanoise national park. The tourist office presents it as 'the most spectacular in the valley', and a footbridge crosses the river at its foot.
Two statements from the official sheet deserve quoting as they stand: 'free access', and 'accessible by wheelchair unassisted' — a rarity for an alpine waterfall. The sheet publishes no walking time from the lower Laisonnay car park, however; we do not invent one. Higher up, the trail alongside the fall climbs towards the Plaisance refuge and enters the park's regulated zone, where dogs are forbidden.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Height
80 m (official sheet)
Site
Le Laisonnay, 1,250 m, Champagny-le-Haut valley (protected site, 1992)
Access
Free · lower Laisonnay car park
Reduced mobility
'Accessible by wheelchair unassisted' (official sheet)
Contact
La Plagne tourist office · +33 4 79 55 06 55
When to visit
When to visit
The Champagny-le-Haut valley is mainly a warm-season visit; the valley road is a small mountain road. The official sheet announces no season or opening hours — the site is freely accessible.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the waterfall wheelchair-accessible?
The tourist office's official sheet states 'accessible by wheelchair unassisted' — a rare statement for a waterfall. The site is at Le Laisonnay, at the head of the Champagny-le-Haut valley.
How long is the walk?
The official sheet publishes no duration from the lower Laisonnay car park — we do not invent one. The Plaisance refuge trail, which passes the fall, is given as about 2 h and +600 m to the refuge.
Can you bring a dog?
The waterfall's sheet does not say. Note however: higher in the valley, in the Vanoise national park's core, dogs are forbidden, even on a leash.
What is the Champagny-le-Haut valley?
A valley classified as a natural site since 1992, a gateway to the Vanoise national park, with alpine hamlets and refuges. The Py waterfall is its most spectacular natural monument.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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