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All France Saint-Bernard Miracle Arch
AO Edited

Miracle Arch

The second-largest natural arch in the Chartreuse Mountains.

Saint-Bernard, France

Added By
Jean-Rene Bouvier
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The miracle junction forming the natural flying buttress.   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
Two Alpine choughs circle below miracle arch, with the highest peak of the Alps, Mont Blanc, seen through the arch.   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
Miracle arch, seen from the Eye of the Arch.   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
The Eye of the Arch, a smaller arch, seen through the Miracle Arch.   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
Sunrise on Belledonne, seen from the Miracle Arch. Mont Blanc and the Eye of the Miracle Arch is visible on the left   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
Below the arch at dawn.   bouvierjr / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 2005, Pascal Sombardier discovered the largest natural arch in the Alps, Tour Isabelle or Tour Percée, with a span well over 90 feet (30 meters). He revealed the find to the world a year later in a book entitled Chartreuse Insolite, with a cover photo that triggered a passion for arch hunting across the region. In the following years, over 70 arches were added to the list in Chartreuse alone.

The Chartreuse Mountains, a limestone massif in France, is a reasonably small range but boasts some of the most beautiful arches in the Alps. Sombardier discovered the Miracle Arch in 2005 and provided the marvelous formation with its namesake. Since the two tracts of rock rest on each other by a very thin junction, they form a natural flying buttress.

Miracle Arch is the second largest arch in the mountain range, with a span of over 80 feet (25 meters). While located only a few hundred meters from the Tour Isabelle arch, this formation is harder to reach. Visitors must rappel down several cliffs, or ascend a narrow couloir and scale a few jagged rocks to reach this natural wonder. 

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Natural History Nature Rock Formations

Know Before You Go

Visiting the Miracle Arch requires minimal climbing capabilities. In doubt, hire a guide. Visiting the Eye of the Miracle Arch was premiered in 2020 by Michel Rousseau, it requires abseiling down 250 meters, with several pendular rappels. See referenced sites (in sources) for more information.

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Added By

bouvierjr

Published

February 18, 2021

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Sources
  • http://www.archmillennium.net/Arche_Miracle.htm
  • https://photos.app.goo.gl/TrnepRVLkYtDEitA8
  • https://www.pascal-sombardier.com/2019/06/quelques-arches-remarquables.html
  • https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ev9KiZwoVy5pjhwk6
  • https://unjourunearche.blogspot.com/2020/11/arche-miracle.html
  • https://unjourunearche.blogspot.com/2020/11/il-de-larche-miracle.html
Miracle Arch
Saint-Bernard, 38660
France
45.371044, 5.904679

Nearby Places

Tour Isabelle Double Arch

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Saint-Bernard

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Tour Isabelle Double Arch

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miles away

Musée de la Ganterie (Museum of Glove-Making)

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Saint-Bernard

Saint-Bernard

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