It rained most of the night and rain was predicted all day. We had crêpes for breakfast and played games then had a early lunch of quiche before leaving for the waterfall.

Asa with a man-bun drinking tea with honey.

Poker

Quiche with Indian spices and tart à la tomate.

The waterfall is called La Source du Lison. We drove through the mountains to get there (the waterfall is located in the Jura Mountains). Cal was feeling a little car sick when we arrived and Asa had pressure in his ears that he couldn’t clear. Luckily the waterfall was just a short walk and they forgot all about their problems when they saw it.

We were able to climb to look in the cave at the top of the waterfall. It rained while we were in the cave and by the time we were ready to explore further it had stopped raining again.

Asa really liked playing with the clay in the cave.

Then we hiked higher to see another place.

The kids had fun hearing their voices echo here.

The boys hiked down to the water below the lookout deck.

Then we hiked back down and headed to a museum for an old factory for scythes that used the Lison River for power.

The factory: La Taillanderie

The factory was operational for a long time. Long after electricity was invented, they continued to use the power of the river because it was free and their waterwheels were made of wood which was plentiful in the surrounding woods (unlike more sophisticated components).

The tour guide had this Jack Russell which the kids loved. He loved to climb and jumped up on any high surface he could reach. The owner said sometimes he goes on to the roof beams and has to be rescued because he can’t get back down.

The wheel in motion. When the waterwheel turns it operates a large hammer under which they put iron, hot from the forge to flatten and shape it into a scythe. They start with a piece of iron to size of a deck of cards.

This outdoor waterwheel operates the automated bellows for the forges. See video below.

The bellows in motion.

The family we were staying with had some puzzles to return to the library…or so I thought. It was actually a toy library with toys and games to lend out. You can also play with the toys there.

A new (to me) game called Buffalo.

Nova is the queen and Esme was her servant.

PitchCar which was a little buggy because the rails kept wanting to come off but was simple and fun. You have to flick the cars to the finish.

We came home for au gratin potatoes made by our hosts and are ending the evening with Minecraft and board games.