Bassin La Paix and Bassin La Mer
Two waterfall pools on the Riviere des Roches in the east, one reached in minutes and one by a rough walk.
Updated 21 October 2026
The Rivière des Roches drops through a series of basalt pools inland from Bras-Panon. Bassin La Paix is the accessible one, a wide pool below a waterfall reached by a stepped path of a few minutes from the road, with a nineteenth-century bridge above it. Bassin La Mer is further upstream, reached by a rougher walk of an hour or so along the riverbed, and is deeper, quieter and enclosed by higher rock.
Highlights
- Bassin La Paix - a wide pool below a fall, reached in a few minutes from the road.
- Bassin La Mer - the upstream pool reached by a rough riverbed walk.
- The old bridge - the nineteenth-century crossing above Bassin La Paix.
- The basalt walls - the rock enclosing the pools.
When to go
May to November is the drier season and the safest for the riverbed walk. Flash flooding after rain is a serious danger. Weekends bring crowds to Bassin La Paix.
What to expect
Flash floods on this river come fast; the walk to Bassin La Mer should never be attempted when rain is forecast in the highlands. Swimming is at visitors' own risk with no supervision. Bassin La Paix is crowded and littered at weekends.
Nearby
Bras-Panon is on the coast, and Saint-Benoit is south.
What to pack for Bassin La Paix and Bassin La Mer
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
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