On July 13, 2026, the French postal service, La Poste, issued a stamp commemorating the suspended walkway of the Diosaz Gorge in Haute-Savoie, a "marvel of the Alps."
In the shadow of the Mont Blanc peaks, the ancient Diosaz Glacier and its torrent have patiently carved into the rock, shaping a deep gorge where waterfalls punctuate the vertiginous cliffs. Long considered inaccessible, it kept people confined to its summits, exploited for logging, slate quarrying, and modest mining exploration. When Achille Cazin, a physics professor, settled in the region in 1868, he was struck by the splendor of the place. Anxious to alleviate the daily hardships of the inhabitants, burdened by the harsh climate and agricultural losses, and to offer them new sources of income, he conceived a bold project: to make the gorge accessible to the public. After overcoming initial resistance, he founded a local association with the community, and construction began in 1871 under his direction.
Completed in 1875, the suspension bridge became a new "wonder of the Alps," and posthumously in 1877, Cazin was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor. For over 150 years, this path has offered a timeless journey, providing a breathtaking spectacle in the heart of a wild and rarely seen natural landscape. Firmly anchored to the rock, it hugs the vertiginous cliffs and soars above the torrent via daring footbridges, overlooking crystal-clear, emerald-hued waters that plunge in cascades into deep gorges, then spread out in white, foaming sheets, creating a striking contrast with the mosses, dark schist, and vibrant lichens. Today, the preservation of this site remains a major challenge, met year after year by the farming company and its "gorgers", experienced carpenters and rope access technicians, who combine their expertise to ensure the maintenance, safety and sustainability of this exceptional heritage.
