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Just as in Cappadocia in the Ürgüp region of Turkey, some fine examples of fairy chimneys can be found in Maurienne. The most beautiful of these chimney-rocks – known locally as “demoiselles coiffées” (maidens with headdresses) – is the Moine de Champlan (Monk of Champlan).

Located next to Les Albiez, with a panoramic view over the Arves Needle Peaks, the “Monk of Champlan”, which is 26 metres high, has no reason to be envious of its counterparts in Asia Minor.

These rock formations consist of a cap of hard rock resting on a graceful cone-shaped pinnacle, placed there as if by enchantment. But if you don’t believe in magic, there is a logical explanation.

A/ The fairy chimneys are the result of erosion, due to rain water and runoff, on the porous land consisting of ancient glacial moraines.

B/ The water erosion eventually revealed more resistant blocks of rock. These blocks became the “headdresses” of the future chimneys. They then act as natural umbrellas protecting the column from erosion, while exerting a certain amount of pressure.

C/ Due to the dual effect of the pressure of the “headdress” and the hardening of the calcite, the columns become as solid as rock – or almost.

As a result, the fairy chimneys defy the laws of gravity, even when their headdresses are swept by the wind.

On the path of legends

 

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