12 Must do’s when in Ardèche, France

The Ardèche is a beautiful department in southeastern France in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. You will find the famous Gorges de l’Ardèche with the iconic Pont d’Arc. You can enjoy hiking and canoeing here. In addition, there are all kinds of caves with stalactites and murals that are definitely worth a visit. Don’t forget to visit the medieval towns that are full of castles and churches. There is plenty to do!

1) Gorges de l’Ardèche

This beautiful river gorge can be found near the river Ardèche and is one of the most famous sights of the Ardèche. It is an impressive gorge that can be up to 30 kilometers long and 300 meters deep in some places. The water is surrounded by high cliffs with green vegetation and it is therefore recommended to rent a canoe and admire the surroundings from the water. Some parts of the river are wild and therefore a real challenge for the experienced kayaker or canoeist. There are several places and towns where you can rest on a small beach and enjoy the sun. An example of this is the natural bridge Pont d’Arc. 

2) Pont d’Arc

The Pont d’Arc is a beautiful natural bridge near the Gorges de l’Ardèche. The bridge is 34 meters high and it is possible to reach the top via a footpath. From there you have a beautiful view over the entire gorges. Next to the bridge is a nice beach where you can rest and even take a dip in the water. It is also a good place to moor with your canoe or kayak. Near the bridge is the town of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. It is a cozy place with many shops and restaurants. 

3) Aven d’Orgnac

Aven d’Orgnac is one of the most famous caves in the Ardèche. The cave is located near the town of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and is therefore easy to reach from this place. To get to the cave, you first have to descend deeply, but once you reach the bottom you can admire the special cave. Bones from Ice Age animals were found in the cave. The highest stalactite columns in the Aven d’Orgnac can be 590 meters high and the cave has an area of ​​3 hectares.

4) Chauvet Cave

The Chauvet Cave is located near the Pont d’Arc. It is one of the best-preserved caves with wall paintings and it is therefore highly recommended to visit the cave. The murals are of various animals and some are as old as 32,000 years. The cave was only discovered in 1994 and it has been a popular landmark ever since. The cave itself is closed to the general public as this can damage the drawings. There is a beautiful exact replica of the cave built in the Caverne du Pont d’Arc. Not only the cave and the paintings are imitated, the conditions are also the same. For example, the humidity and smell are identical, so it feels like you’re walking into a real cave.

5) Vogüé

Vogüé is a beautiful castle town on the Ardèche River. The entire medieval town is part of France’s cultural heritage and is a popular landmark. You should definitely walk down La Rue des Puces. This is one of the narrowest streets in all of France and is home to many medieval houses and a few dating back to the 17th century. All streets lead to the castle of Vogüé. It is a beautiful castle from the 11th century and it is still very well preserved. 

6) Balazuc

Balazuc is a beautiful town next to the Ardèche River. This city is also built against a rock wall and even seems to disappear into the cliff. There are buildings on different floors, so there is a big difference in height. From Balazuc you have a good view of the valley and the river. In the city, it seems as if time has stood still for a while and you are back in the Middle Ages. 

7) Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc

The Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc mountain is located in the Mont d’Ardèche Natural Park. This large nature park consists of many high mountains and a varied landscape with rocks, forests, and meadows. There are two more volcanoes in the nature park, including the Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc. The volcano is no longer active, but it is still a beautiful mountain that you absolutely have to climb. From the 1551-meter-high mountain, you have a panoramic view of the surrounding area. 

8) Cascade du Ray-Pic

The Cascade du Ray-Pic is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Ardèche. You can find it near the village of Péreyres. The waterfall is 60 meters high and follows the path of a lava flow that used to erode the rock face. You can walk well in the area and there are plenty of points where you can take beautiful pictures of the waterfall. There is also a hiking trail that leads you up between the rocks. Once at the top you have a fantastic view of the Cascade du Ray-Pic.

9) Bois de Païolive

Bois de Païolive is a special forest in the south of the Ardèche. It consists of many green trees, a vast landscape and unusual rock formations. Especially the rocks attract many tourists to this forest. Over millions of years, the rocks have been slowly eroded and eroded by the wind and water. As a result, the rocks now have special shapes and holes, in which you can recognize all kinds of objects and animals.

10) Enjoy Some Lavender

No explanation needed.

11) Labeaume

Labeaume is a pretty village on the Ardèche River. The village is located against the cliff and on top you will find a beautiful castle. You should definitely visit this castle and from above you have a wide view of the green surroundings and the river. The town itself consists of cozy streets with medieval stone houses and small shops. From Labeaume you can also easily explore the surrounding dolmen. Dolmen, like dolmens, are graves made of large boulders.

12) La dolce Via in the Ardèche

The Dolce Via is the Cycling Route of the Year (2020) is a nice way to discover a beautiful part of the Ardèche by (e-)bike. Bike through the Eyrieux Valley alongside the Gorges de l’Ardèche! Robust boulders keep the river in check, which sometimes drifts at small waterfalls or is restrained by large and small dams. You still have to pay attention because here too we partly cycle on unpaved gravel paths. 

Lunch tip! There are more scenic picnic spots than restaurants along the way, so get that baguette, sausage, and cheese ready to enjoy on the grass or at a picnic table.

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