Breathing in Ardèche means feeling the warm stone, the wind descending from the gorges, and the clear water stretching between the cliffs. Here, nature tells everything: caves hold traces of the earliest artists, villages nestle against the rocks, and bridges have connected the shores for centuries. Ardèche is not just a landscape; it’s an experience. We walk, climb, pedal, and marvel at the shapes water has carved into the stone. The Pont d’Arc, the Chauvet Cave, the deep gorges, the twisted woods of Païolive—all exude a raw, honest beauty. Between hikes, a hot chocolate in Tain, a castle visit, or a swim remind us that the real wealth here is the time we take.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, France
Pont d'ArcLimestone geological formation created by erosion from the Ardèche River. The arch is 54 meters high and 60 meters wide.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, France
Chauvet CaveDiscovered in 1994, it retains over a thousand paintings on its walls dating back 36,000 years. Bison, lions, bears… images from a former world, full of life.
Saint-Remèze, France
Lavender MuseumIn Saint-Remèze, this museum smells of Provence. Stills, tools, fields of blue as far as the eye can see: an immersion in the fragrant history of Ardèche lavender.
Tain-l'Hermitage, France
Valrhona Chocolate CityDiscovery center dedicated to chocolate, showcasing production stages, with tasting workshops and exhibition areas.
Orgnac-l'Aven, France
Prehistory CityResearch center and museum presenting archaeological collections from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age in Ardèche.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Gorges of the ArdècheLimestone geological formation carved by the Ardèche River between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, with cliffs 300 meters high.
Ardèche, France
Mont Gerbier de JoncVolcanic mountain standing at 1551 meters in the Massif Central. The Loire rises here from three springs.
Peaugres, France
Peaugres Safari80-hectare zoological park hosting 1200 animals of 128 different species, featuring both walkable paths and a car circuit.
Les Vans, France
Païolive Woods16 km² forest area composed of white oaks and limestone rocks forming natural labyrinths.
Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, France
Vivarais TrainBetween Saint-Jean-de-Muzols and Lamastre, the old train whistles in the Doux Valley. Steam, tunnels, and viaducts: a journey to the rhythm of the past.
Péreyres, France
Ray-Pic WaterfallIn Péreyres, the Bourges River drops 60 meters among basalt columns. The place is wild, resonant, and magnificent.
Courry, France
Cocalière Cave1-kilometer underground network with limestone formations, a river, and prehistoric remains, accessible via guided tours.
Boucieu-le-Roi, France
Doux Gorge VélorailPedaled rail on an old railway line, offering four circuits ranging from 8 to 20 kilometers.
Saint-Péray, France
Crussol CastleRemains of a 12th-century fortress built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Rhône Valley at an altitude of 400 meters.
Balazuc, France
Balazuc Village11th-century medieval town built on a rocky spur, featuring fortifications, a keep, a castle, and cobbled streets.
Saint-Gineys-en-Coiron, France
Balmes de MontbrunNetwork of dwellings carved into volcanic rock, evidencing human habitation since the Middle Ages.
Vogüé, France
VogüéMedieval village built on rocks. The castle dates back to the 11th century and overlooks the old houses connected by vaulted passages.
Bidon, France
Saint-Marcel Cave57-kilometer underground network with calcite formations, gours, and concretions. Guided tours focus on geology and history.
Aubenas, France
Aubenas Castle12th-century fortress with guardroom, decorated chambers, and a tower offering a view over the Ardèche Valley.
Ruoms, France
Beaume GorgeNatural canyon where the Beaume River flows between limestone cliffs. Road D24 follows the watercourse for 20 kilometers.
Thueyts, France
Devil's BridgeMedieval stone construction with an arch over the Ardèche River. The bridge offers a view of basalt formations.
Les Vans, France
Chassezac GorgeDeep valley located between mountains with 400-meter rock walls. The site permits climbing and swimming.
Alba-la-Romaine, France
Alba la Romaine Castle11th-century medieval fortress with a central square tower. The facade has decorative paintings and the interior retains period rooms.
Antraigues-sur-Volane, France
Antraigues-sur-VolaneMountain village at 470 meters characterized by narrow streets and 100 sculptures of faces carved into volcanic stone.
Saint-Remèze, France
Aven MarzalSubterranean cavity with three levels of galleries, lighting installations, and stairs allowing exploration of geological chambers.
Labeaume, France
LabeaumeVillage dating from the 12th century, perched on a limestone cliff along the Beaume River, with narrow alleys and stone houses.
Saint-Remèze, France
Madeleine CaveNatural cave adorned with limestone concretions, stalactites, and stalagmites, accessible via a marked path with a guide.
Ardèche, France
Mont MézencHighest point of the Ardèche mountains formed of volcanic rocks, offering hiking trails and a view of the Alps.
Alba-la-Romaine, France
MuséAlThe site presents ancient remains and a permanent collection of objects discovered during excavations of the Alba Helviorum site, dating from Roman times.
Tournon-sur-Rhône, France
Tournon CastleThe museum occupies a medieval castle with rooms arranged over two floors that present local history and offer a view of the Rhône Valley.
Balazuc, France
Ardèche MuseumThe museum displays a 200-square-meter collection of fossils found in the region, including marine and terrestrial specimens from various geological periods.
Orgnac-l'Aven, France
Aven d'OrgnacThis natural cavity includes networks of underground galleries spread over several levels, with limestone concretions formed over millennia.
Cruas, France
Sports Museum250 m² exhibition space presenting both old and modern sports equipment with interactive simulation zones.
Vals-les-Bains, France
Vals-les-BainsThermal center with treatment facilities and several naturally carbonated mineral water springs used since the 17th century.
Andance, France
Three Crosses of AndanceMountain trail leading to a viewpoint offering a view of the Rhône Valley and the Vivarais mountains.
Ardèche, France
Eyrieux Valley45-kilometer greenway laid out along a former railway line, connecting La Voulte-sur-Rhône to Le Cheylard for cyclists and pedestrians.