Gorges de l'Ardèche, Natural limestone canyon in Gard, France.
The Gorges de l'Ardèche extends for 32 kilometers between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, featuring limestone cliffs rising 250 meters above the river.
The Ardèche River carved this deep canyon through limestone rock formations over millions of years, creating natural shelters used by prehistoric humans.
Local communities maintain strong connections to outdoor activities, organizing annual sporting events and promoting educational programs about environmental preservation.
Visitors can explore the gorge through marked trails, eleven observation points along the road, or by participating in guided canoe trips down the river.
The reserve contains specific Mediterranean plant species and provides a protected habitat for 27 of the 30 raptor species found in France.
Location: Gard
Address: F9X5+5H, 07120 Balazuc, France 07700 Balazuc
Website: http://les-gorges-de-l-ardeche.com
GPS coordinates: 44.36381,4.46320
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:56
France's landscape features a variety of natural canyons carved by river erosion over millennia. These geological formations include the white limestone walls of Verdon, the red shale cliffs of Daluis Canyon, and the emerald waters of Ardèche. Each site reflects a unique geological history, with depths ranging from a few tens of meters to over 700 meters. The Tarn gorges stretch 50 kilometers between the Causses, while Verdon has created Europe's deepest canyon. In the Pyrenees, the Gorges de la Carança and Gorges de la Fou offer pathways with metal walkways. The Alps host the Aiglun Gorge and Daluis Gorges, recognizable by their Permian red rocks. These natural sites are suitable for hiking, climbing, kayaking, and feature many viewpoints to observe these rock formations from nearby roads.
France offers motorcyclists a diverse landscape, from Alpine peaks to Mediterranean coasts, including wine regions. The country is suitable for all riding styles, with demanding mountain roads, winding coastal routes, and rural paths. Key routes include the Col de la Bonette, reaching 2802 meters and connecting Ubaye to Tinée over 26 kilometers. The Gorges du Verdon feature 21 kilometers of rock-carved road, passing through tunnels and 700-meter-high cliffs. The Routes of the Great Alps cross 16 passes over 684 kilometers between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean, with a total ascent of 15,700 meters. Mount Ventoux, accessible via three routes and standing at 1912 meters, passes through lavender fields and vineyards in Provence. Regions display striking contrasts: Corsica alternates between cliff roads and pine forests, the French Riviera combines coast and mountainous hinterland, and Dordogne winds between limestone cliffs and medieval villages. Lake Annecy connects water bodies with forested mountain passes. These routes feature technical curves, varied landscapes, and cultural sites.
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.
Chauvet Cave
4.8 km
Grotte Chauvet 2 - Ardèche
5.6 km
Aven d'Orgnac
6.4 km
Pont d'Arc
4.2 km
Musée de la Lavande
2.6 km
Château des Roure
5.1 km
Réserve naturelle nationale des gorges de l'Ardèche
2 km
Grotte de la Madeleine
3.2 km
Aven Marzal
3.8 km
Goule de Foussoubie
6.6 km
Grotte des Huguenots
5.1 km
Grotte du Déroc
5.2 km
Zoo Préhistorique de Marzal: la Forêt des Dinos
4 km
Cité de la Préhistoire
6.5 km
Vestiges
4.1 km
Baume d'Oullins
2.5 km
Grotte de la Vacheresse
4.7 km
Dolmens du Chanet
2.3 km
Chanet dolmen
1.2 km
Baume de Ronze
6.9 km
Église de l'Orgnac-l'Aven
6.8 km
Église de Le Garn
6.4 km
Église de Saint Remèze
4.4 km
Église de la Décollation-de-Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bidon
5.6 km
Aven de la Rouvière
5.2 km
Aven de l'Arquet
6.4 km
Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Saint-Remèze
4.7 km
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Stunning natural space and fascinating view from the top of the Gorges where canoes and their crews can be seen!
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