Monts du Vivarais, Mountain range in Ardèche, France

The Monts du Vivarais is a mountain range in Ardèche featuring several peaks across a broad area, with dense forests giving way to more open terrain at higher elevations. The landscape shows deep valleys, rocky outcrops, and highland plateaus that shape its appearance.

People have lived in this mountain region since ancient times, with evidence of human settlements found across the area. Communities established themselves here over many centuries and adapted to life in the highlands.

The range takes its name from the old province of Vivarais, and the alternative name Monts d'Ardèche can also refer to the regional nature park. Around the Gerbier-de-Jonc, a rocky outcrop fitted with a 110-space car park, about 400,000 visitors climb it each year. The Estables ski station, named after the village at the foot of Mont Mézenc, draws several thousand tourists each winter.

Hiking trails of different difficulty levels run through the mountains, allowing visitors to choose routes that match their fitness and interests. It helps to check local conditions before heading out, as weather and ground conditions vary with the seasons.

The Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc, a rocky peak in the range, was fitted out to make climbing easier and draws an estimated 400,000 visitors a year, served by a 110-space car park. The Mont Mézenc, at 1,753 m the highest point, stands above the village and ski station of Les Estables.