Ardèche: what to see and do
40 sites listed in the département. Famous for the dizzying gorges carved by the river of the same name, the Ardèche is a land of character between volcanic plateaus, stone villages and UNESCO-listed decorated caves. Hiking, canoeing and chestnut groves shape the way of life of this Cévennes département.
Arche de pont d'Arc
34 metres high and 59 metres wide at water level, the Pont d'Arc is a superb natural arch in the heart of the Ardèche, near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
Aven Grotte de Marzal
The Aven Grotte de Marzal was reported in 1892 by the master of speleology, E.A. Martel, as a natural wonder.
Aven d'Orgnac
The Aven d'Orgnac, first of all: 30,000 m² of developed caves to visit down a staircase of nearly 800 steps that takes you 150 m underground, to discover a world of concretions, stalagmites and stalactites.
La cascade du Ray-Pic
It is a natural waterfall 35 m high, north of Burzet, whose wild look enchants nature lovers.
Aven Grotte de la Forestière
Easily accessible to everyone since it has only 60 steps. In the cave you can see the zoo where live cave-dwelling animals are exhibited.
Balazuc
You have to get to the opposite bank of the Ardèche to have enough distance to see this superb village as a whole.
Bois de Paiolive
The Bois de Païolive (holm and downy oaks) is an aged private forest that therefore holds exceptional richness in insects, particularly beetles, for which entomologists and collectors travel from all over Europe.
Château de Crussol
Even though it is rightly considered one of the high places of Ardèche heritage, the ruins of the Crussol fortress are above all linked to the Rhône valley and the Valence landscape.
Gorges de la Beaume
The entrance to the gorges is 6 km west of La Marette, at the place called Pied de Bœuf.
Grotte de St Marcel
The access is on the edge of the tourist road of the Ardèche Gorges. Listed as national heritage since 1934.
Grotte de la Madeleine
In the heart of a natural site rated three stars in the Michelin guide and whose beauty has won over the most fervent lovers of wild nature, the Madeleine cave is one of the most surprising structures shaped by underground water.
Grotte des Huguenots
On the tourist road of the Ardèche Gorges, a 30 m pointed-arch porch shelters a speleological and prehistoric exhibition.
Grottes préhistoriques de Soyons
At the southern exit of the village, the caves occupy the east face of the Serre de Guercy.
Le Gournier
An oasis of relaxation in the Ardèche gorges. This exceptional site serves as a refuge for rare and sometimes very threatened fauna.
Les gorges du Chassezac
The Chassezac gorges form one of the most impressive canyons in the region. With about 400 metres of drop, its steep cliffs form a rampart between the Massif Central and the Cévennes.
Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc
This conical volcanic suc shelters at its foot one of the symbolic sources of the Loire, the longest river in France.
Pont du diable de Thueyts
The Giant's Causeway: two faults in the cliff have been turned into staircases, the King's ladder and the Queen's ladder.
Saint-Montan
Medieval site from the 5th to the 15th centuries, comprising a very large fortified town, three Romanesque churches, two chapels, a priory and an immense fortress reputed impregnable.
Vogüé
Vogüé is a tourist village on the banks of the Ardèche. The village is ranked among the most beautiful villages of France. The castle of the Lords of Vogüé and its four round towers overlook this southern town.
Abbaye notre Dame des Neiges
Centre Thermal de Vals les Bains
Chemin de fer du Vivarais
Château d'Aubenas
Château de Boulogne
Château de Chambonas
Château de Châteaubourg
Château de Ventadour
Château de Vogüé
Château des Roure
Coulée basaltique de Jaujac
Rushing down the foothills of the Tanargue (altitude 1,300 metres), the Lignon, a sometimes torrential river, runs past the village of La Souche (altitude 600 metres) then crosses the town of Jaujac (altitude 420 metres).
Cuves de Duzon
Exposition la grotte Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc
35,000 years ago, man invented the image. Discover the oldest cave paintings and engravings in the world, through dioramas, slide shows and the new video film, a production by the three discoverers.
Le Gour de la Sompe
Le Muséum de L'Ardèche - PaléOdécouvertes
Le village et le cirque de Naves
Les Gorges de l'Ardèche
The Ardèche Gorges are in the south of the Ardèche département, stretching about thirty kilometres between the famous Pont d'Arc at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche.
Parc animalier de Lussas
Rochemaure
Safari de Peaugres
Over 80 hectares, discover more than 800 animals: mammals, birds, reptiles. Commentary by audio cassette. Cafeteria. Play area. Show of raptors and storks in flight.
