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Ardeche

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Visit Ardeche

The Ardeche department is in the south-west of the Rhone-Alpes region, and the south-eastern part of the massif Central.

Less well known than some parts of southern France, it is often a very scenic department and should feature high on a visitors list of 'places to visit'.

The landscape varies from rolling forest or moorland covered hills and small scale farming, to craggier landscapes with cliffs and steeper hills, and includes one of the most scenic highlights in France - the Gorges of the Ardeche.

Typical of the Massif Central, this varied landscape attracts many outdoor enthusiasts - the opportunities for hiking, cycling, canoeing etc are very varied.

There are also numerous small villages and towns to discover and explore, along with the larger towns of Privas and Largentiere, and the cathedral town at Viviers.

Ardeche Gorge

Most visitors are aware of the Gorges of the Ardeche - and often it is the highlight that attracts visitors in the first place. Either driving along the top of the gorges, or canoeing along the Ardeche river itself, the scenery is very memorable. The 'base town' for exploring the gorges is the lively town at Vallon Pont d'Arc, while a few kilometres to the east, at the entrance to the gorges, the impressive stone arch at Pont d'Arc has popular river beaches.

Saint Montan / Gorges de l'Ardeche

Ardeche villages

Scattered across the Ardeche there are numerous attractive villages, many of which you will come across simply as your are touring, or because they are near your accommodation.

Ardeche villages of character

To make your task easier, the Ardeche tourist board have designated selected villages as 'villages of character'. These are particularly noteworthy due to their attention to preserving the historic setting and appeal of the village and / or for being in exceptional settings. Certain of these villages are also categorised as 'most beautiful villages of France (Aubenas is well placed for discovering these villages)

Currently there are 17 of these classified villages of character: Ailhon, Alba-la-Romaine, Antraigues-sur-Volane, Balazuc, Beauchastel, Banne, Boucieu-le-Roi, Chalencon, Desaignes, Jaujac, Labeaume, Meyras, Naves (near Les Vans), Saint-Montan, Thueyts, Vinezac and Vogue.

Labeaume / Banne

Some of the villages only take half an hour to explore, others warrant at least half a day, plus of course the time spent in cafes, following trails near the village, dipping your feet in a river beach...but all are well worth the trouble. Among my personal favourites are Banne, Saint-Montan and Vogué; but there are still a couple I haven't had a chance to visit...and it's really very hard to choose among many of them.

Ardeche caves

Also in the department you will find two of the best cave systems in France:

• the Aven d'Orgnac, one of the listed 'Grand sites of France' (just south of Vallon Pont d'Arc)
• Chauvet caves, said to have some of the oldest prehistoric paintings in Europe

Other

Don't overlook the other highlights of the department - there is a lot to see and enjoy! These include the Regional Natural Park of the Monts d'Ardeche (a good introduction is to follow the N102 road between Pradelles and Aubenas - very scenic but unfortunately not many stopping places).

Everywhere you go in the Ardeche you will find opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. You will also find lots of 'local activities' - treetop adventures, small animal parks, heritage museums and so on.

See a list of all Ardeche communes