Discover the Ardèche: must-see sites

The Ardèche gorges, from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc to Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche

32 kilometers of spectacular gorges in the heart of southern Ardèche! This is what lovers of magnificent scenery can admire between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche…

It took over a hundred million years for the waters of the famous Ardèche river to carve out a deep canyon.

The result is breathtaking : an immense parade of limestone cliffs up to 300 metres high, all set in unspoilt wilderness…

Camping Paradis du Bois Simonet is ideally located for discovering the gastronomic delights of the Ardèche and for enjoying all the activities on offer near Joyeuse.

Ardèche villages of character to visit

Labeaume

In the heart of the Gorges de Labeaume, in southern Ardèche, discover a charming village of character nestled along the river at the foot of steep limestone cliffs, just 16 km from the Joyeuse campsite. Take advantage of a stopover in Labeaume to stroll through a picturesque maze of sloping cobbled streets punctuated by covered passageways and pretty stone facades. Nestled on the water’s edge, the pleasant Place du Sablas, with its fountain, is shaded by century-old plane trees. Nearby, from the submersible bridge over Labeaume, you can enjoy a superb view of the entire village, surrounded by cliffs.

Balazuc

Perched on a cliff overlooking the River Ardèche, 20 minutes from the village of Joyeuse, the superb village of Balazuc boasts an admirably restored heritage. A former stronghold of the Lords of Balazuc, this small town of character, with its rich medieval past, is now listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages. A charming labyrinth of winding streets interspersed with vaulted passageways, arcades and staircases, to be enjoyed on foot, during a delightful stroll… An opportunity to admire the two beautiful buildings listed as historic monuments, the feudal castle, which has been altered several times, and the Romanesque church of Sainte-Madeleine, which hosts concerts and painting exhibitions in summer. Then head for the bridge over the Ardèche and the opposite bank for a breathtaking postcard view of the village…

The Romanesque church of Thines

Perched atop a rocky promontory, the village of Thines, a haven of peace in the commune of Marlace-sur-la-Thines in the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park, is home to a jewel of Romanesque art classified as a Monument Historique by Prosper Mérimée: the ^12th-century church of Notre-Dame, remarkable for its monumental portal, chevet and sculpted capitals. Also worth a visit are the narrow streets and houses with their lauze roofs, which, together with the Romanesque church, make Thines an authentic place full of charm.

Largentière

Located in the Vallée de la Ligne, in the Ardèche, the welcoming town of Largentière forms an admirable whole, with its riverside facades, palace of justice and bishops’ castle. Largentière, which once enjoyed a golden age thanks to silver-lead mining, invites you to discover its rich heritage. The picturesque medieval streets lined with old houses, the Renaissance town hall, the ^13th-century Gothic church of Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers and the Porte des Récollets, a vestige of the old ramparts, are just some of thearchitectural attractions to be admired during a stroll. Formerly the property of the bishops of Viviers, the 12th- and 15th-century château has successively served as a court, prison and hospital. Nowadays, during the summer medieval events, some of its rooms are open to visitors. Every year in July and August, the Château de Largentière hosts the Temps des Chevaliers, with live shows, entertainment and medieval know-how.

The Tanargue massif

Located in the Massif Central, in the heart of the Ardèche mountains, the Tanargue is also unique in that it lies within the Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d’Ardèche, on the watershed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Nicknamed Montagne du Tonnerre, this protected massif is home to a wealth of ecological resources. Its highest point is Grand Tanargue, at an altitude of 1,511 metres. To explore the Tanargue is to discover its wild landscapes of steep foothills, high-altitude grasslands, peat bogs, streams and old-growth forests.

Vals-les-Bains

The charming little spa town of Vals-les-Bains in the Ardèche region is home to the famous Vals water, a sparkling mineral water rich in bicarbonates, appreciated as much for its gustatory qualities as for its digestive benefits. Nestled in the verdant landscapes of the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park, on either side of the waters of the Volane, Vals-les-Bains boasts a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. The Belle Époque-style spa district, with its many riverside parks and footbridges over the Volane, is an inviting place to stroll. To be seen in the Parc de l’Intermittente, near the spa: the famous intermittent spring whose geyser gushes out every six hours: at 5.30 am, 11.30 am, 5.30 pm and 11.30 pm in summer; at 4.30 am, 10.30 am, 4.30 pm and 10.30 pm in winter.

Caves and underground sites to explore

The Chauvet Cave

Located in the commune of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, near the famous Pont d’Arc marking the entrance to the Ardèche Gorge, the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave, discovered in 1994 by three enthusiastic cavers, is a masterpiece of prehistoric cave art. This Palaeolithic cave features an extraordinary bestiary on its walls, with no fewer than 425 animal representations! Dating from the Aurignacian period, these paintings and engravings are among the oldest in the world…

L’aven d’Orgnac

Orgnac-l’Aven, close to the Ardèche gorges and the Cèze valley, the aven d’Orgnac, classified as a “Grand Site de France”, will take you on a dreamlike journey into a fairytale underground world… Take an hour-long guided tour and admire its grandiose chambers adorned with splendid concretions, its forest of “piles of plates”, its “palm trees” up to 17 metres high, and its majestic draperies ! In the red room, 121 metres below the surface, a spellbinding sound and light show completes the discovery of the cave. A museum, the Cité de la Préhistoire, presents the archeological heritage of the Ardèche and the way of life of prehistoric man in a fun, interactive setting.

The Cocalière cave

In the Cévennes, on the border of the Gard and Ardèche departments, nestles one of France’s most beautiful caves: the Grotte de la Cocalière. The guided underground tour, which lasts around an hour, reveals a splendid array of concretions: stalagmites, stalactites, discs, draperies… In addition to these marvels, prehistoric objects and bones from excavations are also on display. Once the tour is over, you can return to the starting point in the open air, by small train, through the garrigue.