32 kilometres of spectacular gorges in the heart of southern Ardèche! That is what lovers of grandiose landscapes can admire between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche... It took more than a hundred million years for the waters of the famous Ardèche river to have hollowed out this deep canyon. The result is astonishing: an immense defile of limestone cliffs which can reach heights of 300 metres high, where the natural wilderness remains unspoilt...

The gateway to the gorges, the famous natural arch of the Pont d'Arc, is the ideal point of departure for making a descent of the Ardèche river by canoe-kayak. Many routes, ranging from the mini-descent of 8 kilometres to the long descent of 32 kilometres, are possible over one, two or three days. Heaven for canoeists and kayakers! Those looking for peace and tranquillity, however, should avoid going there in July and August, when the area is much visited by holidaymakers. At the foot of the Pont d'Arc, pleasant sandy beaches encourage lounging and bathing.

Leaving from the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, you can explore the Ardèche gorges' superb tourist trail, dotted with impressive, landscaped belvederes. There are splendid, incredible views to admire from the Serre de Tourre, the Cathédrale, the Balcon des Templiers or the Ranc-Pointu belvederes.

Listed as a Nature Reserve, the Ardèche gorges are dotted with signposted walks and are also suitable for rambling. A marvellous, immediate way to enjoy the beauty of nature in Ardèche!

Situated in the commune of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, near the famous Pont d'Arc, which marks the entrance to the Ardèche gorges, the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc Cave, discovered in 1994 by three passionate speleologists, is a masterpiece of prehistoric cave paintings. This Palaeolithic decorated cave has an extraordinary bestiary on its walls, which display no fewer than 425 animal figures! Dating from the Aurignacian period, these paintings and engravings are amongst the oldest in the world...

To conserve this unique place, closed to the public since its discovery, a reconstruction area composed of five buildings, with a facsimile of the Chauvet cave and a permanent exhibition about the Aurignacians and cave painting, is open since 2015, at the Razal site in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

Situated in the commune of Orgnac-l'Aven, close to the Ardèche gorges and the Cèze Valley, the Orgnac pothole, listed as a Great Site of France, will take you on a fabulous journey through an enchanting underground world...During the hour-long guided tour, admire its huge caves decorated with splendid concretions, its forest of "stacked plates" (stalagmites), its "palm trees" which can reach heights of 17 metres, and its majestic draperies. In the Red Room (Salle Rouge) at a depth of 121 metres, a completely enthralling sound and light show is a wonderful way to round off your exploration of the cave.

The museum called the Prehistoric City (Cité de la Préhistoire) present the archaeological heritage of Ardèche, as well as the everyday life of prehistoric humans, in a fun, interactive fashion.

Discover this charming little character village in the heart of the Beaume gorges in southern Ardèche, nestling along the river, at the foot of steep limestone cliffs. Take a break in Labeaume to stroll around the picturesque maze of cobbled, sloping little streets, with covered passages and fine stone façades. By the edge of the river, the pleasant Place du Sablas square boasts a nice fountain, and is shaded by hundred-year-old plane trees. Not far from there, from the submersible bridge over the Beaume, you can enjoy a superb view of the whole village, surrounded by cliffs.

Whilst in the area, take the time to go on a hike around the Beaume gorges, a conservation area which is home to many protected species.

From mid-July to mid-August, Labeaume en Musiques takes place, a festival of classical and world music.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the River Ardèche, the superb village of Balazuc has restored its heritage remarkably well. A former stronghold of the lords of Balazuc, this characterful little village, with its rich medieval past, is today listed amongst the most beautiful villages in France. A charming labyrinth of tortuous streets interspersed by arched passages, arcades and stairways, to be enjoyed on foot, during a delightful stroll...It's also a chance to admire its two beautiful buildings, listed as historic monuments: the feudal Castle, remodelled many times, and the Romanesque church of St Magdalen, which is a venue for concerts and exhibitions of paintings in summer. Then head for the bridge over the Ardèche, crossing to the other side to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the village looking like a picture postcard...

The area's other attractions include a beach for people to enjoy river bathing, a river sports centre offering canoe and kayak rides down the Ardèche, as well as a centre for education about the environment and sustainable development, situated at the Viel Audon hamlet co-operative, which is accessible in fifteen minutes on foot, along a path by the river.

Built at the foot of the limestone cliffs, the Castle of the Marquises of Vogüé overlooks a beautiful village of southern charm, built like an amphitheatre on the banks of the Ardèche. Flanked by four round towers, this medieval fort, refurbished in the 17th century, now hosts temporary exhibitions of the visual arts. Besides seeing the work of contemporary artists, here you can discover the history of the castle and the Vogüé family through the centuries, and admire a marvellous view of the village and the Ardèche Valley from the hanging garden.

Further down, be sure to take a little trip around the character village of Vogüé, with its old streets, arcades and arched passages here and there...

The Madeleine Cave nestles on the left bank of the famous Ardèche gorges, 7 kilometres from the village of Saint-Remèze, and was discovered in 1887 by a shepherd who had a passion for subterranean adventures. From mid-March to mid-November, a guided tour which lasts an hour invites young and old to enter a magical, mysterious world, where they can see a succession of stalagmites and stalactites, huge draperies, and other splendid, grandiose concretions...The enchantment of the place is also emphasised wonderfully by a sound and light show.

Once you have left the Cave, head for the Madeleine belvedere, which offers superb panoramic views of the Ardèche gorges!

Situated in the Ligne Valley, in Ardèche, the welcoming town of Largentière makes an admirable scene, with its houses looking onto the river, Courthouse and Bishops' Castle.

Having known a Golden Age, thanks to the mining of argentiferous lead, now Largentière invites you to explore its heritage, which bears witness to its rich past. The picturesque little medieval streets lined with ancient houses, its Renaissance Town Hall, the 13th-century Gothic church of Our Lady of the Apple Trees (Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers), and the Récollets gate, a relic of the old ramparts, are all architectural features to admire whilst taking a stroll.

Formerly owned by the Bishops of Viviers, the castle was built in the 12th and 15th centuries and was previously used as a courthouse, prison and hospital. Nowadays, during the medieval entertainment in the summer, some of its rooms are open to visitors.

Every year, in July-August, the Castle of Largentière hosts Le Temps des Chevaliers (“In the Time of the Knights”), with live shows, activities and displays of medieval skills.

A haven of peace for many plant and animal species, the Païolive Wood, in the Ardèche Cévennes, near to the town of Les Vans, extends for 16 km² on the edge of the magnificent Chassezac gorges. Nicknamed the Fairy Wood, this protected area, Mediterranean in type, with its holm and white oaks, is dotted with limestone ruiniform rocks, whose mineral shapes make real natural sculptures. In the course of a ramble you can admire the marvels of this strange place: petrified rocks making astonishing shapes such as a bear or a lion, or a bird on her nest! There are many trails, such as the Hiker's Loop, the Path of the Virgin and the Corniche Path, which enable you to get close to this exceptional natural heritage.

Perched on top of a rocky peak, Aiguèze is a picturesque medieval village overlooking the entrance to the Ardèche gorges. Listed among the most beautiful villages of France, Aiguèze charms its visitors in a very special way, with its ruined fortress, its paved alleyways winding between beautiful houses, the church with its Renaissance door, and its little square sitting in the shade of the plane trees. The wall-walk at the foot of the fortress rock offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

Belonging to the commune of Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche, the Saint-Marcel Cave, in the Bidon area at the entrance to the Ardèche gorges, will lead you into an enchanted world. During the guided hour-long tour, as you travel along a 600-metre long laid out path, you can admire its huge chambers such as the Fountain of the Virgin, the Painters' Gallery and the Kings' Table, its cascading pools and strange concretions!

One of the finest caves in France is tucked away in the Cévennes, at the edge of the departments of Gard and Ardèche - the Cocalière cave. Visitors can take an underground guided tour (lasting about an hour) to discover a splendid group of concretions: stalagmites, stalactites, discs, draperies and more. As well as these wonders, you can also see prehistoric objects and bones uncovered during digs. When the tour is over, visitors return to the starting point in the open air on board a small train through the scrub.

Discover, at the entrance to the Sainte-Beaume gorges in southern Ardèche, the beautiful medieval village of Saint-Montan, which has been admirably restored, with charming little sloping streets dotted with pretty stone façades. At the peak of the village are the remains of a great feudal Castle, which was said to be impregnable. Having strolled along the Saint-Montan streets, you can amble around the scented "curate's" garden, then go back to the road towards Larnas and its Romanesque church, to explore the unspoilt, craggy countryside of the Sainte-Beaume gorges.

In the heart of the old hillside town of Aubenas stands Montlaur Castle, a gem of Ardèche civil architecture. Listed as an Historic Monument, the castle was inhabited from the 12th century up to the Revolution by six successive seigniorial families. Covered by varnished tiles, flanked by a keep with watchtowers and two round pepperpot towers, mullioned windows, and a Renaissance courtyard, Aubenas Castle is also special in that it houses a wide collection of paintings, sculptures and etchings.

Opposite the castle stands Delichères House. Gothic in style, this great 15th century dwelling is decorated with gargoyles. The town's heritage also includes Saint-Benoît Dôme, the old chapel of a Benedictine convent in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today it houses religious art objects and the marble mausoleum of the Marshal and Marshaless of Ornano.

Then head for the belvedere and orientation table on the Place de l'Airette, which gives you a great panoramic view of the Ardèche Valley!

Every Saturday morning on the Place du Château, there is a local produce market, full of colours and flavours.

At the outskirts of the picturesque village of Lussan, lovers of wild scenery will find the site of the Concluses, a remarkable natural area to say the least! The Concluses or gorges of the Aiguillon can only be reached on foot, during the summer period when the river bed is dry. Hikers will find a beautiful group of rocks reminiscent of a lunar landscape and dominated by tall cliffs with hollowed-out cavities.

Nestling at the heart of Gard Provence, the charming elevated village of La Roque-sur-Cèze is listed among the most beautiful villages of France and shows great architectural unity. To see this, just take a look at its castle ruins, the Romanesque chapel, the medieval bridge over the river Cèze, and the picturesque sloping, paved alleyways between pretty stone houses.

Not far from the village, don't forget to go and admire the listed site of the Sautadet waterfalls, which is very impressive with its giants' cauldrons!

The charming Ardèche village of Mirabel is a much-appreciated stop for people who love the picturesque, with its cobbled lanes, its stone houses and arched passages. Above the former stronghold, on basalt cliffs, stands a square tower, made of blocks of black basalt, with white limestone wall ties, the remains of medieval fortifications which once stood at this site. From there you have a superb view of the Coiron plateau, the Auzon Valley and the Lower Vivarais!

The charming little spa resort of Vals-les-Bains, in Ardèche, produces the famous Eau de Vals, a sparkling mineral water which is rich in bicarbonates, enjoyed both for its taste and its digestive properties.

Nestling in the heart of the verdant countryside of the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, on the banks of the Volane, Vals-les-Bains has a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. The spa quarter, built in the style of the Belle Époque, is especially good for relaxation, with its riverside parks full of different plant species and footbridges across the Volane. In the Intermittente Park near the Thermal Baths, you should see the famous Intermittente spring, where the geyser spouts up every six hours: at 5.30 am, 11.30 am, 5.30 pm, 11.30 pm in summer, and 4.30 am, 10.30 am, 4.30 pm, and 10.30 pm in winter.

Vals-les-Bains is also a place for leisure activities, with its casino, theatre, cinema, municipal swimming pool, mini-golf, the surrounding countryside (good for hiking and mountain biking), its summer events and night-time markets in July and August. The thermal baths, as well as specialising in treating digestive ailments, diabetes and obesity, also offer courses of treatment to promote well-being, and help you get back into shape. Their spa, with a Jacuzzi, swimming-pool, aquajets, Turkish baths and face and body treatments, has everything to delight those looking for relaxation!

Not far from the hillside villages of Provençale Drôme, the town of Pierrelatte has Europe's biggest animal park dedicated to reptiles. The Crocodile Farm is home to 11 of the 23 crocodile species currently existing in the world. Today, nearly 400 live in the animal park. Among them are the famous Nile crocodiles and a particularly rare species: the Albino Mississippi alligator. There are indeed only twenty or so in the world, and two of them live in the park.

Discover the trail created in a tropical glasshouse, where the temperature is around 30 degrees. Its explanation signs tell visitors all about how the various crocodile species live. A listed botanical garden, this glasshouse contains over 600 exotic plant species.

The Crocodile Farm is also home to other reptiles such as giant tortoises, varans, iguanas, anacondas and pythons. It also has fish and tropical birds. An ideal place for a fun and educational day out with the family!

Amidst its exceptional built heritage, Drôme also offers some superb natural landscapes. At the heart of the Rhône Valley, not far from Montélimar, the Défilé de Donzère pass is a very fine example!

Once upon a time, the River Rhône forced its way through the limestone massif in a long corridor, thus forming a magnificent, steep-sided passage. Along the left bank of the river, between Donzère and Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, tall cliffs tower majestically over the Rhône and the Robinet suspension bridge. The many caves in these limestone rocks were homes for people in around 2,500 B.C. Known as "baumes" in Provençal, today they are a refuge for many animals like bats, genets and Mediterranean warblers.

At the foot of the Coiron massif, in southern Ardèche, stands Alba-la-Romaine, famous for having been the capital of the Helvian people in antiquity. From this glorious past there are still some remains of a Roman theatre, a sanctuary, and a monumental centre to explore, going along a trail which is marked out with information signs.

But Alba-la-Romaine is not only an ancient Romano-Gallic settlement, Alba Helviorum, but also a charming medieval village, with cobbled streets lined with ancient white limestone and black basalt houses, overlooked by an impressive feudal Castle which can be visited from Easter to the beginning of November.

The administrative and religious capital of Vivarais, the town of Viviers, on the right bank of the Rhône, in southern Ardèche, retains an important heritage from its rich past, including many listed monuments. A heritage discovery trail will lead you to its architectural treasures: the Town Hall, in the former bishops' palace; the 18th-century Hôtel de Roqueplane, now the seat of the diocese; the Cathedral of St Vincent, Romanesque, flamboyant Gothic and 18th-century in style, with its choir decorated by Gobelins tapestries and its marble high altar; the 16th-century Knights' House (Maison des Chevaliers) with its magnificent Renaissance façade, decorated with medallioned busts; the Grande Rue with the elegant mansions of Beaulieu and Tourville, both dating from the 18th century...

If you stroll around the upper town, you can discover its fine viewpoints, especially the Châteauvieux belvedere, which gives a superb panoramic view over the roofs of the town and the Rhône Valley.

At Sceautres, in the heart of southern Ardèche, you can admire the largest neck in Europe, a piton of hard rock on the site of an ancient volcanic chimney. You can also explore the charming little village of Sceautres at the foot of this unusual site, with its pretty stone houses. You can see the remains of medieval constructions such as the fortified door...

To have a fine view of the village and its surroundings, take the footpath towards the peak of the neck and its statue of the Virgin, which will take about fifteen minutes.

Situated on the eastern edge of the Massif Central, the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park extends across an area of more than 180,000 hectares, and covers six different landscapes, which are the Boutières, the Vernoux plateau, the Sucs region, the High Cévenne, the Piémont cévenol and the southern Cévenne. Ancient chestnut groves, dry stone terraces, old  volcanos, forests and pastures, gorges and verdant valleys, moors and garrigue all make up the variety of landscapes which characterise this vast protected area.

The Ardèche mountains stretch out to the west of the Park, with, amongst others, the Tanargue massif, an area of medium height mountains good for outdoor activities such as hiking or mountain biking, horse-riding and fishing, in the summer; and alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoe walking in the winter, at the Croix de Bauzon resort.

Famous volcanic sites, like Mount Mézenc – the highest point in the Ardèche (1 753 metres high), the Ray-Pic waterfall, the Jaujac basalt lava flows and Mount Gerbier de Jonc, at the foot of which the Loire river has its source, will delight nature lovers.

While the Ardèche Mountains Nature Park enchants sports lovers, it also delights those wishing to relax, with its three spa resorts, Neyrac-les-Bains, Saint-Laurent-les-Bains et Vals-les-Bains. Their spa establishments provide, apart from medical cures, courses of treatment for well-being, fitness and beauty therapy, such as the Thermal Baths at Neyrac-les-Bains, which offer body treatments inspired by Asia and the East...To stay in the Ardèche Mountains is also to take time to luxuriate on the beach of Lake Saint-Martial, where bathing is supervised in July and August, or to descend the Eyrieux or Chassezac rivers by canoe-kayak.

This wild conservation area is also rich in built heritage, predominantly stone edifices: Romanesque churches; medieval Castles; the picturesque little village of Chalencon with its granite houses; the hillside village of Antraigues-sur-Volane, with its shady terraces on Place de la Résistance Square and lanes whose walls are decorated with sculptures ; the remains of the Charterhouse of Bonnefoy, dating from the 18th century; the character village of Jaujac with its basalt lava flows; and Rochemure Castle, within whose walls the Park House (Maison du Parc) now stands.

To visit this part of Ardèche is also to learn about its history, traditions and skills, thanks to various museums such as the House of the Chestnut (Maison du Châtaignier) at Saint-Pierreville, the Bourlatier farm at Saint-Andéol-de-Fourchades, the Museum of Vivarais Protestants at Pranles, the Eco-museum (Ecomusée des Terrasses) at Saint-Michel-de-Chabrillanoux, and also the Chestnut Grove Museum (Musée de la Châtaigneraie) at Joyeuse.

In autumn, many places celebrate the traditional chestnut festival, the Castagnades, which honours the famous Ardèche nut.

Perched high on a rocky promontory, the village of Thines, a haven of peace in the commune of Malarce-sur-la-Thines, in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, contains a gem of Romanesque art named as an Historic Monument by Prosper Mérimée: the 12th- century of Church of Our Lady (Notre-Dame), remarkable for its imposing door, its chevet and its sculpted capitals. Other places to explore are the narrow lanes and thackstone roofed houses, which, together with the church, make Thines a place full of authentic charm.

Situated on a basalt lava flow overlooking the Ardèche river, the village of Thueyts invites ramblers to explore its totally beautiful natural sites. The Hell's Mouth (Gueule d'Enfer) waterfall, the Giants' Road (Chaussée des Géants), the Devil's Bridge (Pont du Diable) over the Ardèche, and the King's Ladder (Échelle du Roi) are all places steeped in legend which you can admire on a ramble. This superb walk also gives bathing fans the chance to take a dip at the beach near the Pont du Diable bridge. More intrepid visitors can indulge in the joys of via ferrata!

Thueyts is not only favoured by natural advantages, it also has the picturesque charm of a village whose little streets are lined with Renaissance houses...

Uzès, the first duchy of France, invites walkers and architecture-lovers to discover its old town, which is full of charm and rich in ancient heritage.

A blend of Medieval, Renaissance and classical styles, the duchy of Uzès – or ducal castle – is one of the flagship sites of the city. Visit this place steeped in history and discover the gothic chapel and its superb stained glass windows, the splendid Renaissance façade of the central building, the furnished apartments, the cellar and the Bermonde Tower, an imposing 11th century keep offering a wonderful view of the rooftops of the historic centre.

Discover Uzès peacefully, wandering through its alleyways, squares and monuments, including private mansions and the remarkable Romanesque Fenestrelle Tower, a relic of the old cathedral, which is notable for being the only example of a round bell tower in France!

Above all, don't miss the Place aux Herbes square and its beautiful arcade houses. Full of activity with its café terraces and restaurants, every Saturday a Provençal market takes place in this pleasant square, full of colours and flavours.

The medieval garden at the foot of the King's Tower is also worth a look, with a fine range of ancient vegetable varieties and medicinal plants.

Les Nuits Musicales d'Uzès, a well-known music festival, takes place in July, with venues including the ducal palace, Saint Théodorit cathedral and the bishop's palace courtyard.

Situated in the Massif Central, in the heart of the Ardèche mountains, the Tanargue also has the peculiarity of being in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, on the watershed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Nicknamed the Tonnerre (Thunder), this protected massif is home to a great ecological treasure. Its highest point is at Grand Tanargue, at 1,511 metres in altitude. Roaming the Tanargue, you can explore its wild landscape, complete with craggy foothills, high altitude grassland, peat bogs, streams and ancient forests.

To enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Tanargue Massif, go to the Meyrand Pass, where there is a marvellous orientation balcony at an altitude of 1,371metres.

A stay in the Tanargue is also an ideal occasion to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, cycling and climbing.

A winter sports resort, Croix de Bauzon, stretches across the heart of this area, where you can practise alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoe walking and sledging. There is also a spa resort, Saint-Laurent-les-Bains, which specialises in treating rheumatic disorders as well as promoting general well-being and relaxation at the baths.

In the commune of Péreyres, in the Ardèche Cévennes, at 1,000 metres high, discover a remarkable natural volcanic site: the Ray-Pic Waterfall, a superb cascade springing forth amid columns of basalt! This extraordinary site can be admired from a viewpoint on the D215 road going from Péreyres to Lachamp-Raphaël, or from a landscaped belvedere which you can reach on foot in 15 minutes by taking a signposted path which starts at the roadside car park.