Listed as a Character Village, the medieval village of Désaignes, in the heart of the Doux Valley, invites you to explore evidence of its eventful past. Once you have passed through one of its three medieval gates, stroll along the picturesque lanes lined with ancient houses. On your walk, admire its Romanesque church, its Gothic abodes, its Protestant temple and its 14th-century Castle. A museum devoted to local history and rural life in former times can be found in the castle, which has a spiral staircase and imposing chimneys.

Near the village of Nozières is the Rochebloine site, where there are remains of a medieval Castle. From here you have a superb view over the Doux Valley, the Ardèche mountains and the Alps! Accessible by walking for about ten minutes along a footpath, the site also provides landscape information tables.

Called the Mastrou, or Ardèche Train, the Vivarais railway line is a metre gauge railway line for tourists, 33 kilometres long, connecting Lamastre and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, near Tournon-sur-Rhône. The steam train and engine, both listed Historic Monuments, offer young and old the chance to explore the verdant Doux Valley, a conservation area with panoramic views which are inaccessible from the road.

A section of the Mastrou line can also be travelled by bicycle-rail (Vélorail), leaving from Boucieu-le-Roi. The line descends the Doux gorges for twelve kilometres, and the return journey is made by historic autorail. An excursion to be enjoyed as a couple, as a family or with friends!

Reaching an altitude of 1,128 metres, Mount Chiniac offers a beautiful view over the roofs of the Ardèche town of Saint-Agrève, which stretches out below it. From the orientation table built on its summit, a superb panoramic view of Mount Gerbier de Jonc, the Mézenc and the Lizieux Peak awaits landscape lovers! A stroll around Mount Chiniac, in the steps of André Rochedy, a poet born in Saint-Agrève, further adds to the attractions of the place...

A place of pilgrimage to St John Francis Regis and St Theresa Couderc, the village of Lalouvesc is well-known for its Neo-Byzantine style Basilica, dedicated to St Regis, and was erected in the 19th century by the architect of Our Lady of Fourvière in Lyon, Pierre Bossan. Inside, there are paintings in the choir which tell the story of the pilgrimage, stained-glass windows illustrate the life story of St John Francis Regis, and a reliquary contains the relics of the Saint.

Not far away the St Regis Chapel, the former vicarage of Lalouvesc church, where St Regis died on 31st December 1640, houses the recumbent statue of the Saint and also a magnificent fresco.

A museum dedicated to St Regis displays a diorama in 19 pictures relating the life story of the apostle of Vivarais, as well as ancient objects.

Don't forget to visit the orientation table, opposite the Basilica, with its beautiful view over the Rhône Valley and the Alps!

On the Upper Vivarais plateau, 6 kilometres north of Saint-Agrève, Devesset Lake stretches out over 48 hectares, surrounded by verdant countryside... Endowed with a sandy beach and a water games area, its leisure centre offers numerous activities, such as bathing (supervised in July and August), windsurfing, catamaran, kayak, paddle boats and fishing. Ramblers can walk around the lake in about an hour.

Perched on an imposing rocky piton, the remains of Rochebonne Castle's square tower and dwelling place are set in superb natural surroundings. Situated in the commune of Saint-Martin-de-Valamas, in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, this marvellous site gives a panoramic view of the verdant Eyrieux Valley and the Boutières mountain range!

Bordering the Rhône, opposite the Tain-l'Hermitage vineyards, stands the welcoming little town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, overlooked by the outline of the imposing 10th, 15th and 16th century Castle. You can admire this harmonious scene in peace from the Marc Seguin footbridge...

Once you have passed through the fine, nail-studded wooden door of the castle-museum, a former dwelling of the Lords of Tournon and now listed as an Historic Monument, you are able to explore its furnished rooms and important collections, which date from the Middle Ages to modern times. As well as tracing the history of the Counts of Tournon, the museum also concentrates on the arts and traditions of 19th and 20th-century Ardèche.

Those who like to walk will enjoy the opportunity to stroll in the garden of Eden, a verdant setting in a haven of peace, in the old town fortifications.

Not be be missed for anything is the superb Saint-Romain-de-Lerps Belvedere, at 649 metres high, where the grandiose view encompasses a 360 degree panorama. Overlooked by a Romanesque chapel, this ancient strategic, military and religious site is absolutely worth going out of your way to see, for its viewpoint over the Rhône Valley, the Ardèche Cévennes and the Alps. This incredible balcony-style belvedere has a panoramic view of thirteen departments! Along the edges of its two orientation tables is an interesting themed path, dotted with information boards about flora and fauna, geology, the Mistral wind, the Rhône and the chestnut tree.

Discover the Eyrieux Valley, in the heart of Ardèche, between Le Cheylard and La Voulte-sur-Rhône. It is a verdant area with unspoiled countryside alternating with typical villages, chestnut groves and cultivated terraces. A wonderful place to spend time relaxing or indulging in an outdoor leisure activity like rambling along signposted paths, going down the Eyrieux by canoe-kayak, bathing or fishing in the river, or cycling along the Dolce Via, with its 45 kilometres of gentle cycle paths...

You could also take the Eyrieux coast road, a fine road on a ridge, with a magnificent panoramic view of the Eyrieux and Rhône Valleys from the hillside ruins of the Pierregourde!

Famed for its prestigious wines, the Rhône Valley is home to some renowned vineyards. Like the Hermitage vineyard to the north of Valence, in the department of Drôme, which produces northern Côtes du Rhône grands crus. A listed site with its famous terraced hillsides, the Colline de l'Hermitage reveals some magnificent vineyard landscapes overlooking the Rhône.

Appreciated by wine-lovers, the Hermitage vineyard spans the territories of Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage, with a surface area of around 140 hectares. Awarded the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, the vineyard produces red wine from Syrah grapes,with a powerful and fruity character, as well as white wine from the Marsanne and Roussanne varieties, characterised by its suppleness and floral quality.

In Tain-l'Hermitage, the Cave de Tain cellar offers guided tours of its production room, so you can learn about its history along with its vinification and élevage techniques. And to find out more about the vineyard, follow the discovery trail among the vines. Thanks to the explanation signs, you will become an expert in the various grape varieties and specific characteristics that have made this vineyard world-famous!

Perched on a rocky spur like a sentinel, Crussol Castle, in the commune of Saint-Péray, looks down majestically on the Rhône Valley. Visible from afar, the remains of this 12th-century medieval fortress, which stands in a conservation area listed by Natura 2000, can also be admired close up, if you go on foot along a path which begins at the castle car park. This takes about a half-hour each way. As well as its ramparts, keep and ruined stately home, there you can admire a superb panoramic view of the Rhône plain and the city of Valence!

Every last weekend in June, Crussol celebrates its festival, a fun social event dedicated to the Middle Ages, with a medieval encampment, events with horses and falcons, and a sound and light show...

Monday: Open 24 hours a day
Tuesday: Open 24 hours a day
Wednesday: Open 24 hours a day
Thursday: Open 24 hours a day
Friday: Open 24 hours a day
Saturday: Open 24 hours a day
Sunday: Open 24 hours a day

This green holiday resort is located in the mid-mountain area in the Haute-Loire department, on the Vivarais-Lignon plateau. This territory's inhabitants particularly distinguished themselves during the Second World War by saving many Jews from deportation. Open to the public from the beginning of March to the end of November, the Lieu de Mémoire du Chambon-sur-Lignon memorial site houses a museum dedicated to the heroic acts of the plateau's inhabitants, who earned the distinction of "Just Among the Nations". A Memorial Garden imbued with serenity, designed by landscape gardener Louis Benech, completes the visit.

As for leisure activities, Le Chambon-sur-Lignon has a superb 18-hole golf course on a wooded, rolling site, a natural lake suitable for swimming, a tennis club and equestrian centres. Its idyllic environment on the banks of the River Lignon and its preserved natural heritage make it a choice destination for hiking and fishing. It has plenty to delight lovers of outdoor activities!

The gateway to the South of France and the capital of Drôme, Valence is a charming city in the Rhône Valley. Thanks to its sunny climate, location by the river and City of Art and History label, this is an attractive city in all respects. With its many café terraces, pleasant pedestrian squares, shopping streets and listed monuments, the old city offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Valence has some beautiful buildings, the oldest of which, the Cathedral of St. Apollinaris, dates from the 11th century. Its decorations are made of polychrome stones and its white stone bell tower contrasts with its molasse structure. At the heart of the cathedral's old cloister stands the Pendentif, a surprising funerary monument in the Renaissance style, dating from 1548. Also unmissable is the magnificent House of Heads on 57 Grande Rue, which is thus named after the many carved heads adorning its façade and inner courtyard. Built in the early 16th century, it marks the transition between the Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Inside, a permanent exhibition tells the story of the city.

Don't forget to go and admire the elegant façade of the 19th-century Mauresque House, on Rue Gaston Rey, with its Orientalism-inspired architecture. Then there's the Church of St. John, with its beautiful Neo-Romanesque porch bell tower from the 19th century, and its carved capitals from the old medieval Romanesque church. The monumental fountain dating from 1887, designed by Eugène Poitoux and installed at the heart of the city, on Boulevard Bancel. Or the 13th-century Draper's House, the oldest house in Valence, built from stone and tucked away in the Saint-Jean district.

For a spot of culture, the Valence Museum of Art and Archaeology, installed in the old episcopal palace, has an archaeological section telling the story of the civilisations that once occupied the Drôme and the middle of the Rhône Valley through a display of over 1,500 objects. The Art collection, meanwhile, has a collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and decorative arts on the theme of landscapes, from the 16th century to the contemporary era. Don't miss its belvedere on the top of the building, which offers an exceptional viewpoint over the city and the surrounding landscape.

Did you know that 10% of Valence's population is of Armenian origin? Head to the Armenian Heritage Centre to discover its permanent exhibition about the history of the Armenian genocide and exile.

The many parks have earned Valence its status as a green city. Right in the city centre, the Jouvet Park covers 7 hectares and is home to over 700 trees, some of which are listed as remarkable specimens. The canals that run through it and the menagerie make it an ideal place for walks with the family. Le Champ de Mars overlooking the superb public park is also an unmissable part of the city, in particular due to its fountains and its bandstand made famous by Peynet's Les Amoureux cartoon. Popular with the locals, this vast esplanade offers fabulous views over the Jouvet Park, Ardèche and Crussol Castle.

At the southern exit from the city, don't hesitate to stop by Valence harbour. The biggest river marina in France, it is located within the Épervière Park, a vast green space of 7 hectares featuring an arboretum, orchard, flower meadow, fun sports trail for children and a water fun centre.

Above all, don't leave Valence without having tasted its delicious speciality, the Suisse. This little shortbread man, flavoured with candied orange peel and orange blossom, is the ideal accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee!

The easternmost suc in Velay, the Lizieux Peak (Pic du Lizieux) in the municipality of Araules, Haute-Loire, overlooks a vast basalt plateau. The Bonas trail leads to the Lizieux Peak: its summit, which rises to an altitude of 1,388 metres, offers a superb 360° panoramic view of the surrounding unspoilt landscapes. An orientation table helps visitors to spot the Lignon Valley, the Vivarais mountains, Mount Mézenc, the Meygal massif, and even the Alps mountain range on a clear day!

The easy loop walk lasting around 1h30 is accessible to walkers of all levels of ability, as well as children, providing they have the proper footwear. Wild food lovers can take advantage of this beautiful hike on the Lizieux massif to pick some of the blueberries, raspberries or mushrooms that line the path!

This remarkable environment, part of which is classified as a Natura 2000 zone, is also appreciated in winter, when many cross-country skiers arrive.

Dominated by the Testavoyre, its highest peak culminating at an altitude of 1,436 metres, the Meygal massif is located in the heart of Velay, in Haute-Loire. This unspoilt territory is made up of dozens of sucs, the famous small, dormant volcanoes shaped like sugar loaves.

Covered by a vast forest, the Meygal is an ideal place for hiking in summer. A pleasant 13-kilometre trail starting at Queyrières invites you to take a tour. From the top of the Testavoyre, which is easily accessible to walkers, there is a superb view of the surrounding sucs and Mount Mézenc!

For runners, the Espace Trail du Meygal, the first permanent trail running space in Haute-Loire, offers eight marked circuits for different levels of ability, surrounded by splendid scenery.

In winter, a Nordic ski area ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 metres in altitude offers 44 kilometres of marked pistes and is a great place to enjoy snow sports: cross-country skiing trips and snowshoe walks in a magnificent forest setting are sure to enchant you!

Located in Velay, at an altitude of 820 metres in the municipality of Lapte, about ten kilometres east of Yssingeaux, Lake Lavalette extends over 220 hectares, at the heart of a beautiful, verdant landscape.

Surrounded by pine trees and fed by the waters of the Lignon, Lake Lavalette has a beach and Respirando-certified leisure centre, making it the ideal place for outdoor activities such as windsurfing, catamaran, stand up paddle, canoe-kayak and swimming. Around the lake, you can enjoy hiking and mountain biking, archery or volleyball, while making the most of a beautiful woodland setting that is both unspoilt and relaxing.

Boasting many small creeks that are ideal for picnics, Lake Lavalette was created when a dam was built. It also has a fishing area, which is open to permit-holders as long as they follow the rules.

In the heart of the Ardèche mountains, in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, in the commune of Saint-Andéol-de-Fourchades, stands the Bourlatier Farm, at an altitude of 1,380m. This is a former farm, traditionally built with a thackstone roof in the 17th century, and it is open to the public from May to the end of September. Topped with an impressive roof resembling an upturned bowl, its hay barn is now a memorial dedicated to its history as well as to the natural and architectural heritage of this magnificent part of Ardèche.

Interactive and fun guided tours, cultural events such as conferences, exhibitions and concerts, as well as a local produce area, are all to be enjoyed here.

The famous Loire, whose course runs through France for 1,013 kilometres, has its source in Ardèche, in the commune of Sainte-Eulalie, at the foot of Mount Gerbier de Jonc. Several springs - the geographical spring, the authentic spring and the real spring – converge here to create the famous wild river.

Not to be missed: a climb up Mount Gerbier; phonolitic in origin, it is situated on the watershed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Accessible on foot after a short but tough climb of thirty minutes, its peak, which reaches 1,551metres in altitude, gives an uninterrupted view over Ardèche, the Rhône Valley, the Cévennes and the Alps!

Situated on the frontier of the Ardèche and the Haute-Loire, Mount Mézenc, the two peaks of which reach 1,744 metres and 1,753 metres in altitude, is in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, on the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, in the communes of Borée and Les Estables.

Volcanic in origin, this dome of phonolite is definitely worth the climb, on one hand for the grandiose panoramic view over the Massif Central, the Rhône Valley and the Alps, which can be seen from the orientation table of the southern peak, and on the other for its exceptional flora – the great mountain violet, Jacobaea leucophylla, and also arnicas, epilobium, gentians, anemones, narcissi...which nature-loving walkers can admire on their way up, in the spring.

In winter, the family resort of Estables and the Nordic skiing area of Mézenc are great places to practise cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowshoe walking, snowkiting and dog-sleighing.

On the Mézenc massif, between February and June, gourmets who like marbled meat can try Mézenc's famous Fin Gras beef, whose high quality has earned it the AOC label.

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.

A picturesque village in Haute-Loire that seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale, Moudeyres particularly appeals to lovers of authentic buildings due to its houses with flagstone roofs and its beautiful, traditional thatched cottages made of volcanic stone. Particularly well-suited to rural life in the mid-mountain region, this type of construction is typical of the Mézenc plateau and gives Moudeyres a beautiful sense of architectural harmony.

The rural heritage of this charming village in the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park and its surroundings is on display at the Perrel brothers' farm, a listed historic monument located on the edge of the village. Set in old buildings with thatched roofs, the oldest of which dates back to the 16th century, this eco-museum dedicated to folk arts and traditions charts two centuries of peasant history, experienced by ten generations of the same family who have lived there over the years.

As the largest animal park in the Rhône-Alpes region, the Peaugres Safari Park in Ardèche covers an area of 80 hectares and is home to more than 900 animals of nearly 130 different species, from every continent.

This fabulous site, open from mid-February to mid-November, composed of two parks, is explored following a trail by car and a trail on foot. Whether you are in your own vehicle on in an electric bus which is available in the summer, spend an hour meeting the animals of the African plains, the north American forests and the valleys of Asia. Then take a walk and explore the aquatic area, with its sea-lions and penguins, the Léonie farm, the monkey area, the hothouse with 1,000 hiding places for reptiles, frogs and insects, the educational play area Gitaki, devoted to local bio-diversity, or the Claws and Fangs (Griffes et Crocs) area, devoted to predators! A place to increase awareness of nature and the living world, to take children and adults on a real journey to the heart of animal life...

Nestled at the foot of Mount Mézenc, the highest peak in Haute-Loire, the small family resort of Les Estables is a haven of tranquility for winter sports: here, you can take the time to discover nature and experience the joys of snow sports and outdoor recreation, from Alpine skiing to Nordic skiing, through snowshoeing, sledging, snowkiting and dog sled rides!

In summer, it's time for hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking in the Mezenc massif, amid superb unspoilt landscapes and remarkable, protected flora and fauna.

Don't miss a chance to visit the Béate's House, in the hamlet of La Vacheresse. Within these old stone walls lived the Béate, a devoted woman who lived off the villagers' charity in exchange for teaching reading, writing and catechism. Open to visitors, this place full of memories takes you on a real journey back in time, where you will discover a small lace museum in addition to the Béate's home.

For lovers of gastronomy, Pays du Mézenc is also the land of Fin Gras, a finely marbled beef with a unique taste and a Protected Designation of Origin.

A former Huguenot capital in the 16th and 17th centuries, now Prefecture of the Ardèche and also a gateway town to the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, Privas is famous for its chestnut purée and candied chestnuts, which have earned it the label of "remarkable site of taste".

In the course of an amble through this quiet little town you can explore its squares, its shopping streets, and reminders of the past such as the Diane de Poitiers Tower from the 15th century, in the Renaissance style. There is plenty of heritage to be enjoyed along the historic trail, which is marked out with 24 information boards. Then take a break to have a drink on one of Privas' café terraces, before climbing to the Montoulon site, where three crosses stand along with a sculpted Pietà, and where you can delight in a superb view over the town's roofs and the Ardèche Mountains.

Another site to see, on the picturesque banks of the Ouvèze, is the remarkable Louis XIII bridge, which is a listed historic monument.

In the commune of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne, in the Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, on top of a rocky promontory, stand the remains of a beautiful medieval Castle, which was refurbished during the Renaissance. It is classed as an Historic Monument, dating from the 11th, 14th and 16th centuries, and has a remarkable Renaissance door decorated with twisted columns.