The charming Ardeche village of Mirabel is a popular stop for those who love the picturesque, with its cobbled streets, stone houses and vaulted passageways. At the top of this ancient fortress, on the basaltic cliff, stands a square tower of rubble of black basalt and links with white limestone, a vestige of the medieval fortifications that once stood in these places. From there, superb view of the Coiron plateau, the Auzon valley and the Bas Vivarais !

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.

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.

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...

At the heart of the hilltop old town of Aubenas rises the castle of Montlaur, a jewel of civil architecture Ardèche classified historical monument, inhabited from the twelfth century to the Revolution by six successive seigniorial families. Covered with glazed tiles, flanked by a turreted dungeon and two round pepper mill towers, pierced with mullioned windows and equipped with a Renaissance courtyard, Aubenas Castle also has the distinction of housing a rich collection of paintings., sculptures and engravings.

Opposite the castle stands the house Delichères Gothic architecture, a rich house of the fifteenth century adorned with gargoyles. Among the city's heritage stands also the dome of Saint Benedict, former chapel of a Benedictine convent of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, which today contains religious objects of art as well as the marble mausoleum of Marshal and the Marshal d'Ornano.

Direction then belvedere and the orientation table of the Place de l'Airette, from where one enjoys a superb panorama on the valley of the Ardèche !

Every Saturday morning, on the Place du Château, is a market of local products full of colors and flavors.

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.

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.

From its high position on a basalt ridge, overlooking the Rhône Valley and the village of Rochemaure, this 12th- century fortress has retained features from its medieval past such as a Romanesque keep, the remains of a stately home, as well as crenellated ramparts that go all the way down the hill. You must be sure to take a stroll around the restored Fare quarter, beside the castle, where there are picturesque stone houses .Below stands the outline of the 13th-century Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels (Notre-Dame-des-Anges), in the Provençal Gothic style.

In July and August, a sound and light show highlights the heritage of fortified Rochemaure.

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!

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.

Located south of Valence, Montélimar is a welcoming city in Provençale Drôme. A legendary stop on the Route Nationale 7 road, the city is famed for its nougat and is the uncontested capital of this sweet treat.

Steeped in history, Montélimar possesses some beautiful built heritage represented by its flagship monument: the Adhémar Castle. Built on top of a hill, it overlooks the city and offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Once a medieval palace, its Southern Romanesque architecture dates back to the 12th century. Some fine reminders of its past still stand today, like a fortified enclosure with a wall walk on top, a seigniorial lodge, a chapel and a keep. At the end of the 16th century, it became a bastioned citadel then a prison until 1926. Today, it is a contemporary art centre that hosts temporary exhibitions. At the foot of the castle is a park where you can make the most of its splendour and take a pleasant stroll.

Continue your tour of Montélimar with a leisurely walk along the pedestrian streets in its historic centre filled with shops. There are still a number of old mansions to see, like the Renaissance-style house of Diane de Poitiers, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. There's also the 17th-century Hôtel du Puy-Montbrun and the 18th-century Hôtel de Chabrillan. The St. Martin Gate, made of stone, is one of the last remnants of the ramparts. Rebuilt in the 18th century, the Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross (Sainte-Croix) still has its bell tower and choir from the 16th century. Around the church, enjoy the streets of shops and town squares with terraces where you can soak up the city's lively atmosphere!

Another famous spot in Montélimar is the Allées Provençales, avenues planted with plane trees and dotted with cafés next to a pleasant park. Popular with children, this huge park with century-old trees has a small farm, a large duck pond, a playground and a merry-go-round.

Culture enthusiasts mustn't miss the Saint-Martin Museum of Contemporary Art, which hosts a temporary exhibition every summer featuring big names in contemporary art.

Your trip to Montélimar will also be a trip back to your childhood days. Start with the Palace of Sweets and Nougat, a fun interactive space for children and grown-ups. Then head to the Museum of Miniatures. Based in an old chapel, this attraction devoted to the art of miniature-making has a very fine collection of dolls' houses. And of course, don't forget to stop by one of the city's many nougat shops!

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.

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.

Between Rhône and Cévennes, along the Roman road of antiquity, the Romanesque abbey church of St Mary of Cruas, listed as an Historic Monument by Prosper Mérimée, is worth going out of your way to see, for more than one reason! Its magnificent monastic rostrum, with fifteen columns which have delicately worked capitals, its old Byzantine-style mosaic dated 1098 which decorates the apse, and its 11th-century crypt which houses a fabulous medieval bestiary, are all to be appreciated in the course of a guided tour...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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...

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

At 1,000 metres in altitude, in the commune of Le Lac-d'Issarlès in Upper Ardèche, bordered by the Lozère and the Haute-Loire, tucked away in an old volcanic crater is a round turquoise-blue expanse of water, covering 80 hectares. Benefitting from favoured natural surroundings of verdant hills, Issarlès Lake is particularly good for relaxation and water sports. Bathing (supervised in July and August), lounging around on the beach, picnics with family and friends, trout or char fishing, paddle boats, canoeing and windsurfing are all on offer here. A pleasant footpath through the undergrowth gives ramblers the chance to go around the lake in about an hour.

To have a lovely view of the whole of the lake, take the path to the Col du Gage belvedere, situated high up, 1.5 kilometres to the south-east of the village.