Indulge yourself to discover the Ardèche region of France and its scenic gorges, winding rivers, and quaint medieval stone villages.

Where is Ardèche?

Ardèche is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France and is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Ardèche Gorges, the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Natural Park, and the picturesque villages scattered throughout the area.

I spent five days there in late May 2023 and have a list of the highlights to discover in this beautiful southeastern part of France. Read further to learn about what I consider the highlights of the Ardèche!

Pont d’Arc

The Pont d’Arc was at the top of my list of things to see when visiting the Ardèche region. This structure is a natural stone arch situated near the town of Vallon Pont d’Arc, at the entrance of the Ardèche Gorges.

You can easily reach the arch, which is visible from a small sandy beach on the Ardèche River. Off the main road is a large parking lot (payable) and a five-minute walk on the footpath down to the riverbank.

The Pont d’Arc and limestone cliffs were formed through erosion over time, due to the powerful flow of the Ardèche River. This impressive rock formation spans 60 meters (197 feet) and stands at a height of 54 meters (177 feet).

We chose to spend a few minutes looking at the arch and watching the people come down the river on canoes and kayaks. It seemed that many locals were coming to spend the day at the beach.

Belvédère des Templiers

The Ardèche Gorges are a must-see attraction, featuring a spectacular canyon carved by the Ardèche River. We drove all along the gorge road with many lookout stops, but we were especially interested in seeing the horseshoe-shaped river and gorge called the Belvédère des Templiers.

Enjoy the belvédère with its breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. From this vantage point, you can appreciate sweeping vistas of the Ardèche Valley, the rolling hills, and the Monts d’Ardèche mountain range.

Drive through the Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges. The road is 42 km long and you can make frequent stops between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and Saint-Just-d’Ardèche. The Gorges are locally known as the “European Grand Canyon”.

Medieval Villages of Character

The “Villages of Character” in the Ardèche region of France are a selection of picturesque and historically significant villages known for their unique charm and preserved heritage. There are approximately 16 officially recognized villages that fall into this elite group.

Vogüé

Vogüé is where we stayed for four nights in the Ardèche region. I found a nice AirBnB apartment that was within walking distance of the town. After each day of sightseeing, we would come back to the apartment and walk to town for dinner.

Vogüé is one of the popular medieval villages listed among France’s “most beautiful villages.” The village is perched on cliffs overlooking the Ardèche River and is known for its picturesque setting and well-preserved medieval architecture.

Labeaume

This village of character on the edge of Labeaume River is surrounded by cliffs that were once home to troglodyte caves. The troglodyte dwellings in Labeaume date back to the prehistoric era. The caves were utilized as shelters by early civilizations and later transformed into habitable spaces.

We strolled through the maze of narrow cobblestone streets, almost getting lost a few times. The advantage of visiting these old villages in warm weather is that it offers a cool stroll among the stone buildings.

We walked down to the river to let our pup cool off in the water. We then had a refreshing drink at one of the riverside terraces.

Balazuc

We reached the medieval village of Balazuc on foot one day. We set out to do a challenging hike from our place in Vogüé. The trip was very interesting with the first part along the “Voie Verte” and the second half through a thick forest.

The “Voie Verte” is a term used in France to refer to greenways or dedicated cycling and walking paths. It translates to “green way” or “green route.” The path that we walked on was a converted railway line. We saw many people on bikes enjoying this flat and scenic path that stretches for more than 30 kilometers.

Balazuc’s medieval stone houses, narrow streets, and ancient castle create a unique atmosphere. The village overlooks the river, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

Largentière

Largentière has a rich history that dates back to Roman times. The town’s name comes from the Latin “Argentaria,” which means “silver mine.” It was once a significant mining center for silver and lead.

We stopped here for a look around and then had lunch at one of the local restaurants. The highlight of Largentière is the Château de Largentière, a medieval fortress that overlooks the town and was built in the 12th century. It is now privately owned and not open to the public, but its presence adds to the town’s allure and provides a stunning backdrop for photographs.

Vinezac

We stopped off at a very small village called Vinezac. It was on our way to Aubenas, so we took a quick tour by foot. The town is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes with rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. It reminded me a lot of the Tuscany region of Italy.

Aubenas

The last village we visited during our five-day visit to Ardèche was a larger town sitting up on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Château d’Aubenas is a prominent landmark in the town and now houses the municipal museum with a collection of art and historical artifacts.

The Saint-Laurent Church dates back to the 12th century and features a bell tower and intricate stone carvings.

Summary

I hope this article has helped you to DISCOVER THE ARDECHE REGION OF FRANCE! I can’t believe it took me 30 years to get around to visiting this area. Now that I have, I highly recommend it. The one thing I regret not doing was a canoe trip down the river. We tried to arrange it, even with our small dog, but it didn’t work out for us. That leaves something to do on our next visit!

Let me plan your exciting trip to discover the Ardeche region!

If you are looking for assistance to plan your next trip, I am here for YOU! I love to plan travel itineraries for myself and others. For more details on how I provide this service, please check out my Itinerary Planning page and drop me a quick email at jan@janadventures.com to get started!