The very typical and touristy department of the Ardèche borders the Rhône valley and looks across the river to the department of the Drôme. The Ardèche borders the Loire, Lozère, Haute-Loire and Gard. This very mineral territory takes its name from the river which marks its landscape and whose gorges, stronghold of canoeing, are world famous, or almost. The reasons to be amazed are multiple and varied. What jumps out first of all is the beauty of the landscapes, the "sucs", the gorges, the massifs, the valleys, the terraced cultures, the dry stone walls along the fields and the hiking trails, the preserved villages on their promontory... This territory shelters the regional natural park of the Monts d'Ardèche and treasures such as the Pont d'Arc, a natural vault which spans the river, the decorated cave of the Pont d'Arc, a reconstitution of the Chauvet cave, the cave of Aven d'Orgnac and its museum of prehistory, Alba-la-Romaine and its archeological site, without forgetting the safari of Peaugres or the enchanting wood of Païolive
The Ardèche is also a gourmet country where one takes the time to eat and drink, one of the pleasures of the destination. Under the label "Goûter l'Ardèche" (taste the Ardèche), look for the restaurants of the "Toqués de l'Ardèche", the country bistros and other tables where local products are highlighted, the chestnut, the lamb, the fine fattened beef of the Mézenc, the potato of Borée, the mountain pork-butchery, the wild mushrooms, the wines and the fruit juices of the country, among other authentic flavors.
When to go ? The high tourist season in the Ardèche is the summer, when canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts flock to the river's white waters. Several sporting events such as hiking, mountain biking, trail running and canoeing punctuate the Ardèche summer. There are also festivals and village celebrations. In July, there is the Circus festival in Alba-la-Romaine, in August, the wine growers make us discover their vintages, in September, there is humor in Tournon-sur-Rhône, in October, we celebrate the chestnut, during the Castagnades... And all year long, you can fill your basket at the goat cheese, honey and other delicacies producers' markets. The picturesque roads attract bikers and motorists who have time to enjoy the landscape. However, one should avoid winter when snow and ice make driving in the mountains a bit dangerous. School vacations are the best time to come with the children, because the Ardèche is an ideal family destination, swimming in summer, visiting museums on prehistory, discovering caves, thematic hikes. Beware, many facilities close in winter. Similarly, many restaurants and hotels are only open in the summer. The Ardèche is emptying out, the die-hards remain, which is not without charm!
In summer, the Ardèche offers sunshine and brightness. The climate is temperate but known to be harsh, especially in the mountains. The summer can be torrid in the valley bottoms, particularly in the south of the department. It is generally dry, with a little more humidity on the Cevennes side. Fortunately, the mountains remain cool, even at the height of the heat wave. In the off-seasons, violent storms can occur. In winter, at high altitudes, we fear the Burle, a violent and icy wind that blows the snow into snowdrifts.
