TheArdeche, here is a small and lively country! Among its exceptional sites, the gorges of the Ardèche with the Pont d'Arc and the cave of Chauvet-Pont d'Arc. Among its flavors, the chestnut, the blueberry and their variations, the picodon and the mountain pork-butchery without forgetting some specialities which delight the gourmets. Among its heritage attractions and its must-sees: the Romanesque churches, the Palace of the Bishops of Bourg-Saint-Andéol, Alba-la-Romaine, the castle-museum of Tournon-sur-Rhône, the safari of Peaugres, the Mount Gerbier-de-Jonc or its villages of character. But it is while walking on the paths lined with low dry stone walls, under the chestnut trees or on the airy ridges, visiting the farm producers, stopping in a local bistro that one really appreciates the Ardèche, absolutely superb in autumn.
The Ardèche, a thousand year old history
35 000 years ago, well sheltered in caves, man was already drawing the highlights of his daily life. These testimonies form the mysterious weft of a history frozen forever in the rock. The Ardèche has two of these treasures: the site of Soyons and the Chauvet cave. After the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and the numerous invasions of different peoples from all over Europe, the Romans arrived. They built roads (the ones we know mostly follow this ancient route), transported water to facilitate irrigation and supply the cities. They also set up mills on the Rhône to grind the grain brought by barge on the river. From the first half of the 1st century BC, the Ardèche also preserves numerous traces. The most important is the city of Alba la Romaine and its 30 hectares of Gallo-Roman remains dating from the 1st to the 4thcentury AD. Theater of more than 3 000 places, paved roads where we can still distinguish the trace of the wheels of the chariots, sanctuary and forum, the imprint of the men is everywhere.
A famous canyon and the Pont d'Arc
The Ardèche is a fiery river that tirelessly cuts through the limestone, opening up a veritable canyon. The highlight of this masterpiece is the famous natural arch of the Pont d'Arc, a triumphant entrance to the gorges, which are classified as a nature reserve. As soon as spring arrives, it is the starting point for the multicolored canoes that set out to discover the joys of the river during a 7 km trip down the river, or even better, in two days with a bivouac in the heart of the nature reserve. Numerous hikes are possible for a more peaceful stroll including, for the most courageous, a 35 km itinerary to smell the scent of the oaks, watch for the beaver or Bonelli's eagle. The Chauvet cave is just a few steps away.
The Chauvet cave, a prehistoric jewel
The Chauvet cave, decorated with remarkably well preserved prehistoric paintings, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. If it is forbidden to the public, it offers with its reconstitution, an exceptional space of discovery. Its replica, called the Cave, is completed by a museum - the Gallery of the Aurignacian. Located in the heart of a wild plateau, this multi-faceted site invites you to immerse yourself in the underground world of our prehistoric ancestors, their artistic techniques, their hunting techniques, their relationship with wildlife, their mysticism... A permanent exhibition, an educational center, a temporary exhibition space, a store and a restaurant complete the site.
Orgnac, a cave with impressive dimensions
Not far away, among the masterpieces of nature: the Orgnac pot hole. Simply great. Classified as a "Grand Site de France", Orgnac is surely the most beautiful visit that one can make in Ardèche. A visit which leads to the heart of the earth - be careful, there are about 700 steps to go down, an elevator brings us up, the temperature oscillates between 11 °C and 13 °C and the humidity rate is close to 100%! - in three rooms all more superb the ones than the others. In the company of a guide, we discover the stalagmites and stalactites with strange forms which shaped a true petrified forest during thousands of years. Plate stacks, pine cones, giant palm trees, imaginary frogs or human profiles, the cave is full of mysteries... The most adventurous will continue the visit during speleological tours - the longest one proposes an 8 hours trip - to discover other rooms.
And other curiosities..
In the north of the Ardèche, the Peaugres safari is one of the most visited sites in the Rhône-Alpes region. An immense domain of greenery and life which delights the small and the large human beings and even the tenants of the animal gentry! This safari, located in the north of the Ardèche, invites you to immerse yourself in a wilderness at the beginning of the world where wild animals are the kings. A space of protection and pedagogy. Rare and protected species, biodiversity, games and pedagogy, this animal park offers you to discover the animal life and to rediscover the natural instincts. It opens to you on foot, by bus and by car, for a moment of exotic escape on 80 hectares and four continents, from Madagascar to the poles, you will meet the most unusual species, including many unfortunately threatened with extinction. You can even pet the farm animals. At the Safari de Peaugres, 900 animals belonging to 120 different species live together: from giraffes to wild animals, including lions, bears, or simple pandas. This animal park aims to transmit to children the secrets of nature in a playful way. The structure is also committed to raising awareness among children and adults about the threats to biodiversity and participates in numerous programs to save certain species.
In the south of the department, the Païolive wood is one of the strangest curiosities of the Ardèche. On 16 km², an incredible labyrinth of green or white oaks, arbutus trees but especially petrified rocks cut by the wind, the rain and the sun forming unexpected natural sculptures.
A gastronomy of choice in Ardeche
Between two visits of tourist sites, another discovery is necessary: that of local products and specialities. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs, melons, chestnuts, for the fruits, tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplants, garlic, peppers for the vegetables and of course the olive emblematic of the south of the department. Meat and fish are still found in a multitude of local specialties. Truffles, salt and aromatic herbs add flavor to the dishes. To discover and taste all these products, you just have to browse the regional markets or enjoy yourself in small village restaurants or farm inns.
Want to explore the Ardèche in more depth? We recommend our Top 18 of the most beautiful villages of the Ardèche !
Useful information
When to visit? All year round, because you can ski in winter and practice many summer activities. On the other hand, beware of the mistral wind which is icy. When there is a break, temperatures can rise very quickly, as there is a lot of sunshine. The autumn in the Ardèche is really very pleasant and very popular.
How to get there. By car (A7 freeway), by train (TGV stations in Valence, Montélimar or Avignon) or by plane, everything is possible.
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