Close to our Ardèche campsite, Vallon Pont d'Arc is the natural gateway to the Gorges de l'Ardèche, famous for its monumental natural mineral arch. An exceptional site to discover all year round !
The Pont d'Arc arch, a postcard of the Ardèche
This summer, discover Vallon Pont d'Arc and its impressive rock arch, just 15 km from the 4-star La Digue campsite. This is the most popular natural site in the Ardèche Gorges, with almost 2 million visitors a year.
Located 5 km from the village of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, this monumental stone arch, carved out by the River Ardèche five million years ago, is a geological curiosity that is unique in the world: the Pont d'Arc spans the river at a height of 54 metres! This mineral bridge, which ‘opens up’ the Ardèche gorges, was for a long time the only pedestrian crossing over the river. Today, it is the only stone arch in France to overlook an active river.
Canoeing down the Ardèche Gorges at Vallon Pont d'Arc
Set off on an adventure at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and discover one of the region's most emblematic activities: canoeing down the Ardèche Gorges as far as Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. Whatever your level, there are several routes to choose from: 5 km, 8 km, 12 km and 24 km, including a passage under the famous Pont d'Arc and the crossing of small rapids.
- Base nautique du Pont d'Arc: 168, route des Gorges, 07150 Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. From Easter to the end of September.
More info at www.canoe-ardeche.com - Also worth reading: Discover our canoeing circuits in the Ardèche.
Swimming at the Pont d'Arc: equipped beaches
The Pont d'Arc natural site has two superb sandy beaches, upstream (south side) and downstream (north side). Swimming is supervised from 1 July to 31 August. In terms of temperature, the water in the Ardèche reaches a pleasant 25°C at the height of summer! Please note: dogs are not allowed on these beaches.
Grotte Chauvet 2 (Caverne du Pont d'Arc)
Just 20 minutes from Pont d'Arc, discover the replica of the Grotte Chauvet, the original of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's the largest reconstruction of a prehistoric cave in the world! You can discover over 400 exceptional cave paintings and frescoes, twice as old as those in the Lascaux cave. Make sure you bring a little wool to visit the cave, as the temperature is around 12°C.
The arts and crafts village of Vallon Pont d'Arc
The pedestrian-only village of Vallon Pont d'Arc is packed with shops, restaurants and souvenir boutiques. The Village des artisans d'art, located beneath the town hall, showcases local creations: jewellery, watercolours, ceramics, leather goods... It's a great way to discover the expertise of the Sud Ardèche.
Every Tuesday in summer, crowds flock to the stalls of the Vallon Pont d'Arc night market to stock up on local produce.
Did you know? The Château-Mairie in Vallon Pont d'Arc houses a fine collection of Aubusson tapestries (18th century). Visits are possible during the opening hours of the town hall and at weekends by prior arrangement.
Book your campsite in Vallon Pont d'Arc
Just a 20-minute drive from Pont-d'Arc (15 km), Camping La Digue **** invites you to enjoy a comfortable stay in the heart of the Ardèche. Ideally situated on the banks of the river, our family campsite near Vallon Pont d'Arc offers spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as modern, fully-equipped mobile homes. This exceptional setting is an ideal base for visiting the Ardèche and recharging your batteries close to nature, while enjoying the comfort and 4-star services of our Ardèche campsite.
