What to see and do in the Ardèche Gorges
Born in the Cévennes, the river Ardèche has carved out of the limestone one of the most beautiful canyons in France, world-famous thanks to the site of Vallon Pont d'Arc. Discover it by car, motorbike, foot, bike or canoe, all the way to the borders of the Gard department.
An exceptional natural site in the south of France
In the south of France, just two hours from Lyon, the Ardèche is a destination renowned for its spectacular gorges. This impressive canyon, almost 30 kilometres long, stretches from the Pont d'Arc at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. The 200-metre-high limestone cliffs form a unique backdrop to an area that has been a National Nature Reserve since 1980. Here's everything you need to know about visiting this extraordinary place.
Where to go in the Ardèche Gorges: The tourist route and its lookouts
Every summer, more than 1.5 million visitors take the Gorges tourist route, carved out of the cliffs in the 1970s. The 29-kilometre route links Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, and features eleven lookouts offering spectacular views of Europe's most beautiful canyon. Here are the most beautiful spots in the Gorges de l'Ardèche to discover:
- The Serre de Tourre lookout: the first observation point and one of the most spectacular views of the canyon, 200 m above the river. A must for photographers!
- The Autridge balcony: a bird's-eye view of the river and the 180-metre-high Autridge pillar.
- La Madeleine lookout: the most beautiful in the gorge, with views over the deepest part of the canyon and the Cathedral rock (on the left bank).
- Le belvédère des Templiers: an exceptional view of the Cirque de La Madeleine and the meandering river.
- The Maladrerie balcony: an unobstructed view of the medieval ruins of the Maladrerie des Templiers (an 11th-century monastery).
- The Ranc Pointu viewpoint: near Aiguèze, this marks the end of the Ardèche Gorges and reveals some fascinating geological formations: grooves, potholes, caves and other phenomena caused by erosion.
Where do the Ardèche Gorges start and which route should I choose?
The Ardèche Gorges can be travelled in either direction, but the most classic route is the one between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. To discover this scenic route, take the D290 from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. You can also start at Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche for a more leisurely approach downstream of the Gorges.
Important information Safety rules and good practice:
- Road traffic: The route des Gorges is narrow and very busy in summer with motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists. Cyclists should be particularly vigilant! And watch out for wild goats on the road!
- Parking: the lookouts are not picnic areas. Please park in the designated areas only, without encroaching on the road.
- Safety: never cross fences or demarcated areas, even to take a photo. Cliffs can be unstable and present a significant risk of falling.
- Supervising children: always hold children by the hand and make sure they don't go near the edge of the cliffs.
Activities not to be missed in the Gorges
The Pont d'Arc, the Chauvet cave and the La Madeleine cave
The Pont d'Arc is THE star of the Gorges! This natural arch, 60 metres high, is the gateway to the canyon. There's a lookout point where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the gorges.
Not far from here, you can also visit Grotte Chauvet 2, a replica of the oldest prehistoric cave in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guided tour lasts around an hour.
The La Madeleine cave, renowned for its astonishingly shaped concretions, is also well worth a visit. Located in Saint-Remèze, it isone of the most beautiful caves in France. The guided tour takes in 500 metres of galleries, a one-kilometre round trip.
Canoeing and kayaking
Canoeing is theflagship activity of the Ardèche Gorges. From April to September, the canyon and its river attract tourists from all over the world for kayak trips. Canoeing down the Gorges de l'Ardèche is accessible to all, with moderate rapids, calm zones and beaches for swimming. There are plenty of canoe hire points and the routes can be adapted to suit your tastes.
Two routes are particularly popular:
- 32 km: Starts at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, passing under the Pont d'Arc.
- 24 km: Starts from the hamlet of Châmes, just after the Pont d'Arc.
Did you know? Every year in November, the Gorges de l'Ardèche play host to the Marathon international des Gorges de l'Ardèche. This canoe-kayak race attracts amateur and professional participants from all over the world. The atmosphere is both sporting and festive, with entertainment throughout the day.
Hiking in the Ardèche Gorges
The hiking routes in the Ardèche Gorges offer half-day, full-day or two-day micro-adventures, with overnight bivouacs. A signposted path runs 24km from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. It is divided into two sections: the upstream part, between the Pont du Tiourre and the Bivouac de Gournier, and the downstream part, which passes through the Bivouac de Gournier as far as the beach at Sauze. The scent of the garrigue, the song of the cicadas and breathtaking panoramic views accompany hikers throughout their journey.
You'll need to be ingood physical conditionand be able to stand the effort. Plan an early start to avoid the summer heat. Other routes are also possible. Discover the 7 most beautiful walks suggested by the Gorges de l'Ardèche Tourist Office.
Swimming in the Ardèche Gorges
There are two bathing beaches in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, both supervised in summer and awarded the Blue Flag:
- Grain de Sel beach: sand and pebbles right in the heart of the village.
- Sauze beach: rocks and coves facing the Aiguèze cliff.
Camping in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
If you're planning a holiday in the Ardèche Gorges, you should be aware that unauthorised camping is prohibited inside the nature reserve. No accommodation, restaurants or shops are permitted in order to preserve this listed natural site.
Located 30 minutes from the Gorges, Camping La Digue in Ruoms offers spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as mobile homes for hire on the river bank. It's the ideal place to visit the Gorges de l'Ardèche while enjoying comfortable accommodation in the heart of nature.
