The "Gorges de l'Ardèche "

It all started several millions of years ago. The spirited river Ardèche cut tirelessly through the limestone, opening an immense gorge, a veritable canyon. The pause in this masterpiece, the famous natural arch of the Pont d'Arc, some 66 meters high, is a triumphal entrance to the gorges classed a Natural Reserve since 1980. A geological perfection that already our ancestors in the Palaeolithic age had admired. The Chauvet cave is a stone's throw away. From springtime on, it's the setting off point for multicoloured canoes or a more peaceful walk. A 35 km itinerary to breathe in the fragrance of the oaks, to look out for the beavers or the Bonelli eagle.

The Wood of Païolive

Near "LES VANS" in the heart of "Cévenne Ardéchoise", the wood of Païolive is a surprising forest of petrified cliffs and white oaks. The wood of Païolive extends over 16 kilometres. It forms a set of labyrinths shaped by the erosion which dug immense faults in the terrain.

This mineral and plant chaos gave birth to restless forms of real natural sculptures.

Ardèche Villages

In Ardèche, the stones, golden or blueish, recount history and times past. Alba la Romaine, dressed in black and white, its façades a checkerboard of basalt and limestone, has a heart that beats to the rhythm of two thousand years of history.

A bit further south, perched on a hilltop, clinging valiantly to its mountain, there's Balazuc. This village with its southern atmosphre, is all cut stone and labyrinths of lanes.

A few kilometres from there, nestled in the hollow of a valley, the village of Labeaume lies in the sun in an arid, magical site, almost lunar. Surrounded on all sides by cliffs, by ruiniform rock in tormented shapes, it displays like an amphitheatre its labyrinth of small passages and narrow streets lined with shingle houses or beautiful, arcaded residences.

Further north, in the foothills of Cévennes, stones tinted with white and ochre glimmer in the southern sun which inundates with light the green vineyards encasing the village of Vinezac, sitting there like a picture postcard.

Like them, forty villages have decided to spruce up their heritage while making it accessible to all. Thirteen of them have grouped together around a charter of quality, to better welcome you and share with you their traditions.

A brochure is at your disposal at the Comité Départemental du Tourisme (tourist office).

These villages are: Ailhon, Alba la Romaine, Antraigues, Balazuc, Banne, Beauchastel, Chalencon, Labeaume, Meyras (www.meyras-tourisme.com), Naves, St Montan, Vinezac and Vogüé.

These villages are within a very short drive from the campsite.

The Mountain Gerbier-de-Jonc

The mountain Gerbier-de-jonc is situated on the tray ardéchois is a series of phonolitiques cliffs 1551 metres high.
Half an hour of walking will enable you to reach its summit to appreciate an exceptional view of the surrounding area.
The Loire River takes its source from the mountain Gerbier-de-jonc. It is approximately 90 km from the campsite.

The Waterfall of Ray-Pic

Site was classified in 1931, the waterfall of Ray-Pic is 60 metres high in the middle of basalt columns.

The waterfall of the Ray Pic is situated on D 215 between Burzet and Lachamp Raphaël and is approximately 90 km from our campsite.

Safari de Peaugres :
This is a safari park with more than 800 animals, on over 200 acres. It is open all year except 25th December.

Musee des Papeteries : www.canson.fr
This is a paper mill museum. It is in the heart of the former Royal Mills, and still part of the Company today. It is the only museum in the world with a life size “animated” paper-making machine.

Musee de l’alambic : www.jeangauthier.com
Discover the world of itinerant distillers with their famous “special distilling rights” going from village to village to make alcohol. Twenty different scenes in a 15000 square feet display. It is open all year and takes about an hour to view.

Chemin de fer du Vivarais : www.ardeche-train.com
The Vivarais Railway is a tourist steam train « le Mastrou », and takes you through the Doux Gorges. It is open April to October.

Ardelaine : www.ardelaine.fr
This is a living museum of sheep and wool. It is open every afternoon; but closed in January.

Aven d’Orgnac : www.orgnac.com
This is a cave and regional museum of prehistoric history. Proposed as one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites, this setting holds its own amongst the greatest grotto’s in the world. It is open every day from February to mid November.

Site de Cruas
This is an elegant restored 11^th century Romanesque abbey church, historic and medieval village. It is open from Easter to end September.

Maison Champanhet : www.vals-les-bains.com
Discover a land, a people, a history of knowledge in the heart of Southern Ardeche in a 400 square metre museum. It is open from mid March to Mid October.

Filature du Moulinet : www.chez.com/aumoulinet
The Moulinet Spinning Mill silk-working Museum. Take this guided visit and see how silk was spun and thrown in these 19^th century work rooms. There are genuine restored silk throwers on display, plus documents and video films explaining how silkworms were raised. It is open from Easter to All Saints Day in November.

Train Touristique Viaduc 07
This is a 14 km journey aboard a railcar from the fifties. Open May to September.

Musee de la Chataigneraie
This is a chestnut museum, and describes the history of sweet chestnuts and the culture of the “bread tree”. It is open March to November.

Vinimage : www.vinimage.tm.fr
This museum describes the Ardèche wines via videos and interactive activities to enjoy the Ardèche region. It is open April to September.

Mas de la Vignasse
Discover Alphonse Daudet and the rural life of 19^th century Ardèche  : bakery, smithy, silkworm farm, manuscripts, portraits. It is open from April to September.

Grotte Chauvet
This cave discovers the Cro-Magnon Man and the oldest prehistoric painting. It is open from March to November.

Ma Magnanerie
Discover our 19^th and 20^th century traditional silk culture in an authentic silk farm. Raising silkworms from eggs to butterflies. Open April to September.

Chateau des Roure : www.chateaudesroure.com
A castle museum built in the 15^th century, and describes the complete life cycle of silkworm breeding, from live eggs to moths. The silk museum describes the different phases of processing the silk. It is open April to September.

Musee vivant du Cochon : www.lemuseevivantducochon.com
This is an animal park of rare domestic breeds, a farm and a museum. It is open from April to September.

Aven Grotte de la Forestiere : www.laforestiere.net
This cave is open from April to September.

Musee de la Lavande Distillerie : www.ardechelavandes.com
Lavender Museum and Distillery. Take this superb voyage to a land rich in colours and scents and covered in fields of lavender. It is open April to September.

Le site de l’Aven Marzal :
A magnificent cave, an underground museum, a prehistoric zoo with dinosaurs. It is open April to October.

Grotte de la Madeleine : www.grottemadeleine.com
The Madeleine site includes a viewpoint, and one of the most beautiful caves in France. It is open April to October.

Grottes de St-Marcel d’Ardeche
On the Ardeche Gorges tourist circuit, an underground marvel with vast halls, beautiful chalk stones, extensive deep cave pools unique in Europe; with new superb light and sound effects. Open mid March to mid November.

L’Arche des Metiers : www.arche-des-metiers.com
A unique journey to the very heart of the industries that make the value of the area of Le Cheylard and of Ardeche. Open from February to December.