 
The "Gorges de l'Ardèche "
It
all started sevral 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 Paleolithic age had admired. The Chauvet cave is
a stone's throw away. From springtime on, it's the
setting off point for multicolored canoes or a more
peaceful walk. A 35 km itinerary to breath in the
fragrance of the oaks, to look out for the beavers
or the Bonelli eagle. Even more original...
the boatmen of the Ardèche can take you down the
gorges in blat-bottomed boats. They carry up to six
people from ages 7 to 77.
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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.
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Ardeche
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
kilometers 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
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The Montain Gerbier-de-Jonc
The mountain Gerbier-de-jonc
is situated on the tray ardéchois is a series of cliffs 1551 metres high phonolitiques.
Half an hour of walking will enable you to reach its summit to
apprecieate an exceptional view of the surrounding
area.
The Loire Rive takes its source from the
mountain Gerbier-de-jonc, and is approximately 90 km
from the campsite. |
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 The Waterfall of Ray-Pic
Site was classified since 1931, the waterfall of Ray-Pic appears as high as 60 metres in the middle of basalt columns.
The river Bourges springs in full flowed volcanic to pass by then on the plan of a 35000-year-old stream of larvas.
The waterfall of the Ray Pic is situated on D 215 between Burzet and Lachamp Raphaël, in approximately 90 km of our campsite.
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Safari de Peaugres : www.safari-peaugres.com
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 village and medieval. 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 : www.viaduc07.com
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 19th 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 15th 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 : www.aven-marzal.fr
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.
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