Vacations in Ardèche
What to do in the Ardèche Where to go in the Ardèche? Have you booked your vacation in the Ardèche at our Aluna Vacances campsite in Ruoms, or have you decided to visit the department? Discover the must-sees for your stay in the Ardèche. The Ardèche is one of the must-visit destinations in south-east France, and for good reason: valleys, gorges, caves, woods, dazzling colors in a grandiose natural setting, an authentic land with an unrivalled history.
Good reasons to choose the Ardèche for your vacations
Amazing nature
A rural territory between Auvergne and Provence, it boasts a wide range of landscapes and climates, alternating between forests, mountains, meadows, volcanoes, lava domes, caves, lakes and rivers.
The region is a delight for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a vast choice of emblematic natural sites. It boasts such remarkable sites as the Gorges de l’Ardèche, Mont Gerbier des Joncs, the Reconstitution of the Grotte Chauvet (Chauvet 2 – Ardèche) and the Ray Pic waterfall.
Unique experiences
At the crossroads of several natural environments, the Ardèche boasts a mosaic of extraordinary landscapes. This makes it an ideal playground for outdoor activities: swimming, climbing, accrobranche, via ferrata, mountain biking, canoeing…
Nature lovers will feel right at home here, thanks to the diversity of fauna and rich flora to be found in the local nature reserves and parks. Then there’s walking, picnicking and relaxing on the natural beaches. If you’re here for cultural discovery, you’ll be delighted by the rich heritage of the Ardèche. Visits to monuments, discoveries of local gastronomy, meetings with local craftsmen, strolls through traditional markets… During your stay at the campsite, you won’t have time to get bored.
Medieval villages
The département is renowned for its rich historical and cultural heritage, with many emblematic towns and monuments that trace the history of the region and sometimes the country: feudal castles, dungeons, churches and medieval villages.
Vogüé, one of France’s most beautiful villages, boasts a 12th-century château and houses that form a sort of amphitheatre on the river’s edge. Balazuc, a village perched high above the rocks, has been inhabited by man since prehistoric times. Rochecolombe, the village of medieval buildings balanced on a hill. Alba-la-Romaine takes its name from its 2,000-year-old past, and still preserves the vestiges of its history (ancient Roman theater and 13th-century fortifications).
Where to go in the Ardèche?
Southern Ardèche
Southern Ardèche is simply the ideal starting point for discovering the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the Cévennes and the Rhône Valley. Indeed, the southern Ardèche is a dream destination for outdoor family vacations, with a range of activities for young and old alike. The Aluna Vacances campsite is one of them, guaranteeing you an authentic stay in the heart of nature.
Southern Ardèche boasts a Provencal climate and an unrivalled historical and architectural heritage.
With this map of the Ardèche, you can also discover this gastronomic and wine-growing region with its sensational outdoor activities.
Rural and medieval villages such as Joyeuse, Saint-Maurice-d’Ardèche, Saint-Félicien, Les Vans, Saint-Remèze, Grospierres, Lalouvesc, Villeneuve-de-Berg, Berrias-et-Casteljau and Vallon Pont d’ Arc are well worth a visit. Take the opportunity to swim in the Ubie valley, or go canoeing or rafting in the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Discover the underground caves of Chauvet and Pont d’Arc.
The southern Ardèche region offers a wealth of activities and trails between heaven and earth, including rock climbing, mountain biking, treetop adventure and Via Ferrata…
Central Ardèche or Heart of Ardèche
The Ardèche has a wild and rugged character, and although it can be a relatively small region of France. On this map of the Ardèche, you’ll see that its climbing and winding roads lead to a hinterland isolated from the central Ardèche, which makes it enormous.
The heart of the Ardèche is home to a mix of natural and historical attractions. There’s so much to do in the heart of the Ardèche, from getting active in beautiful protected nature reserves to discovering the traditions and heritage of the region and each village. Discover villages of exceptional character that have been warming their old stones under the southern sun for generations. Among these villages, don’t miss Barjac, Casteljau, Auriolles…
Bravely clinging to the mountainside among chestnut, heather and olive trees, or hidden deep in the valleys, authentic old villages invite you to share their traditions and enjoy their art of living. These villages offer you a warm welcome!
You’ve got all sorts of reasons to visit Ardèche, our Ardèche map tells you all about it. Drop by in early autumn when the tourists are almost gone but the sun is still warm. One of the best reasons to come is the Réserve Naturelle des Gorges de l’Ardèche and its surroundings.
The Ardèche mountains
The Ardèche is quite simply a hiker’s paradise. Whether on foot, bike or mountain bike, you’ll never tire of the varied landscapes featured on our map of the Ardèche.
From the Rhône valley to the Ardèche mountains, from the Boutières in the north to the Cévennes, you can explore the Natural Park in search of medieval fortress ruins perched on basalt lava cliffs or picturesque hidden villages nestling in the valleys. From secret corners to breathtaking scenery, get ready for a true exploration of nature at its best!
With its wild, craggy mountains and picturesque historic villages clinging to terraced hills, the Ardèche mountains are the ideal place for an independent walking vacation if you’re looking to get off the beaten track. A hike in the Ardèche mountains and along the shores of mountain lakes, where you can sample local specialities.
Thanks to our map of the Ardèche, in the north-west of the region, you’ll find the Ardèche plateau, a remote area off the beaten track, with an average altitude of 1100m. This high-altitude crystalline plateau is punctuated by more recent volcanic activity, forming a landscape of domes known as Sucs, of which Mont Mézenc at 1754m is the highest. At this point, you’re on the border between Haute-Loire and Auvergne. In and around the Ardèche mountains, you’ll discover some impressive volcanic features, one of the most famous being the perfectly circular Issarlès lake.
