The central area of Ardeche is more likely to attract tourists who enjoy the great outdoors than those who are interested in fine dining and lively nightclubs. A mainly rural and mountainous region, it is popular with visitors in the summer months, thanks to the Ardeche mountains, and the hiking routes and pretty villages that can be found amongst their peaks.
The Ardeche mountains are much lower than their neighbours, the Alps. Easier to climb, you can happily take children on hikes through this area without worrying about them ending up needing to do some rock climbing en route! This doesn't mean that you don't get still some spectacular views at the end of your climbs, with most hiking routes ending at one peak or another before you start your descent. The area is not just known for its hiking routes; there are mountain biking trails and even equestrian centres in the valleys, providing an alternative way to get around and explore the Ardeche. One of the most popular outdoor pursuits in this part of France is canoeing or kayaking down one of the many rivers that flow through the mountains and the surrounding countryside. Official centres will lend you equipment and give you advice on the best stretches of river to tackle, depending on your experience, with many even giving you a lift to the starting point so you can paddle back to base and your car.
The route between Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche and the spectacular natural arch over the river, Vallon Pont D'Arc, is one that is well travelled by tourists. The 30 kilometre stretch of road winds its way along the top of the Ardeche gorges, sometimes as high as 300 metres above the river below. There are plenty of places to pull over and take your photos. Just north of the gorges is one of the area's more intriguing tourist attractions, the largest volcanic neck in Europe! Looking more like a giant lump of rock, the neck at Sceautres was actually formed hundreds of thousands of years ago when lava from an eruption suddenly cooled. You can even climb to the top; a unique experience for hikers and climbers.
The mountains are not just about nature and extreme sports, however. Dotted throughout the peaks there are several pretty mountain villages, many now enjoying a second lease of life thanks to increased tourism in the area. Balazuc is one of the most impressive of these, with its twisting streets and ramshackle buildings seeming to balance on the egde of a high cliff in the Ardeche gorges.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Ardeche? Then below is a selection of gites in Ardeche and villas in Ardeche that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
