You have often heard of the Ardèche gorges , or you may already know. The beauty of the place is breathtaking on about 30 km of tourist route criss-crossing between limestone mountains and this beautiful river whose breathtaking panoramas are located between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche . You may have also canoed along the water or camped near the river or on the Balcon des Templiers , but do you know the magnificent villages near this heavenly place? If this is not the case, and you want to visit the Ardèche gorges differently, here are some tips to better discover this wonderful corner of France and its surrounding villages.
Roums borders the confluences of the Ardèche. This pretty town is only 8 km from the gorges and deserves the detour to be discovered. 10th century medieval city , Ruoms has kept a certain cachet over the years and a fairly rich architectural heritage. Discover the Southeast Gate and its ramparts. You can visit the Vinimage museum and taste the Ardèche wines . Do not miss the Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens church and its pretty bell tower as well as the Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers chapel. You can then leave Ruoms by taking the road of the defiles dug in the rock and skirting the canyon of the Ardèche.
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc is certainly the most famous village in the Ardèche gorges. It is the starting point for the descent of the gorges, but also a high place of prehistory . On site, you can discover the Grotte Chauvet 2 identical to the Grotte Chauvet which cannot be visited and can discover the paintings of the Paleolithic period. It is obvious that you can also admire the Pont-d’Arc , a natural wonder depicting a rock bridge over the river. Admire the 17th century town hall and its 7 Aubusson tapestries . The covered square on the Place de la Halle-aux-Grains is the oldest in the city. You can still visit the Saint-Saturnin church and the Protestant temple and many other picturesque places along the old little streets.
The town of Salavas is not one of the most visited places in the gorges. It is opposite Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. It still remains to be discovered for its medieval site with the remains of two churches, a pretty cemetery. You will also be able to see two millennial terminals , witnesses of the passage of the Roman road Antoninus Pius . There are also many discovery trails starting from Salavas such as those of La Matourne and La Roche where you can see a pretty bread oven and go to the belvedere.
The superb natural place called Pont-d’Arc is half located in the town of Labastide-de-Virac. Also stop to see the Château des Roure dating from the 14th century offering a magnificent view of the Cévennes and including a former magnanerie where silkworm farming was practiced .
Saint-Remèze is a rural town with pretty little streets winding between beautiful stone houses . As you reach its historic center, admire the great gate built in 1724. On its territory, you can discover about twenty dolmens dating from the Neolithic period as well as numerous caves and several sinkholes. In an old sheepfold, you can also visit the Lavender Museum and its botanical garden, its aromatic vegetable garden and its distillation process.
On the road, make a stop at Bidon . You can discover the Saint-Marcel cave sheltering several prehistoric deposits including numerous lithic tools from the Mousterian. This cave, classified as a historical monument, measures 57 km, but you can only visit part of it. In the town, there are still magnificent dolmens and menhirs like those of Champ-Vermeil.
Being there and not visiting Balazuc is a big mistake. Indeed, this medieval city to the picturesque ramparts is classified among the most beautiful villages in France. The ramparts, the keep and the castle were built between the 11th and 13th centuries. This perched village overlooking the Ardèche has a magnificent castle as well as the Church of Notre-Dame de Balazuc, also built between the 11th and 13th centuries. As you walk, you will come across the Ardèche Museum home to hundreds of original fossils places. Go through the Porte de la Sablière which is the best preserved in the city and admire the Queen Jeanne de Balazuc Tower part of a private domain.
Labeaume is still a village to discover. You will be surprised to see its submersible bridge dating from 1875. Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens Church is a religious work whose first traces are attested in 1262. The choir contains five oils on canvas representing religious scenes as well as Saint-Louis offering the crown of thorns and Saint Sebastian invoked against plague epidemics. It is also adorned with a dozen lovely statues. Also worth seeing are the sundial, the Sablas fountain, the hanging gardens of Récatadou, the Mas Daudet which was the home of Alphonse Daudet's mother and the Unal house which is a particular contemporary achievement, as it is a bubble house dating from 1973 directly placed on the rock.
Vogüé is still one of the very pretty towns of the Ardèche gorges. It is remarkable for its medieval fortified castle by the river on a limestone cliff and remodeled in the 17th century. It houses a dungeon, a hanging garden, a Romanesque chapel, historical rooms and plastic arts exhibitions are regularly hosted there. Also worth seeing is the Tourasse in the center which is one of the first houses of Vogüé, but also the Sundial on the terrace of the presbytery, the rue des Balcons, the place de la Gabadielle, the 11th century Sainte-Marie church and the Saint-Cérice chapel above the castle.
Saint-Martin d’Ardèche is a village where you can visit a large number of places, since its historical and religious heritage is important. First, admire the view of the village of Aiguèze perched on the edges of the cliffs of the Ardèche. You will also find wall sculptures by Max Ernst on the front of a house. The facade of the Château du Bosquet is still admirable, but this château is private. You will cross the suspension bridge over the Ardèche and be able to admire the surroundings. Also worth visiting are the caves of the Two Openings and Huchard Cave . To see again the Rang Pointu dominating the Ardèche which is a superb panorama.
Be that as it may, these 10 towns and villages are to be discovered, but the palme d'or remains at the natural site of the Ardèche gorges and its superb natural concretions. Treat yourself to this enchanting place in spring and autumn, as the high season is overcrowded, as it is unfortunately a victim of its own success.
