3 good reasons to spend your Spring holiday in Ardèche – South of France

Ardèche is South! Which means the Spring brings beautiful warm, sunny days.
So why not come and enjoy the sun and a swim in the river?

If you only go canoeing once in your life, it has to be here! In the Ardèche Gorges! Canoeing in Ardèche is more than just a sport, it is an authentic nature experience. A real journey back to the essentials. Time stands still when you are surrounded by such spectacular nature.

A descent of the Ardèche Gorges (24 or 30 km) from Vallon Pont d’Arc or Pont d’Arc, is guaranteed to make memories you’ll never forget! Opt for the 2-day adventure and spend a magical night in the heart of the Nature Reserve.

If you prefer to practise before embarking on the long descent, some shorter options are available, departing from Vogüé, Balazuc or Pradons, for an introductory session exploring other beautiful spots!

You have probably heard of the Chauvet Cave? Discovered in 1994 at Vallon Pont d’Arc by 3 potholers, the cave is decorated with prehistoric animal paintings: mammoths, cave lions, cave bears, rhinoceros and bison. Cave paintings of 36,000 years ago make this the most ancient “art gallery” in the world. It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in June 2014.

Unique in the world, the original site is protected; it is closed to the public and well guarded! A replica, the Pont d’Arc Cavern, opened its doors in 2015, allowing visitors to experience the emotion of the discovery of these prehistoric paintings.