Location: South Central France Map
Length: 125 km
Height: 12,316 ft (3,754 m)
Ardèche Gorge carved by Ardeche river (tributary of River Rhône) is situated in the South Central France. High limestone cliffs of Ardèche Gorge reach a height of 300 m, while its pristine forests is a favorite destination for kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Renting is also available here. Two day kayak rental is about 50 Euros for two or three days per person. Most of people start at Pont d'Arc, a natural arch that is considered a gateway to the Ardeche Valley. Summers is the best time to visit the location. In Spring and Fall seasons flash floods (locally known as "shots of the Ardèche") are common in the area. These are fairly dangerous in the narrow gorge.
Pont d'Arc
Pont d'Arc or Arch Bridge is a natural geologic formation situated 5 km from a town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. It is considered to be an entrance of the Ardeche Gorge. It measures 60 m wide and 54 m high.
Chauvet Cave or Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave
Chauvet Cave is situated near Pont d'Arc Natural Arch. It was discovered in 1994 by three speleologists: Eliette Brunel-Deschamps, Christian Hillaire, and Jean-Marie Chauvet. The cave was called after the last discoverer. The cave they accessed is about 400 meters long. Explorers discovered incredible rock art made by the prehistoric people who lived in the cave during Upper Paleolithic period. Numerous life like depictions of animals that lived 30,000- 32,000 years ago cover walls of the cave. Many of those are now extinct in Europe. The most famous are the Horse Panel and the Panel of Lions and Rhinoceroses. Other animals and birds include red deer, reindeer, musk oxen, panther, ibex and many others. The original entrance was covered by a land slide. This sealed the cave as a time capsule thus preserving ancient art. Unfortunately previous experience taught scientists that large number of tourists damage paintings. Thus the cave was closed to the public as soon as it was discovered. Hopefully this will change in the future.
Grotte de la Madeleine
Camping Sites in the Ardeche Region
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Bois Simonet |
Camping le Casque Roi +33 (0)4 75 88 04 23 Camping Les Chadenèdes +33 (0)4 75 39 09 19 Camping le Riviera 33 (0)4 75 39 67 57 Sun Camping +33 (0)4 75 39 76 12 Ceven'Hébergement +33 (0)4 75 94 98 68Camping Mas de la Source +33 (0)4 75 39 67 98 Camping les Pins d'Ucel +33 (0)4 75 37 49 20 Camping la Drobie +33 (0)4 75 36 95 22 SunVacances +33 (0)4 75 93 13 94 Le Razal +33 (0)6 50 48 85 66 Camping le pontet +33 (0)4 75 04 63 07 Camping La Grenouille +33 (0)4 66 82 21 36 Camping de Jastres +33 (0)4 75 35 04 39 |
Camping des Issoux |
Camping de La Plage |