Must-see attractions around the campsite Les Arches Ardeche France

Natural heritage

01 Oppidum of Jastres

Oppidum of Jastres

Gallic oppidum of the barred spur type, dominating the Ardèche. On the accessible side, it is defended by a monumental wall showing three stages of construction.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 20 min

02 The Devil's Bridge

The Devil's Bridge

This magnificent stone bridge overlooks the Ardèche river at the foot of the village of Thueyts. A nice visit to do with the family, a belvedere is located above the bridge and many hiking trails are possible on site. There is also a very famous via ferrata to discover.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 50 min

03 Basalt flows

Basalt flows

A real curiosity of nature! Running down the foothills of Tanargue (1300 m), the Lignon runs along the village of La Souche before crossing the town of Jaujac (420 m). Its clear waters then flow at the foot of some of the most beautiful basalt flows in Europe, the lava having solidified thousands of years ago to form natural “organs” of great beauty.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 38 min

04 Paiolive Wood

Paiolive Wood

The Bois de Païolive is one of the strangest curiosities of the Ardèche. A veritable natural labyrinth overlooking the Chassezac, located in the communes of Vans, Banne and Berrias-Casteljau, it has been "inhabited" since the dawn of time. strange and inimitable sculptures of limestone blocks jagged and defied by erosion.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 55 min

05 The Balmes of Montbrun

The Balmes of Montbrun

Remains of a medieval village abandoned in the 18th century, including troglodyte caves, all in an old volcano. Slightly away from the village, there is a religious building also troglodyte: the Sainte-Catherine chapel (XVI), with a single nave, a beaten earth floor, and an altar on which sits a statue of Jesus.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 12 min

06 Neck of Sceautre

Neck of Sceautre

It is the most important in Europe. The statue of a virgin has been placed at its summit. 130m above the village, the neck, the cap of the volcano's old chimney, allows us to discover the geology of the site.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 15 min

07 The Gorges and the Pont d'Arc

The Gorges and the Pont d'Arc

The Pont d'Arc is a natural arch 54 m high and 59 m wide, dug by the Ardèche river thousands of years ago. It is nicknamed the ""natural gateway"" to the Gorges of the Ardèche and was classified Grand Site de France in 1990. It is a famous place for canoeists and one of the most visited tourist sites in the department, you can practice many activities there such as caving, kayaking, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking...

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 44 min

08 The Ibie Valley

The Ibie Valley

The river "Ibie" has its source at the foot of Coiron, near Villeneuve de Berg, and flows into the Ardèche downstream of Vallon Pont D'Arc. 30 km of valley reveal magnificent and surprising landscapes. Its stream is often dry. It becomes a long turquoise ribbon, full of strength, moving tons of pebbles, when the rains finally bring the waters up.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 20 min

Historical sites

09 Chauvet II

Chauvet II

Unique in the world, this site offers a moving approach to the decorated cave of Pont-d'Arc, known as the Chauvet Cave, through a reconstruction of cave paintings dating back more than 36,000 years. As the largest cave replica in the world, the Grotte Chauvet 2 extends its more-than-lifelike facsimile over 3,500 square meters for maximum immersion in Ardèche prehistory.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 35 min

10 The MuséAl

The MuséAl

At MuséAL, relive the daily life of the Helvians and immerse yourself in the life of an ancient capital. From archaeological excavations, these familiar and mysterious objects reveal the origins of our culture and tell us a lot about our life today. Will you fall under the charm of the imperial statue?

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 10 min

11 The Aven d’Orgnac

The Aven d’Orgnac

Breathtaking… The expression sums up the experience at the Aven d'Orgnac. Nature and culture complement each other here. The Cave - spectacular, and the City of Prehistory - modern and playful - invite you on a journey through geological time and human history.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 50 min

12 The Aven Marzal

The Aven Marzal

Let yourself be guided into the depths of Marzal during a descent taking you 125 meters deep and come face the dinosaurs along an 800-meter course where you can discover them life-size and hear them roar!

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 40 min

13 St Montan Castle

St Montan Castle

An exceptional site for the restoration of built heritage, come walk the narrow streets of Saint-Montan which have kept their medieval soul and treat yourself to a visit of the castrum by entering the castle walls where the keep, manor house, fortress and co-lordship will no longer have secrets for you...

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 35 min

14 Lavender Museum

Lavender Museum

The visit to the lavender museum takes about 1 hour and is guided with commentary. During this visit, you will tour the estate by small train, watch a video, and observe the distillation process. You can also freely enjoy the lavender fields where various types of lavender grow.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 35 min

Cities and towns

16 Aubenas and its castle

Aubenas and its castle

Perched on a rocky outcrop, Aubenas overlooks the Ardèche valley, hence its name "Aubenas", taken from the Roman word of Celtic origin, which means "high place". A strategic lookout post between the granitic Cévennes to the North and West, and the Mediterranean limestone plateau to the East and South. Its castle (12th and 18th century) with its inner courtyard decorated with turrets and its Renaissance-style staircases is a must-see (classified as a historical monument in 1994).

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 25 min

17 Balazuc

Balazuc

A small fortified medieval village perched at the top of a cliff, clinging to impressive limestone rocks overlooking the Ardèche river. Its past is visible at every step in its narrow paved and vaulted streets, full of charm and bathed in sun... Classified among "the most beautiful villages in France" and the "Villages of Character".

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 23 min

18 Vogüé

Vogüé

Classified as one of the "most beautiful villages in France" and a "village of character", Vogüé is a picturesque medieval village. The towers and posterns of the old castle dominate the houses leaning against the cliff. Hanging gardens offer a magnificent panorama of the Ardèche valley. The maze of charming narrow streets dotted with arcades, vaulted passages, and external stairs will lead you to the banks of the Ardèche river at the foot of the village. Perfect for walks, swimming, or visiting.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 18 min

19 Labeaume

Labeaume

A small picturesque village in Ardèche on the edge of the river "la Beaume", nestled against its thousand-year-old cliffs, formerly carved with troglodyte caves. An oasis of freshness shimmering in the blue waters of the river. Labeaume is classified as a "village of character". For a long time, the inhabitants lived from the silk industry and the cultivation of olive trees. You can still see some mulberry trees and old presses.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 40 min

20 Vals-les-Bains

Vals-les-Bains

A spa town since the 12th century, Vals-les-Bains is today one of the largest European centers for the treatment of diabetes. Whether you are a nature lover—enjoying its rivers or its forests—or you have a city soul, Vals-les-Bains will entertain you: numerous hiking trails among chestnut trees, white-water sports, a small train among giant sequoias, or a casino, cinema, theater, mini-golf, nightclubs, markets, and walks in the park. Be sure to wait and be surprised by its intermittent spring. A haven of peace with a mild climate all year round.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 30 min

21 Alba and its castle

Alba and its castle

At the foot of the Coiron massif, this village is rich in historical heritage. A medieval town built in a circular arc around its castle, it features a strange labyrinth of paved streets where houses built with regional materials mix black basalt with white limestone. A must-visit: its archaeological site (notably the Gallo-Roman theater crossed by a river which could accommodate nearly 3,000 spectators), its fortified castle, its medieval city, and just a few minutes' walk away, the Hameau de la Roche, a small fortified hamlet.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 10 min

22 Vallon Pont d’Arc

Vallon Pont d’Arc

At the gateway to the Ardèche gorges, the village owes its name to the famous natural arch nearly 30m high, classified as a "Grand Site de France", which spans the river offering an amazing place for swimming. The natural reserve of the Ardèche gorges has allowed the development and protection of local wildlife; you can enjoy the beauty of the area by using a very popular summer means of transport... canoeing and kayaking!!

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 37 min

23 Ruoms

Ruoms

A medieval village of character with 14th-century ramparts built around the Notre Dame des Pommiers chapel and its enclosure. In the old village, you will come across houses dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The main wealth of Ruoms was for a long time its limestone (used for the base of the Statue of Liberty, the current bridge of Avignon, and the Fountain of Pont Saint Esprit). The vineyards (wine festival on the 2nd Sunday of August) represent an important part of its activity along with tourism. Its summer markets (Friday morning and Wednesday evening) and night entertainment are very popular.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 30 min

24 Mirabel

Mirabel

Clearly visible from the RN 102, the village of Mirabel, located on the southern edge of the Coiron, overlooks the Claduègne valley. It is topped by a tower, the remains of an old castle. It owes its name to the Latin adjective mirabilis, meaning "admirable". From the rock that juts out over the village, the most beautiful horizon is offered to the visitor. This volcanic platform at an altitude of 550m allows us to embrace a vast territory (one-third of the department, it is said) and to see 17 steeples.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 8 min

25 Saint Montan

Saint Montan

Classified as a "Village of Character", Saint-Montan is rich in an imposing medieval heritage: a supposedly impregnable fortress built on a rocky outcrop, Romanesque churches, chapels, and the not-to-be-missed "Lourdes" cave. This feudal town, once fallen into ruins, has been entirely restored and can now be visited. Heritage is at the heart of your stay, but many events will also entertain you: the Ardèche festival, the Rhône festival, night markets, and exhibitions.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 35 min

26 Joyeuse

Joyeuse

Medieval village located on a hill overlooking the Baume gorges. At the foot of the Cévennes and bordered by limestone plateaus.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 40 min

27 Viviers

Viviers

Perched on their peak, the village and its cathedral dominate the Rhône valley and offer a view of the neighboring Drôme. A key element of the village is water... the Rhône and the Escoutay river border the village and offer a port and a nautical base. Rich in an important cultural heritage and numerous classified monuments, you can contemplate the cathedral, the town hall, and the house of the knights.

Estimated travel time from our campsite: 24 min

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