10 reasons to choose the countryside over the sea for your summer holidays
What if this year you left the sea behind to sample the joys of the countryside and its wide open spaces in the Gorges de l’Ardèche? Still not sure? Here are 10 good reasons to choose the countryside over the sea for your summer holidays!
1 - The countryside is cheaper!
One of the big advantages of a holiday in the countryside is the price! It’s much cheaper than a seaside holiday. Accommodation, restaurants, activities and visits are much more affordable than in seaside resorts. Staying in a pretty house with a swimming pool, eating in a charming little typical restaurant, hiring a canoe, sleeping in a bivouac, hiring a bike, visiting a cave, a castle or a museum won’t cost you an arm and a leg. And in the countryside, there are plenty of activities and visits that are totally free! For example, you can stroll through the picturesque villages of Balazuc, Labeaume, Saint-Montan and Vogüé, admire the panoramic views of the Gorges de l’Ardèche from the viewpoints along the tourist route, cycle along the greenways, swim and jump in the lovely wild rivers, hike the trails and take in the sights, meet the local winegrowers and producers, swim under the Pont d’Arc, discover the history and remarkable heritage of the towns of Viviers and Bourg-Saint-Andéol…
2 - Bye bye la foule
All year long, you’ve been stressed and oppressed by crowds: on the road, in transport, in the supermarket… So when you’re on holiday, there’s no question of finding yourself on a crowded beach with towels on hand and the neighbour’s dog shaking off your straw mattress… Well, we’re not going to lie to you either… In summer, the Ardèche countryside is not totally deserted and some places are very popular with holidaymakers. You have to choose the right time and day to enjoy them in complete peace and quiet. However, there are plenty of little wilderness spots, far from the crowds and hustle and bustle, if you take the trouble to get off the beaten track. Another good idea: choose the period before 14 July and after 15 August. The crowds are quite reasonable at these times.
3 - In the countryside, cool off in a cave
Summer is all about sunshine and warmth. In fact, the weather is one of the good reasons for coming to the Ardèche Gorges. But we have to admit that in the hottest hours of the afternoon, when the heatwave is numbing our bodies and minds, we’re quite happy to take a cool break in a cave. The temperature underground is a constant 13°C all year round. And there’s no shortage of caves in the Gorges de l’Ardèche! Aven d’Orgnac, Grotte de Saint-Marcel, Grotte de la Madeleine, Grotte de la Forestière, Aven Marzal and Grotte de la Salamandre. It’s a breath of fresh air, and a good dose of wonder and enchantment that’s sure to delight the whole family.
4 - Away from pollution in the countryside
Going on holiday in the countryside means getting away from the pollution of towns and seaside resorts. The air is purer. Here, there’s no smell of exhaust fumes, just that of the land we farm. No noise pollution, no hooting horns, no noisy neighbours. Just the sounds of nature: cicadas, crickets, the cuckoo, the little owl, the tawny owl, the goats, the cockerel in the early hours of the morning…. No visual pollution. Just the most beautiful starry skies you’ve ever seen.
5 - No chance of finding a jellyfish in the river
OK, the sea is nice in summer when it’s hot to cool off. But let’s be honest: it’s salty, it stings, there are waves and it’s full of jellyfish. But the water in our Ardèche rivers is soft, clear and crystal-clear, refreshing and invigorating. And with the exception of a few trout and cute little kidney fish, you won’t come across any unpleasant encounters. The Ardèche, Ibie and Chassezac are just some of the rivers where you can enjoy the pleasures of the water: swimming, canoeing, hiking and canyoning, boat trips, paddling, fishing, kayaking… And last but not least: you won’t come across anyone trying to sell you sunglasses, pareos, ice creams or scrunchies at the bottom of a wild Ardèche valley 🙂 And that, I have to admit, is a real relief. The peace and quiet, the birdsong, the croaking frogs, the cicadas and the lapping of the river… You may not have any pampering, but you’re fine (and here it’s nougat anyway!).
6- In the countryside, you can see rare and protected animals
Want to see something other than seagulls? In the Ardèche Gorges national nature reserve, you can see many rare and protected species: Bonelli’s eagle, the Egyptian vulture, the Peregrine falcon, the European beaver, the otter and the bat, to name but a few. We recommend that you take part in the nature walks offered by the nature reserve‘s guides. Using binoculars, you can learn to recognise the different species of bird of prey that have made their home in the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Follow in the footsteps of the beavers and otters on the banks of the Ardèche and Rhône rivers. You can listen to the calls of the bats, imperceptible to the ear, using the batbox, an ultra-sound box. And you’re very likely to come across the wild but very curious goats of the Gorges de l’Ardèche!
7- In the countryside, activities are extremely varied
Holidays by the sea tend to appeal to the whole family, because you know you’ll be able to enjoy a whole host of activities. But the countryside is not to be outdone, quite the contrary! In the Ardèche Gorges, you’ll find activities to suit all tastes, profiles and desires. It’s a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities: hiking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, caving, via ferrata, canyoning, paddling, mountain biking, cycling, accrobranches, donkey trekking, paragliding… You can visit some of the most beautiful caves in France, and even the Grotte Chauvet 2, a copy of the Grotte Chauvet, where the oldest cave paintings in the world were discovered! There are museums and châteaux for all the family. Spectacular natural sites. Picturesque villages. You can visit farms and meet local winemakers and producers. Visit animal parks. Visit the dolmens. Visit art galleries and artists’ studios… In short, there’s never a dull moment in the countryside!
8 - Discover a genuine terroir
Where there’s countryside, there’s terroir. And in the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the local winegrowers and producers are the best ambassadors of this! We recommend that you go and meet them, visit their farms or cellars, and take part in their oenology workshops. They are truly passionate. About their work, their land, their Ardèche. So in the countryside, say bye bye to seafood, and hello to picodon (goat’s cheese), caillettes and saucisson d’Ardèche, good honey, nougat, seasonal fruit and vegetables, flavoured olive oil, chestnut cream and wines from local vineyards. Do your shopping directly at the farm, or at the farmers’ markets. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s also tastier and a great way to meet new people.
9 - Choosing a holiday in the countryside means you're not doing what everyone else is doing!
Quand vous allez raconter à vos collègues à la rentrée toutes les aventures que vous avez vécues dans les Gorges de l’Ardèche, ils ne vont pas en revenir ! Parlez leur de votre expérience d’aventuriers en canoë dans les Gorges de l’Ardèche, la beauté des paysages, la nuit sous la tente au bivouac. L’observation des étoiles, l’écoute des chauves souris, le réveil avec les chèvres. Nul doute que vous allez faire des envieux !
When you go back to school and tell your colleagues about all the adventures you’ve had in the Gorges de l’Ardèche, they won’t believe it! Tell them about your adventurous canoeing experience in the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the beauty of the landscape, the night in a tent at the bivouac. Watching the stars, listening to the bats, waking up to the goats. No doubt you’ll be the envy of many!
10 - The countryside is still available, but it may not be for much longer!
At this time of year, there’s a good chance that the seaside campsites are already full. But in the countryside of the Gorges de l’Ardèche, there are still some lovely holiday homes, chalets and mobile homes on campsites, bed and breakfasts and hotels available. So don’t delay too long, because holidays in the countryside are just great! It would be a shame to miss out 😉
