8 not-to-be-missed viewpoints in the Ardèche Gorges
1 - The Serre de Tourre in the Ardèche Gorges
The first lookout on the Ardèche Gorges tourist route, after the Pont d’Arc, the Serre de Tourre will immediately put you in the mood! 200 m above the river and facing the meander of the Pas de Mousse (a loop created by the River Ardèche), you’re in for a real treat!
And it’s not impossible that you’ll come across some of the wild goats that live in the Ardèche Gorges…
Now that you’re here, we strongly advise you to continue on the Ardèche Gorges route. There are 10 other lookouts along the way, all of which are well worth a visit!
2 - The Vogüé cliffs
Le village de Vogüé, c’est un village qu’on aime vraiment beaucoup… Il y règne dès les beaux jours une atmosphère de vacances. Facile me direz vous ! La rivière, la plage, les jolies maisons de pierre serrées les unes contre les autres, le charme des ruelles pavées et des balcons fleuris, les glaciers, les terrasses au dessus de l’Ardèche… Comment ne pas tomber totalement amoureux de ce village?
Et il existe un autre point de vue sur Vogüé qui va définitivement vous convaincre… Et au coucher du soleil, c’est juste magique…
The village of Vogüé is one that we really love… As soon as the sun comes out, it’s like being on holiday. Easy, you might say! The river, the beach, the pretty stone houses huddled together, the charm of the cobbled streets and flower-filled balconies, the ice-cream parlours, the terraces overlooking the Ardèche… How could you not fall completely in love with this village?
And there’s another viewpoint over Vogüé that will definitely convince you… And at sunset, it’s just magical…
3 - The Cirque de Gens in Chauzon
Well-known to climbers and walkers, the Cirque de Gens is a natural site carved out of the limestone cliffs by the River Ardèche over millions of years. A path runs halfway up the cliff and along the water’s edge on the left bank of the river. The view from here is already pretty great!
But if you like to get even higher, from the top of the cliffs, you’re in for a treat!
4 -The old village of Balazuc
Classed as a village of character and one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Balazuc is beautiful from every angle. But on the other side of the river, as you cross the bridge towards Uzer and climb the path to the right, the whole village is revealed before your very eyes!
5 - Labeaume's suspended gardens
A little way from the village of Labeaume, you’ll discover an unusual site: the Récatadou suspended gardens. These are small terraces built into the cliffs in the 18th century, and cultivated until the middle of the 20th century. And the view from these gardens is breathtaking! The River Beaume winds its way along a wild canyon below, alternating between small beaches and lush vegetation!
6 - The summit of the Dent de Rez
The Dent de Rez massif is a cliff that can be seen from afar, from the motorway as you approach the Ardèche Gorges or as you drive along the Saint-Remèze plateau! It’s also an unbeatable vantage point for any hiker who reaches its summit (719m), offering a 360-degree panorama. From up there, you can enjoy a landscape ranging from the Cévennes to the Dentelles de Montmirail, via the Montagne Ardéchoise, the Coiron, the Vercors, the Diois, its Trois Becs and Mont Ventoux.
7 - Joannade hill in Viviers
On the heights of Viviers, a town with a remarkable heritage on the banks of the Rhône, is the hill of Joannade, topped by the statue of the Virgin. In the past, the bonfires of St John were lit here, hence the name Joannade. It’s easy to get to, just 20 minutes from the town centre along the hiking trail (1.5 hour loop from the historic centre of Viviers). Admire the view of the upper town, with the Episcopal Palace, the cathedral, the Grand Seminary and the Rhône as you’ve never seen it before.
8 - The medieval village of Saint-Montan
The best viewpoint from which to admire Saint-Montan? It’s certainly the one on the way back from the Ermitage de la Sainte-Beaume hike. At the end of this loop between Saint-Montan and Larnas, just before returning to the characterful village of Saint-Montan, stop for a panoramic view of the fortress and the village.
