Spring Top 10 in the Ardèche Gorges
Those who have already travelled them will tell you that the Ardèche Gorges are fantastic in any season. But in spring, it’s a real apotheosis! To make the most of it, check out our top 10 spring activities in the Ardèche Gorges!
1- Take a walk in the Ardèche Gorges
Spring in the Gorges de l’Ardèche is truly fantastic. The trees are getting fuller by the day, and their different foliage blends into a cameo of green. The flowers add multicoloured touches wherever you look. Butterflies twirl their shimmering colours before our eyes. The river is powerful, translucent and clear. It invites us to take a refreshing dip. It’s calm and serene. All you can hear is the cry of the Bonelli’s eagle, the call of the kidneyshell and the sound of paddles skimming the surface of the water… The Gorges de l’Ardèche are classified as a Nature Reserve, and are one of the most beautiful canyons in Europe. By canoe, on foot, by car… Whatever your preference, there’s something for everyone.
Ardèche Gorges Academy – Tips to make the most of your stay
A special treat for runners: the Ardèche Gorges Trail. 4 races to discover the breathtaking scenery of the Ardèche Gorges. 11, 26, 42 or 73 km, there’s something for everyone! A variety of distances and technical challenges along the way, in the heart of spectacular scenery, and all in good fun!
2 – Picnic by the water
Here’s a simple springtime treat that’ll do you a world of good! A blanket on the beach, good food, sun, family, friends and a little wild river to cool off in – that’s all it takes to make life beautiful!
Our favourite wild spots for a picnic
A little extra: for your picnic, stock up on local produce at the small farmers’ markets: picodon d’Ardèche (goat’s cheese), sausages, olives, honey, fruit and vegetables direct from the farm, organic fruit juices, local wine… You’re in for a treat!
4 – Stroll through the pretty villages of the Ardèche Gorges
Balazuc, Bourg-Saint- Andéol, Labeaume, Saint-Montan, Viviers, Vogüé… Just to name a few. There’s no shortage of picturesque villages in the Gorges de l’Ardèche! In spring, make the most of the sunny days to wander through the pretty cobbled streets of the characterful villages. The squares and balconies are full of flowers, the stalls of local craftsmen open their doors to you, and the terraces of the bistros are an invitation to take your time… To make your visit to our pretty villages even more exciting, we recommend that you hire one of our tour guides. Carole and Carole (:-)) know every little anecdote, every hidden nook and cranny, and are sure to make your visit memorable! (Contact us on 00 33 4 75 54 54 20 for more information).
The must sees in the Ardèche Gorges
A little extra: during the holidays, leave the car in the car park and discover the picturesque villages by bike on the Via Ardèche and Via Rhôna greenways. Vogüé, Balazuc, Viviers and Bourg-Saint-Andéol are just a few pedal strokes away from your holiday destination 😉
4 – Take part in nature events organised by the Syndicat de Gestion des Gorges de l’Ardèche (Ardèche Gorges Management Association)
The Gorges de l’Ardèche have been classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1980, protecting some 2,000 hectares of wilderness. The Réserve Naturelle des Gorges de l’Ardèche is managed by the Syndicat de Gestion des Gorges de l’Ardèche, which organises its actions around 3 major objectives:
🫶 Protect: Thanks to the implementation of ecological management actions including bat conservation, scientific monitoring and surveillance of the two pairs of Bonneli’s eagles, maintenance of percnopter vulture feeding sites…
🙌 Manage: by ensuring that regulations are applied (monitoring mission), assessing the natural heritage, and carrying out scientific monitoring.
🌱 Raising awareness: by offering educational events for the public. And the programme of FREE (!) events put together by the Ardèche Gorges Nature Guides promises to be fascinating! Follow in the footsteps of bats or beavers, observe vultures through binoculars, draw the landscape at the Dent de Rez, understand the impact of climate change on the river and its animal and plant species, go on a guided hike to discover this wild canyon, learn about the history of human occupation and the cultural remains of the Ardèche Gorges over the last 320,000 years.
5 – Organising a canyoning trip
Swimming in the riverbed, jumping into natural pools, abseiling down waterfalls, sliding over rocks, all set in the heart of breathtaking natural surroundings, take a canyoning trip!
Whether you’re a beginner, with children or just looking for a thrill, the local guides will advise you on the most suitable canyoning or water trekking trip.
6 – Walking the local footpaths
From the majestic Gorges de l’Ardèche, to the arid limestone plateaux of Balazuc or Chauzon, via the Rhône valley and the high peaks of the southern Ardèche, you’re spoilt for choice for 1000 hiking adventures in the Gorges de l’Ardèche! More than 400 km of trails are signposted for hiking. Whether you’re a family hiker or a keen walker, for 2 hours, half a day or a whole day, there’s sure to be a great walk waiting for you on our beautiful Ardèche trails.
7 – Discover the Animal exhibition at Grotte Chauvet 2
Perhaps you’ve already had the chance to visit Grotte Chauvet 2? This is a copy of the original Grotte Chauvet, discovered near Pont d’Arc in 1994 by 3 cavers. It faithfully reproduces the prehistoric frescoes and drawings, as well as the walls, floors, ceilings and archaeological remains of this exceptional site, the oldest testimony to the art of mankind.
As well as the traditional tour, Grotte Chauvet 2 is offering a show entitled “Animal, from Prehistory to Street Art“. It’s an immersive experience with sound and light. An animated fresco enhanced by an original musical composition. In the midst of a colourful bestiary, the spectator wanders through 36,000 years of cave art to contemporary street art.
8 – Admire the iris in bloom
Every spring, the same magnificent spectacle takes place in Larnas: the flowering of Bernard Laporte’s irises. A true work of natural art. More than 2,500 varieties of multicoloured iris, one of the largest collections in France!
Bernard moved to the valley in the 90s and bought his first irises to put in his garden. Over time, he developed a passion for this flower, and is constantly on the lookout for new creations.
If you too would like to see Bernard’s irises in flower, May is the time! He welcomes you free of charge at weekends, on public holidays all day, and in the afternoons during the week. You can contact him on 00 33 4 75 04 39 32 to find out how the flowering is progressing.
9 – Taking part in a course or workshop
Le Printemps, le renouveau, ça donne envie d’essayer de nouvelles choses, de vivre de nouvelles expériences. Alors profitez de vos vacances dans les Gorges de l’Ardèche pour tester de nouvelles activités, et soyez curieux ! Ateliers œnologiques chez les vignerons, à Néovinum et au Domaine Terra Noé. Ateliers et stages de décoration d’intérieur avec Patricia, initiation ou stage de soufflage de verre avec Mathilde et Sylvain de Sygma. A vous de choisir 😉
Springtime and new beginnings make you want to try new things and experience new things. So make the most of your holiday in the Ardèche Gorges to try out some new activities, and get curious! Wine-making workshops at Néovinum and Domaine Terra Noé. Interior decoration workshops and courses with Patricia, glass-blowing initiation or course with Mathilde and Sylvain from Sygma. The choice is yours 😉
10 – Try out one of the leisure parks around the Gorges de l’Ardèche
A giant wooden maze, tree climbing courses, a park with nets in the trees, a panda warrior sports course and an aquatic area, an extraordinary forest full of games, laughter, riddles, dreams, sculptures and poetry… There’s something for all the family in the Ardèche Gorges leisure parks!
