Viewpoints on the Ardèche Gorges tourist route

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss when visiting the Ardèche, it’s the Gorges de l’Ardèche tourist route. Classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1980, the Ardèche Gorges are home to rare fauna and flora, in an absolutely spectacular natural setting. Between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, a 24km stretch of winding road overlooks the river at a height of 200m, offering some fantastic scenery. There are 11 lookouts on the Ardèche Gorges tourist route, offering breathtaking views of the sheer cliffs, the meandering river Ardèche and the surrounding garrigue.

1 – Viewpoint at Serre de Tourre

From Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, after passing the famous Pont d’Arc (a break is essential here ;-)), you climb up to the plateau of the Gorges de l’Ardèche. The very first viewpoint, 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), the view is fantastic!

2 – Autridge balconny

A few kilometres further on, you turn off the main road to park in the Balcon d’Autridge car park. Below you, the river at the far end of the canyon. And to your right, the Autridge Pillar, a well-known site for climbers, at an impressive 180 m high!

3 – Balcony le Cros de l’Olivier

4 – Gournier Balcony

5 – Viewpoint of la Madeleine

To admire the view from the Madeleine lookout, you’ll have to walk a little further than at the other lookouts in the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Follow the signs for “Grotte de la Madeleine” and park at the first car park. Then walk along a footpath (about 500 m) and follow the signs for “belvédère de la Madeleine“. The view of the famous Cathedral rock on the left bank of the Ardèche is simply breathtaking!

6 – Belvedere of the Templars

One of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the Belvédère des Templiers offers a unique view of the Cirque de la Madeleine, the emblematic meander of the Gorges de l’Ardèche. Amid the vegetation, you can make out the medieval ruins of the Maladrerie des Templiers, which you can see more clearly from the next viewpoints.

7 – Balcon des Templiers

A slightly different view of the Cirque de la Madeleine.

8 – Balcony of the Maladrerie

From this viewpoint, the medieval ruins of the Maladrerie des Templiers can be seen more clearly.

According to popular belief in the 19th century, the Knights Templar came to take refuge in the Gorges de l’Ardèche after the arrests orchestrated by Philippe le Bel, King of France, in 1307, and the dissolution of the Order by the Pope in 1312. Despite its well-known local ancestral name of “Maladrerie des Templiers”, no written or archaeological evidence to date confirms its role as a leper colony or commandery, or even that it belonged to the Order of the Temple or the Hospitallers. In reality, it is thought to have been a monastery, enlarged over the centuries to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

9 – Rouvière balcony

10 – The Great Belvedere

11 – Ranc Pointu viewpoint

This itinerary on the tourist route of the Gorges de l’Ardèche ends on a high note with the Ranc Pointu viewpoint. Built on a rocky outcrop, it is truly impressive! You’ll have to climb a few steps to see the last steep meander of the Ardèche. The various erosion phenomena are clearly visible here, with these cliffs streaked and pierced with caves.

Meet the goats of the Gorges de l’Ardèche

When you take the tourist route through the Gorges de l’Ardèche by car, it’s not impossible that you’ll come across a few unlikely encounters…

More than 80 goats live here in the wild. You’re sure to come across them at the Serre de Tourre viewpoint, on the Autridge balcony or sunbathing in the middle of the road!

So here you are, in Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, at the end of the tourist route through the Gorges de l’Ardèche, with your head (and your phone ;-)) full of memories of these splendid landscapes. Take the opportunity to explore the village of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, and why not take a swim break on one of the 2 beaches: at Grain de Sel, or Sauze beach 😉