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Claude48

Regular343 posts

2025-03-27

Hello,

I’m planning to spend a few days in Ardèche and I’d like to know if we should choose just one base or more to visit the region. Looking at the department map and the main sites to see, I’d personally go for 2 bases to avoid too much driving. So, if anyone who knows this beautiful region well could give me some advice on this, I’d really appreciate it in advance!

Djalma Globetrotter ·2025-03-27

Hi there, Ardèche is a really diverse department— lush and green in the north and Mediterranean in the south. I’d pick three bases to minimize travel time due to the terrain and winding roads. One in the north around Annonay or Lamastre, another near Mézenc / Mont Gerbier de Jonc, and a third near the Ardèche Gorges or the Cévennes (far south, bordering Gard and Lozère).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·2025-03-28

Hi there, Spending a vacation in Annonay—knowing the area well—I’d say you’ve gotta be really motivated 😕 If it’s just a few days, less than a week, I’d focus on the southern part of the department, like Vogüé or Vallon. Aubenas can be nice too. For more than a week, yeah, two bases could work, but more toward Mont Mezenc. Just a heads-up: trips can take a while in Ardèche because the roads are winding.

"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust

CL Claude48 Regular ·2025-03-28

Hi, Thanks Djalma and Montagnard74. I’ve taken note of your advice. Our trip won’t last more than a week, so we’re not planning to see everything in such a short time—just focusing on the must-see spots (villages, nature, caves, castles, for example). If we feel like it and have time, we might come back... We’re looking at either late June or mid-September.

Poste42 Veteran ·2025-03-28

Entraigues-sur-Vallon might be nice to visit if you like Jean Ferrat. I found Annonay not so bad, actually—it keeps you busy for a good part of the day. If you're coming from Saint-Étienne, you'll pass the Col de la République, which is quite high up.

Djalma Globetrotter ·2025-03-28

Hi there.. Antraigues-sur-Volane is the village of Jean Ferrat. 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

Poste42 Veteran ·2025-03-28

You're right, it's Antraigues-sur-Volane (it's a bit of a mouthful to say!)

Djalma Globetrotter ·2025-03-28

Yeah, because if you search with an E: Entraigues... you won't find anything. 🙁

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

CL Claude48 Regular ·2025-03-29

Hi, Thanks for your message. Of course, I really loved Jean Ferrat—it’ll be a pleasure and an honor to visit the village where he lived!

CL Claude48 Regular ·2025-03-29

Hi again,

After some thought and considering the approximate length of our stay (6/7 days), I think we’ll focus solely on the southern part of Ardèche. Based on tourist info and other sources, it seems like the better choice. It’s better to explore this area in a bit more detail than to rush through both the north and south. There are definitely things to see in the north, but based on the attractions that appeal to us most, we’ve found more in the south. The Chauvet Caves, Ardèche Gorges, villages, nature, waterfalls, etc.—there’s plenty to do. We might head up to the central part above Aubenas, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Ray-Pic, Antraigues-sur-Volane... Enough to fill our days nicely.

Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·2025-03-29

Great choice. In June or September, you can even stay around Vallon Pont d'Arc, the iconic symbol of Ardèche! 😊

"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust

Poste42 Veteran ·2025-03-29

Good Ardèche trip! I’d done the northern part, since I was coming from the Loire, and I really liked it.

Djalma Globetrotter ·2025-03-29

If you're staying in Vallon Pont d'Arc (the start of the Ardèche Gorges for kayaking trips), don’t miss what’s upstream: Les Gorges du Chassezac (Hikes canyoning, kayaking/canoeing, swimming in the right season...) and in the same area (on the road to Les Vans): Le Bois de Païolive (a small natural curiosity, great for a short "hike").

Between Vallon and Villeneuve: La Vallée de l'Ibie (waterfalls): https://www.gorgesdelardeche.fr/les-gorges-de-lardeche/sites-reconnus/la-vallee-de-libie/

A bit out of order (further north): The lovely village of Jaujac (with basaltic organ formations) -Le Cirque de Gens in Chauzon

To the south: L'Aven d'Orgnac

PS: If you’re heading to Antraigues-sur-Volane, in a village about 2 or 3 km north (Laviolle), there’s a nice little spot by the river—a simple, cozy restaurant: Chez Baratier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY

CL Claude48 Regular ·2025-03-31

Hello and thank you to all of you and to Montagnard74,

I made my reservations first near Vogüé, and then I also chose Vallon-Pont-d'Arc since I really wanted to focus on the southern part. Hoping now for good weather at the end of June... Best regards,

CL Claude48 Regular ·2025-03-31

Hello,

Thanks to you as well for sharing information about Ardèche. Best regards,

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