Gorges de l'Ardeche and Pont d'Arc

Limestone Canyon Of The ArdèChe River With The Pont D'Arc Natural Arch, A National Nature Reserve; The Nearby Chauvet Cave, Closed To The Public, Is A UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014) Shown Through The Full Scale Replica Chauvet 2 · Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

The Ardèche river cuts a winding limestone canyon about 30 km long between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, with pale cliffs up to a few hundred metres high, gravel beaches and green pools. At its upstream end the river flows under the Pont d'Arc, a huge natural stone arch that is the most photographed spot in the region. Most of the canyon is a national nature reserve with no road inside it, so it is seen in two ways: from the water, by canoe or kayak, usually over one or two days with a night at a regulated bivouac, or from above, along the Route des Gorges, a cliff-top road with a string of viewpoints. The plateau around is riddled with caves. In 1994 cavers found the Chauvet cave near the arch, painted some 36,000 years ago; it is sealed to protect it and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors see Chauvet 2, a full-scale replica nearby. In July and August the river, beaches and campsites are very busy; spring and early autumn are calmer, but the water level changes fast after storms.

Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and the Route des Gorges, Ardèche, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

The Route des Gorges and its viewpoints are public roads open at all hours, and the Pont d'Arc beach can be reached on foot at any time, although parking near the arch is paid and fills early in summer. Canoe and kayak hire in Vallon runs mainly from spring to early autumn, with the full descent offered only when the water level allows and most outfitters closed in winter; confirm each company's season. The two bivouac areas inside the reserve must be booked in advance and have their own opening season and rules on fires, noise and waste, so confirm the current arrangements before planning a two-day trip. Navigation can be suspended by the authorities when the river is high after rain. Chauvet 2 opens most of the year with long summer hours, shorter hours in winter and a short annual closure; entry is by timed visit, and summer slots sell out, so book online ahead. The Aven d'Orgnac and the other show caves keep seasonal hours and some close for part of the winter. The reserve's information points keep shorter hours outside the main season.

Gorges de l'Ardeche and Pont d'Arc on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos