Parc naturel régional des Monts d'Ardèche

The Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park deserves to be better known but, somewhat selfishly, I'm glad it isn't. While most of Europe seems to behave like lemmings and dash down the Autoroute du Soleil towards the Mediterranean Sea, the Park is a tranquil oasis in comparison. Because it's so large (nearly 200,000 hectares), it's difficult to describe the park concisely. However, extinct volcanos and gorges features strongly as well as chestnut groves, dry stone walls and mountain plateaus full of bilberries. You can see the source of the Loire, comfortably climb certain mountains in an afternoon (e.g. Mont Gerbier de Jonc) and see the beautiful watershed landscape that separates the waters flowing to the Mediterranean Sea from those flowing to the Atlantic Ocean. It's also full of charming villages and, because it's still a seismically active region, there are also some great spa towns such as Vals-les-Bains. In an increasingly crowded world it's reassuring to know that Regional Nature Parks like this one are so unspoilt and relatively little known.

You can do the Ardeche by Canoe and cool down in nice water or you can travel the upper Ardeche by dirtbike on very nice tracks and by surprise you will get some very special points with an amazing view into the region. The cevennes and the Ardeche are a very challenging area travelling offroad.

Definitely one of my favorite places when i go to france, great views and when the skies are clear you can see the alps. Great for a picnic, or just to relax. Some people start here for paragliding.

The Ardèche is very beautiful. Great for hiking and enjoying nature. Lovely people and old towns make your trip complete. Or you could stay and live here like me.

This is a large area, no easy way to review. The entire area is very picturesque, green, and beautiful. Very scenic drives, tons of spots to take a dip in a river or stream, great food to eat including lots of local cheese, the local artisanal beers were great, beautiful places to spend the night, the one we. Enjoyed our weekend there, will be back soon.

One of many great walks in the region. Fields covered with wild berries and the view at the top is amazing.

We hiked with the kids from the visitor centre to the old vulcano from Jaujac. The vulcano ground is very fertile and overgrown with lots of plantation. The hike is around 1,5 hour.

Nice place to visit. Great hiking tracks, via ferata possible.