According to her scenic peculiarities, the Ardèche is subdivided in 5 regions:

The High Vivarais

extends from the Valley of the Rhône up to the Highland and from the Valley of the Doux up to the pass of the Pilat. Its climate is temperate. The landscape changes between highlands and valleys with altitudes between 300 and 900 m. Special attractions are the historic railway of the Vivarais, that will take you along the beautiful banks of the Doux from Tournon to Lamastre, and the safari park of Peaugres. At Annonay, the birthplace of the Montgolfier brothers, the international Montgolfiade, a hot air balloon festival, is organised annually.

The Moyen Vivarais

extends from the Valley of the Ardèche up to the Rhône river and from the lower Valley of the Eyrieux to the plateau of the Coiron. Here, the capital of the Ardèche, Privas, is situated. Especially worth seeing is the Valley of the Eyrieux with its fertile orchards, the plateau of the Coiron and the picturesque villages of Mirabel, Coux and, directly in our neighbourhood, St. Vincent de Barrès and Sceautres.

The Highland

The highest mountains of the Highland are the Mount Mézenc (1.754 m) and the Gerbier de Jonc (1.551 m), at the foot of which rises the river of the Loire, which is here only a modest brook. In this region, volcanic earth has produced natural lakes. Heathland with fir forests shapes the picture of the landscape as well as luxuriant meadows.

The Cévennes

extend from the volcanic mountains in the north and from the basin of the Ardèche in the east. In this Mediterranean landscape, some of the most beautiful boroughs of the Ardèche are situated: Largentière, Joyeuse and Les Vans. Vineyards and pine forests shape the picture of this region as well as heather and the chestnut trees, for which the Ardèche is so famous. The valleys in the north are lined by pretty villages and small towns, among them Vals les Bains, famous for its thermal sources.

The Mediterranean Ardèche

is the empire of thyme, lavender, vine and moors. It is the most Mediterranean region of the Ardèche. In the north, pretty villages with proud castles are situated: Rochemaure, Alba, Vogüé, Saint Montan. In the south, a network of subterranean rivers has dug tunnels, that form extraordinarily beautiful grottos and caverns, the "gorges". The river of the Ardèche has dug tunnels of 37 km length as well as the "Pont d'Arc", a natural arch, stretching about 66 m.

Information

For comprehensive and up-to-date information, you may contact the local tourist offices ("Office de Tourisme" resp. "Syndicat d'Initiative") as well as the Ardèche tourist board

Comité Départemental du Tourisme
4, cours du Palais
B.P. 221
F-07000 Privas
Phone: +33 (0)4.75.64.04.66
Fax: +33 (0)4.75.64.23.93
E-Mail: CDT07@ardeche-guide.com
Web: http://www.ardeche-guide.com

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