Welcome to Ardèche
Choosing Ardèche as a holiday destination means being able to enjoy a regional department that combines different aspects of tourism in a place with a lot of history, as it is one of the original departments formed after the French Revolution.
In its most natural parts you will be able to enjoy changing landscapes in which you will go through different routes surrounding landscapes with rivers and the views from the Rhône valley, lavender fields, or get to know its underground universe, which also holds many secrets.
And you will find all of this, decorated by its impressive cultural and artistic heritage that you will be able to discover in this corner of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Don't forget to visit the most important cities of this department, such as Privas, which is its capital, or Annonay and Aubenas, two of the most populated ones.
What to see in Ardèche?
If you want to enjoy quality rural tourism, Ardèche offers you a wide range of activities and places of cultural interest that will surprise you.
A destination specially valued by nature lovers who always manage to find a perfect trekking route to enjoy the valleys, the forests and the impressive waterfalls that decorate the whole landscape.
It is also a good destination to explore by car, as it has a network of wide and well-kept roads, as well as biking trails that will take you through the main urban centres and their surroundings. A destination which is also closely linked to water, including activities such as canoeing down its rivers.
For the more urbanite tourists, there is nothing like enjoying its historical cities, which have perfectly preserved the essence of yesteryear and offer you today different monuments of great interest.
What curiosities are there?
As we were saying, this is a destination that will surprise you, and where you will be able to discover magical places where you will surely want to spend a few days resting and enjoying doing rural tourism.
Ardèche is undoubtedly a unique space where you will find several locations that are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage, as is the case of L'Aven d'Orgnac and the Chauvet cave, two sights that cannot be missed.
The Natural Park of the Monts d'Ardèche and the Mézenc Mountain are natural spaces of an incomparable beauty that you simply must pay a visit to. But if you prefer a much wider view, at the Mirador del Pic viewpoint your eyes will take into them, and into much more.
Book online your ideal rural house in Ardèche
Where can you sleep?
The answer would be: anywhere. This department has a lot of cities where you can spend a few days and enjoy their landscapes and culture.
If you are looking to accompany your stay with a nice weather, the capital offers you a wide and varied range of accommodation where you can take a break and enjoy the mild climate that reigns from May to October here.
But going out of your way to avoid the most typical options, Vallon Pont d'Arc offers you rural houses and apartments very close to one of its main attractions: the bridge that gives it its name, and Aven d'Orgnac where you will enjoy feelings the subsoil of this department in the shape of a palace made of rocks. Besides, the proximity to Gorges de l'Ardèche will complete a unique experience.
What to do in the area?
We have been giving you hints of the main attractions of the area, things to do and places to visit for all ages.
If you want to see cities, the tourist offers of Vallon Pont d'Arc are focused on the great amount of natural attractions that can be found here. But you can't forget Touron sur Rhône, or Aubenas, where we highlight their gorges and natural pools.
For those who want to enjoy their stay feeling like kings, visiting the many castles that are found here can be the perfect option. Among them are those of Crussol, des Roure or Saint-Montan, and the castle museum of Tournon. Of course, there are many more of them that give that medieval touch that you can find in most towns in this region.
What typical foods are recommended?
If we look at the recipes of this spectacular department, they are closely linked to its personality and traditional, rural essence.
They are dishes based on two main products: chestnuts and potatoes, as it is an area with a large production of these two products, which have served as their gastronomical basis throughout history, on the tables of its inhabitants.
However, its dishes have been refined, as is the case of chestnut cream, jams and cakes. One of the star dishes is the chestnut soup, with a thick consistency and a very striking flavour.
As for the potatoes, we recommend you try the crique, which is a potato-based pancake that is served with vegetables and salads, and the bombine, which is slightly more caloric dish consisting in a melted potato casserole that is usually served at parties.
Where are the festivities?
Closely linked to its gastronomy, the Ardèche's festivities are known for their music, tradition and the typical dishes of this area.
There are many festivities in all its towns and villages, so when you travel, you will surely come across a celebration or festivity in your area!
Some of the most well-known of them, especially in the summer season, are the wool or blueberry festivals, which are very much related to that rural essence we were mentioning before.
Another of the most representative festivities is the squash festival, where you will surely have a great time with your family or friends.
