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Planning on visiting the Ardeche this summer and taking the road bike.
We'll likely select a place on Airbnb... but are unfamiliar with the Ardeche as we've never been to that part of France.
Any tips/recommendations for towns, villages or interesting places to stay, things to do, and good road cycling routes (I've had a look on RWGPS already, most stuff seems to be in the hills to the West of Privas).
Any info will be helpful...
It’s a long time since I’ve been but I really liked it. Stopped at Mazet Plage campsite as was on a climbing trip. Lovely gorges, steep roads in and out. Lovely little beaches by the river. Aubenas was the nearest town of reasonable size from memory. Oh and it can get pretty busy in summer but from memory not many brits (make of that what you will)
We spent a week in northern Ardeche last summer and enjoyed it very much, didn't venture down via pont du arc area but am led to believe it gets very busy in summer, if you prefer it quieter. I'd highly recommend the cevennes area, still has lots of high gorges and remote towns, with plenty of areas to road bike, but slightly quieter.
Did a week several years ago. Did the overnight sit-on-top canoe down the gorge, was great fun. September perfect time as still warm but no crowds. My better half did it again in August and crowds were pretty crazy. The area around Vallon is touristy but has lots of activities and restaurants. Agree if you want quiet relaxation head north or west. But if you have a week do ride the gorge road (D290) and take in the viewpoint stops. Les Vans area has some mountain biking, but all the hills have quiet rural mountain roads to tiny medieval villages. We rented bikes from AMC7 in Maison Neuve who were very good, so if you have any issues with your bike I would recommend them.
We stayed up the hill from a little medieval town called Largentiere. Food market, handful of good restaurants, but very few tourists compared with Vallon. You might get more options / better value looking for gites if you know a little French, e.g. through the tourist office, rather than airbnb.
Can heartily recommend a kayak trip from Vallon Pont D’Arc but it’s been few decades so probably much busier now! Some lovely swimming spots along the Gorges. Camping (nudiste!)if you fancy it along with some skinny-dipping.
Above the Gorges are some lovely spots, some of the cleanest air and pine forest, with crystal clear streams. I didn’t want to leave really. Medieval villages and sites aplenty. Also caves. Google is your friend.
Aiguèze is a stunning site.
Mazan (sp?) Abbey for a bit of history...
I did this event a few years ago, fantisic cycling, have a look at the website for some routes https://www.ardechoise.com/en
Do some canoeing - loads of places to hire from and you won’t regret it
Stayed in the region a few years ago, had a road bike and was good for that, I just mapped a few routes out rather than researching.
Did the 2 day Kayak decent of the Ardeche river and can highly recommend the experience and the guiding company we used https://www.the-outdoor-experience.co.uk/2-day-descent
Was there for the Canicule in July... best road ride of the year!
I pedalled out of St Martin D’Ardeche at 0630 up to Pont D’Arc for a coffee...
I didn’t see a single car the whole way there...a few hares and goats while the sun rose over my right shoulder.
Left Pont D’Arc at 0830 and it was already 28 degrees... more than happy to spin back the way I’d come, but wouldn’t have wanted to be out any later
Many thanks folks - some great info and ideas here.
Looking forward to going!
We spent a cracking 10 days in the Ardeche about five years ago, staying in a campsite just outside Lamastre. Beautiful part of France, and not dead touristy. We took road bikes and pretty much just followed our noses, but there are quite a few signed routes as they have a big annual cycling event (who's name escapes me).
I'd go back in a heartbeat.
*edit* It's called L'Ardechoise. The website for the routes within it is here. Be warned, it's a French website (i.e. dreadful)
https://en.carte.ardeche-guide.com/
We took an AirB&B place at La Bastide de Virac, not far from Vallon Pont D'Arc. It's one of numerous pretty old villages that've been scrubbed up (a bit too much in my opinion). Valon v. busy but lots of other nice towns to visit, especially Barjac and away from the Gorge itself its easy to find solitude.
Excellent cycling and walking thoughout. Lots of limestone pavement.
Very hot!
I've been twice, some mates have been many times. There is some amazing MTBing out there, but it's not that easy to find and, often isn't a loop. We even did a MTB route down Ventoux which was mildly hairy.
There's another short but wild trail round Val Gorge which is a tad exposed in places. Gave me the willies. And then there is one of my fav trails in the whole world finishing in Les Vans. That's one where you need vehicles both ends. It's worth it tho. A proper day out with a bit of everything.
Some fairly rubbish photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/albums/72157673493218440 of our second trip.
If you want some GPX's I can dig them out.
Oh sorry you said roads. Well if you change your mind ^^ 🙂
And yes it's lovely in September.
Just to say that we did actually go to the Ardeche and had a wonderful holiday - so many thanks to all to replied with ideas, locations etc.
We stayed near Aubenas, visited Vallon Pont d'Arc, swam in the Ardeche, biked, hiked, pic-nicced and generally had a great time.
We're now halfway through Quarantine having returned last weekend. 😐