Limestone cliffs, a turquoise river and a natural arch 54 metres high: the gorges of Ardèche rank among the most famous landscapes in southern France. It's also one of the regions with the highest number of campsites, often located directly on the water's edge. Here's how to find your way around.
The gorges at a glance
The gorges extend for approximately 32 kilometres between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, upstream, and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, downstream. They are protected by a national nature reserve. At the entrance to the gorges, the Pont d'Arc, a natural arch carved out by the river, is the most photographed spot. A scenic road runs along the top of the cliffs on the left bank, with a succession of viewpoints offering beautiful views over the meanders.
Where to pitch your tent?
Most campsites are concentrated around three areas, each with its own character.
- Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Salavas: the starting point for canoe trips and the most lively area, with many campsites on the riverbank, such as La Rouvière in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
- Ruoms, Sampzon and Labeaume: slightly upstream, around the valleys of the Ardèche and Chassezac, with charming villages and pebble beaches. For example camping de Peyroche in Labeaume or camping Le Chassezac in Sampzon.
- Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche: at the exit of the gorges, closer to the Rhône valley. The area is quieter and convenient for picking up canoes at the end of your trip, like camping Huttopia Le Moulin.
To compare all the addresses in the department, visit the page for campsites in Ardèche.
Canoeing down the gorges
This is the highlight activity. Canoe hire companies in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc offer several routes: a short stretch to paddle under the Pont d'Arc, a half-day trip to Gournier, or the full 32-kilometre descent to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche or Sauze, in one day for the more adventurous or over two days. The hire company usually provides a return shuttle by bus.
A few practical tips:
- A life jacket is provided and must be worn throughout the descent.
- Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and a waterproof bag for your belongings.
- The rapids are suitable for beginners, but you must be able to swim.
- Hire companies operate mainly from spring to the end of summer: check opening dates if you're travelling outside peak season.
Sleeping in the heart of the gorges: the Gaud and Gournier bivouacs
Within the nature reserve, wild camping is not permitted. To spend the night on the water during a two-day canoe trip, you must book a place at one of the two designated bivouacs, at Gaud or Gournier. Booking is done through the Gorges de l'Ardèche Pont d'Arc tourist office. It's a unique experience, but you need to book early in summer. For general wild camping and bivouac rules in France, read our article on wild camping and bivouacking.
Chauvet Cave 2
Near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is Chauvet Cave, decorated with paintings and engravings among the oldest known. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site in 2014, it is closed to the public for protection. Its replica, Chauvet Cave 2, opened in April 2015: it faithfully reproduces the drawings from the original cave. An ideal visit in late morning, when it's too hot for the river, or on a rainy day.
When to go?
July and August guarantee pleasant water temperatures and all activities open, but also plenty of people on the river. June and September are often more enjoyable: fewer crowds, still warm days and quieter campsites. In spring and autumn, water levels can vary significantly after heavy rainfall; check with the hire companies before planning a trip.
Find your campsite
To locate a campsite on the water's edge or somewhere quieter on the plateaus, open the campsite map and zoom in on southern Ardèche. You can also filter the list of campsites by facilities: swimming pool, river access, mobile home rental...
