The Ardeche, a region where medieval villages stand frozen in time. As a travel haven for families, going here outside the bustling summer months gives you the feeling of having this picturesque world all to yourself. The Ardeche has a warm place in our hearts since we came here as kids and got the opportunity to relive all of our favorite childhood experiences. We have some off the grid adventures that you can explore and we will show you the best things to do in the Ardeche region to ensure you have an amazing time!
10 things you must do during your Ardeche holiday
1. Kayaking the Chassezac
The Chassezac is a nice short kayaking tour of 2-3 hours on calm waters perfect for families with young adventurers. There are 2 routes, one from 7 and one from 10 kilometres long. Bonus: The Chassezac ends just before the beginning of the Regional Nature Park of the Ardeche, allowing your furry companion to join the fun!
2. Kayaking the Ardeche
Kayaking the Ardeche is a daytrip for the most adventurous souls! You can choose from various routes but for a full-day excursion, my recommendation is the 24 km route, or for those with well-trained arms, the challenging 32 kilometres.
Be aware that this is no serene kayaking experience like kayaking the Chassezac! The Ardeche’s river rapids guarantee a wet suit, and we’ve witnessed many tourists taking an unexpected plunge. Don’t paddle during a rapid, but focus on the steering!
The end point of the kayak tour is at Vallont Pont d’Arc, one of the most famous bridges in France thanks to its natural origin. Dogs are not allowed on this kayaking tour to preserve the Park’s natural integrity. However, if you have a small dog and visit during the off-season, they tend to turn a blind eye if you promise to be respectful to nature and keep your dog on a leash during breaks. Make sure to bring a floatable life jacket for your dog for safety reasons. If your furry friend isn’t fond of the water, it might be best to leave them behind for this exhilarating kayak tour!
3. Bois de Païolive
This hike offers an amazing view over the Chassezac canyon and is a true adventure to walk since you have to hop from rock to rock! There are three different hiking routes: the green one of 1,5 km which is a hike with various menhirs in all kinds of forms, the blue one of 5 km and the yellow one of 4 km. You can easily combine them, making it a 10 km hike with amazing views!
4. Vogüé village
Vogue Village is a charming old village where you can stroll around for an hour or two. As you wander, find the perfect spot to enjoy a picturesque lunch on the riverside. The best thing to do in Vogue: try some artisanal ice cream!
5. The Big Tree Hike
Let us show you one of the secret hikes in Sablieres that we discovered during our childhood holidays in the Ardeche. Begin your journey by stepping outside the camp site of La Drobie, where a small path upwards leads you past an old farm. Follow the one-way trail, turning left at the only split you’ll encounter (it’s a short walk of 100 meters over the road at the end). You’ll see a giant tree there where you can sit and enjoy the tranquil place for a while. It’s the perfect 3 hour warm up hike if you arrive here.
6. Joyeuse
This cheerful village comes alive every Wednesday with a bustling market. You can buy saucisses in an array of flavors from Provencal spices, to mushroom and cheese infused saucisses and taste some other French specialties. You can easily spent an hour or two here if you like strolling around at a market.
But Joyeuse has more to offer beyond the market hustle. If you park your car here at this bend of the road, a short 5 minute walk downhill will reveal a hidden oasis along the river. This is a perfect spot for an afternoon of rest. Climb the rocks, relax and for the adventurous spirits: jump of the rocks! Adventure reassured!
7. Walk to Thines
Embark on a captivating journey with a day trip to the mountain village of Thines. Ensure you’re well-prepared with snacks and water for the adventure that awaits. The hike commences near the esteemed ‘Auberge de Peyre’ restaurant. A quick 2-minute drive takes you to the designated parking lot, conveniently pinpointed on Google Maps: Thines Hike Starting Point
Thines boasts charming restaurants open from 14:00 to 18:00. Indulge your taste buds in the local specialty, ‘cake aux chataignes,’ a delightful pie crafted from fresh chestnuts. A pro tip: Plan your hike on any day except Monday, as Thines is closed, denying you the chance to savor its offerings. Given the Ardeche’s warmth, be prepared for occasional heat. You can choose several different routes back to the parking lot.
8. Self-Canyoning the La Drobie
This self-canyoning route is not for the faint hearted and I suggest to be well prepared, especially if you’re doing this with children. It’s going to be the biggest adventure of your holidays in the ardeche!
Basically, you’ll try to follow the La Drobie river. You can start at camping La Drobie. Even if you’re not a guest, feel free to enter the campsite and locate the trailhead. The adventure kicks off at the camsite’s riverfront pool. The route is simple: you just follow the river until you encounter a bridge/ At this point, ascend the bridge to start your return journey via a brief forest trail. (foto)
I suggest to do this canyoning with sturdy sandals, good swimwear and a compact drybag to safeguard your cellphone and a first aid kit. The climb can take up to 3 or 4 hours. You can also extend your adventure and pass the first bridge until you reach the second. However, that’s already a big walk back to the starting point! We did this canyoning tour for years with our family so if you have the right mindset, it’s perfectly doable with kids who are up for an adventure. But, even for adults, this is really a groundbreaking adventure!
9. BBQ on a camp site in the mountains
A place to enjoy the quietness and merge yourself with nature? Camping La Drobie in Sablieres is the place to be. This campsite is a one hour drive in the mountains and has no nearby shops so it’s wise to pack provision for several days. The campsite is in the middle of nature, and is one of the most beautiful accommodations we came across during our years of holiday in France. A BBQ on top of the mountains ensures a perfect holiday vibe!
10. Explore hidden places near the riverside
In this article, we have already shown you two hidden places near Joyeuse and Sablieres where you can spend an afternoon on the river. However, there are so much more places to discover in this region, so start exploring the area! Did you find some new places? Make sure to leave them in our comment section!
