Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and the Ardêche Gorges
European Grand Canyon
The Ardêche Gorges are a series of stunning Gorges along a 30k/18.6m section of the eponymous river, flowing from the Cévennes in the north, starting at Vallon Pont d’Arc and leading to St-Martin-d’Ardêche including two amazing and world renowned phenomena along the way.
First is the stunning Vallon Pont d’Arc, a short distance from the small town of the same name, which is a massive naturally formed Arch through which the river passes creating magnificent sandy beaches on each side. The Arch is 59m/194ft wide and 34m/112ft high at the top of the opening. This spot is a magnet for families during the Summer and a starting point for the daring souls who like to travel downstream in canoes!
Vallon is also home to the Chauvet Cave which is a World Heritage Site and contains some of the best Prehistoric figurative cave paintings in the world.
The second amazing phenomenon is the impressive Cirque de la Madeleine which can be viewed from the Balcon des Gorges des Templiers high above on the D290 Road running just north of the Gorges. This huge bend in the river with an extensive beach on the right bank make for an unforgettable sight from the viewpoint above.