The Ardèche, the Ardèche Gorges, Pont d'Arc, camping, kayak, Astet,Pont-Saint-Esprit,
Ardèche
ArdèchePontD'Arc.jpg
The Pont d'Arc over the Ardèche River.
Country France
Physical characteristics
Main source Massif Central
44.7°N 4.04473°E
River mouth Rhône
44°15′52″N 4°38′53″ECoordinates: 44°15′52″N 4°38′53″E
Length 125 km (78 mi)
Discharge
Average rate:
65 m3/s (2,300 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression Rhône→ Mediterranean Sea
Basin size 2,430 km2 (940 sq mi)
The Ardèche (Occitan: Ardecha) is a 125-kilometre (78 mi) long river in south-central France, a right-bank tributary of the River Rhône. Its source is in the Massif Central, near the village of Astet. It flows into the Rhône near Pont-Saint-Esprit, north-west of Orange. The river gives its name to the French department of Ardèche.
The valley of the Ardèche is very scenic, in particular a 30-kilometre (19 mi) section known as the Ardèche Gorges. The walls of the river here are limestone cliffs up to 300 metres (980 ft) high. A kayak and camping trip down the gorge is not technically difficult and is very popular in the summer. The most famous feature is a natural 60-metre (200 ft) stone arch spanning the river known as the Pont d'Arc (arch bridge).
Towns and communes
Ardèche floods,Ardèche travel,
Ardèche tourism,
Ardèche hotels,
Ardèche holiday,
Ardèche resort,
Ardèche landmarks,
Ardèche weather,
Ardèche economy,
Ardèche storm,
Ardèche flood,
Ardèche River near Aubenas
Part of the Ardèche River
Gorges de l'Ardèche - The Gorges de l’Ardèche (Ardèche Gorge) is located between the villages of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. The road along the north rim of the gorge (the Corniche) has views into the gorge and over the river.
Pont d'Arc (arched bridge) - A natural stone bridge across the river near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc forms the natural to the Gorges de l'Ardèche.
Chauvet Cave - This limestone cave, which is named after its discoverer, is in the Gorges de l'Ardèche. It contains early Stone Age cave paintings of great variety and expressiveness. Since the cave is not open to the public, photographs of cave paintings are displayed in an exhibition in Vallon-Pont d'Arc.
Ardèche River panorama
The Ardèche flows through the following departments and communes:[1]
Ardèche Department (named after the river):
Astet (source)
Mayres (Le Lignon joins)
Barnas
Thueyts
Pont-de-Labeaume (La Fontolliere joins)
Lalevade-d'Ardeche (right bank)
Vals-les-Bains (left bank) (La Volane joins)
Labégude (right bank)
Ucel (left bank)
Saint-Privat (left bank) (Le Luol joins)
Aubenas (right bank)
Saint-Didier-sous-Aubenas
Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon (right bank)
Vogüé
Lanas (right bank)
Saint-Maurice-d'Ardeche (left bank) (L'Auzon joins)
Balazuc
Chauzon (right bank)
Pradons (left bank)
Ruoms (left bank)
Labeaume (right bank) (La Ligne joins)
Saint-Alban-Auriolles (right bank) (La Beaume and La Cassezac joins)
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (left bank) (L'Ibie joins)
Salavas (right bank)
Labastide-de-Virac (right bank)
Saint-Remèze (left bank) (Gorges de l'Ardeche)
Bidon (left bank)
Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche (left bank)
Saint-Just-d'Ardèche (left bank)
Gard Department
Le Garn (right bank)
Aiguèze (right bank)
Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas
Saint-Paulet-de-Caisson