The right tributary of the Rhone river, Ardeche is a 125 kilometers long river in south central France that was created in the mountains with the same name as one of the most impressive limestone gorges in Europe. The area got the nickname of  Vallon-Pont-d’Arc due to the starting point of the valley, Pont d’Arc, an astounding arch created by the river.

The area has one of the most rugged landscapes in France, with cliffs reaching 300 meters in places. In some stretches, the sides of the gorge are of a brilliant white, while in others they are in shades of ochre. The most famous feature is Pont d’Arc, near the head of the gorge, a 60 meters arch spanning the river, evidence that thousands of years ago the river flowed through underground caverns here, before erosion weakened their roofs and they collapsed.

The best way to see the gorge is from the road that parallels the top of the cliffs for most of the gorge’s length and offers frequent viewpoints, such as the Belvedere de Gournier. Still, the road is jammed with traffic in the summer, so if you really want to appreciate the real splendor of the river, make sure you are literally on the river. On high season, the river is packed with canoes, so try to plan your visit wisely.

If you want to enjoy your trip at the Gorges de l’Ardeche, you should visit the area in April, May or September. And if you intend to visit the area in the most original way, try to get on the flat-bottomed boats. The gorge is declared a Natural Reservation since 1980, so if you’re planning to settle down in the middle of nature for a couple of hours or for a night, make sure you respect the nature. And if you love the scenery, you should not miss Aven Orgnac, a wonderful cave located to the south of the gorge.

Image credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

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