The Ardèche

Wild Ardèche

Shaped by water and volcanoes, the Ardèche abounds in unique places the like of which you have probably never seen before! Here “getting away from it all” has a meaning! Imposing unspoilt nature invites you to let go in the heart of heavenly sites for unforgettable moments contemplating breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views.

In the Ardèche, you can paddle, swim and dive in natural pools dug out by water over thousands of years. Not far from the holiday village are a host of places where you can swim in clear, limpid, streams. Our favourites are the Besorgues, which runs into the Volane which flows through Vals Les Bains before joining the Ardèche and the Sandron which runs through Ucel before joining the Ardèche.

From March to October, benefit from your stay at the Villa Mattheo’S village of holiday flats in Vals Les Bains to explore the wild landscapes and isolated villages in the Ardèche Mountains just an hour away. The views are exceptional!
The road via the 1.551m high Mont Gerbier de Jonc, source of the river Loire and Lake Issarlès – a lake in the crater of a volcano at an altitude of 1.000 meters with a sandy swimming beach – are the stuff memories are made of.

Visit the Ardèche in video:
Ardéchois Jones and The secret of the Arch
Ardéchois Jones and The Mystery of the Abbey

Ardèche Mountains

Besorgues river

View on the Volane river

Sompe waterfall

Bathing in the Volane river

Pissarelle waterfall

Besorgues river

Bathing in the Besorgues river

Wild River

Authentic Ardèche

The Ardèche conceals treasures which man has protected and put on display. Our heritage is unspoilt sites and villages, local produce and of course our delicacies.

Endowed with springs of mineral water, the Ardèche has 3 thermal spas including Vals Les Bains just 600 meters from the Villa Mattheo’S village of holiday flats. Ardèche wellbeing and spa cures are famous due to the purity of our waters and the benefits they provide.

The Ardèche “Villages of Character” reveal an architectural heritage with a powerful history. Characterized by an exceptional nature and the way it is used here (basalt flows, terrace farming, rocky outcrops…), lovers of old stones will be thrilled by the charm of our ancient Ardèche villages.

The diversity of nature in the Ardèche is impressive. From the Ardèche Mountains to the Ardèche river gorges, the grandiose landscapes change all the time as you venture along the local roads. And your adventures continue underground! The caves and shelters are a significant part of the natural heritage here. People who enjoy visiting world-famous sites will be impressed by the exceptional life size replica of the 36,000 year old wall paintings in the Chauvet Cave in Vallon Pont d’Arc. Many other caves (Aven d’Orgnac, Saint Martin d’Ardèche, Aven Marzal) will also take you back to prehistoric times.

Bathed by the Mediterranean climate and worked by its enthusiastic farmers, the soils of the Ardèche are ideal for growing vines, chestnuts and olives. Symbols of the Ardèche, their fruits generate a host of savours and flavours which also contribute to our rich heritage. Olive oils, Ardèche wines and marrons glacés are some of our “must” produce.

Pont d’Arc Cavern

Ardèche river gorges

The Pont d’Arc

Mont Gerbier de Jonc

Ray Pic waterfall

Largentière

Issarlès Lake

Pont du Diable

Ardèche Vineyards

Local products

Active Ardèche

For weekend players and great athletes alike, the Ardèche is an immense playing field for fun for all! From simple strolls to get a breath of fresh air to the most thrilling activities, everything is possible near our village of holiday flats.

A paradise for biking tourists – and our “107 year old world champion”! Explore the local biking circuits and trails.

The hikers who prefer to go further than our village of holiday flats and the Bois Vert, there is a wide choice of excursions with or without guides for walkers of every level. For circuits without a guide, contact the Aubenas-Vals-Antraigues tourist office. For rambles with a guide contact the Ardèche Randonnées association and particularly for outings with Nicolas Grisolle.

In the Ardèche the “must” experience is canoeing in the heart of nature! Very popular everywhere in the Ardèche, the Ardèche river gorges and Chassezac river gorges are the main spots. Every second of your trip will be magic! www.ardeche-canyon.com

Every year the Ardèche stages great sporting events. Benefit from your stay at the Villa Mattheo’S to thrill to these challenges as a spectator – or even as a competitor!
L’Ardéchoise bike race in June
The Ardèche Run in September
The Gorges de l’Ardèche marathon in November

Whatever the sport you choose, the places you will see will be spellbinding. Colours, perfumes, amazement and a real change of scene will hallmark your experiences in the middle of nature in the Ardèche.