Discovery

Discover the Ardèche gorges: river, plateau and caves

By Le Mas d'Eylieux teamPublished on 28 July 2026Updated on 6 October 20263 min

Kayaks on the river under the Pont d’Arc arch

The gorges can be explored from the river, from the plateau or on foot. These exits have neither the same access nor the same difficulty. First choose the day that corresponds to your group; the others can wait until the next day.

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Choose the outing that suits the group

Your desire	Effort and access to review	Reservation or preparation	What can change the choice
Paddle the river	Swimming, age, endurance, briefing and shuttle	Route chosen with the rental company ; separate night for two days	Weather, flow and professional decision
See the canyon from the plateau	Route, park and walk at every stop	Some lookouts with verified access	Heat, visibility and traffic
Walk in the gorges	Rocky passages, fords and return of a linear route	Official topo and preparation	Water level, terrain and access restrictions
Visit a cave	Steps and mobility depending on the site	Adapted ticket and slot	Opening of the site and security of the journey

Choose a line for the day, then keep the rules and details in the corresponding guide.

On the water: from short outing to crossing

A mini-descent around the Pont d’Arc et Chames allows you to approach the arch without crossing the entire reserve. A crossing around 24 km requires a more committed day. Over two days, the night is reserved for Gaud or Gournier.

Compare departure, arrival, total duration, equipment and shuttle with the professional. Consult the canoe route guide, then conditions with children or the organization of bivouacs. The weather and the flow can make navigation impossible: an early morning departure is no guarantee of a calm river.

For a swim, choose a beach and its updated information. The rules for swimming in gorges distinguish between seasonal monitoring, water quality and local restrictions.

From the plateau: the road and its stops

The D290 connects the Vallon-Pont-d’Arc sector to Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche with viewpoints on the meanders. Serre de Tourre, Gournier, la Madeleine or Ranc-Pointu can make an outing of a few stops. Prepare parking, exposure to heat and access according to mobility.

Our lookout guide helps to choose the direction of travel. For the Pont d’Arc itself, see parking, shuttle and access : it is not the same stop as all the road points of view.

The reserve regulations notably prohibits fires, abandoned waste, drones and camping outside designated areas. A vehicle parked on a viewpoint cannot be used as a bivouac.

On foot: take the passages seriously

The trails at the bottom of the canyon are sporty hikes. Their fords, ladders or rocky passages are prepared with the topos and water conditions. They are not all passable all year round; return must be organized for linear routes.

The ideas for walking around Saint-Montan also include exits outside the canyon. Check the exact departure and access restrictions to the massifs. A village walk may suit the group while a gorge trail does not.

A cave to change your perspective

Chauvet 2 presents a replica of the ornate cave, while Saint-Marcel, Orgnac and Madeleine are developed natural cavities. Their stairs, tickets and visiting times differ. Find the comparison of caves, the Chauvet guide 2 and that of Saint-Marcel.

The underground visit can be an option by strong heat, after checking the openness and accessibility. It does not make travel safe during a severe weather alert.

Several days from the same accommodation

One week with only one accommodation leaves time for a river day, another on the plateau and breaks. The choice of period and August organization also count, without promising a water level or low attendance.

The Mas gîtes are in Saint-Montan; Vallon is approximately 35–40 minutes away depending on traffic and arrival point. The swimming pool opens from mid-May to September depending on the weather. Indicate your dates and your needs to prepare accommodation; Activities and transport must be booked separately.

Aerial view of the stone buildings, trees and swimming pool of the Mas — The Mas in Saint-Montan: a starting point for distinct outings, without changing accommodation.

Practical questions

How to see the gorges without paddling?

The tourist route and its viewpoints allow you to discover the canyon from the plateau. Prepare some stops and their access points. Hikes at the bottom of the gorges require a suitable water level and conditions.

Should you visit everything in one day?

One main exit and a few stops are enough for an overview. Canoeing, cave and hiking can each take half a day or more; distribute them according to tickets, routes and the energy of the group.