Who says Ardèche necessarily says its unavoidable gorges. But, with the neighboring department of Drôme, these territories conceal many other more or less accessible treasures. Our columnist, Jean-Bernard Carillet, takes you on an expedition on Tuesday in the caves of Aven d'Orgnac and Cocalière, in swimsuits in wild rivers or on a motorcycle in the Ruoms parade. Without forgetting of course a stop by the Cité du chocolat!
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On the road to Ruoms
If you are in the mood for a walk, the Ardèche is for you. It is full of very beautiful scenic roads. The Ruoms gorge, following the D4, is a road carved into the cliff in the 19th century. It connects Ruoms to Aubenas and is made up of a succession of tunnels and vaults but also spectacular panoramas on the limestone cliffs and the Ardèche valley. A moment suspended between heaven and earth. It is an ideal place for a road trip by car or motorbike.
You can also discover the tourist route of the Gorges de l'Ardèche, between Vallon Pont d'Arc and St-Martin d'Ardèche. About 30 kilometers of pure happiness through the Garrigue. A grandiose spectacle, with equipped belvederes and a view of the Cévennes.
Melt for the City of Chocolate
During your stay, why not stop by the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona in Tain l'Hermitage? It is a must-see place for chocolate lovers in the Drôme. A paradise for food lovers. Be careful not to get caught up, you could plan to stay there for half an hour and spend the day there. The smell, upon entering, may intoxicate you. And how can you resist the chocolate fountain? Smell, touch… Space is much better than a museum, it's very interactive, fun, educational and gourmet.
You will be able to discover the manufacture of chocolate and all its uses in gastronomy, pastry making, baking, ice cream, etc. Multisensory animations, touch pads and interactive terminals will take you into the world of chocolate to better enjoy the 15 tasting points. Do not forget to stop in the square of the Sens, which makes discover the aromas and the taste. And to finish feeling like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , let yourself be amazed by the mini coating line.
Eyes full of stars
After you've flattered your smell and taste, why not delight your eyes? In the village of Sédéron on the edge of the Baronnies, to the east of the Drôme, you will have an unexpected chance to observe the starry sky. The reason is simple: the region is still wild, the village is isolated on a plateau at an altitude of 1,300 m, the sky is therefore exceptionally pure. And at night, no light pollution disturbs the observation of the sky.
You will be able to keep your head in the stars in all serenity, and in particular at the astronomical observatory, which is called the Cosmodrôme, in Barret-de-Lioure. Star nights on August 14, 15 and 16 are the perfect time to take a look through the lens of their telescopes at the top of Bergiès mountain. And if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, simply go to Barret-de-Lioure or Sédéron for a breath of fresh air. Its purity is famous for relieving diseases of bronchial tubes, which can not hurt.
Journey to the Center of the Earth
But the Ardèche can also be discovered underground. The basement of this department is a real Gruyère. Caves are often ideal places to cool off in these great heat. For example, this is the opportunity to discover Aven d'Orgnac.
© JEFF PACHOUD / AFP
But you can also venture into the Cocalière cave, in the southern Ardèche. This is an opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of a speleologist during the visit and to take a staircase that will take you 40 meters underground. The lighting of the premises highlights the calcite. Enough to give the cave a sometimes magical, sometimes ghostly aspect.
Turquoise waters and fishermen's haunts
If playing troglodytes does not tempt you, you can also seek freshness near the many rivers of the Ardèche. In the famous gorges of course, but which are sometimes a little crowded. So why not let yourself be tempted by Labeaume, a magnificent village hidden in a limestone plateau, with old Ardèche houses? The swimming site is below, in the middle of the gorges. The Beaume river flows in the middle of vertical walls, it gurgles, The only drawback: there are pebbles.
If you prefer more comfort, let yourself be tempted by a natural jacuzzi: the Trou de la Lune, in the Ibie valley, between Villeneuve-de-Berg and Vallon Pont d'Arc. The valley is gentler there, more discreet than the gorges of the Ardèche. It is a superb swimming area with a waterfall with turquoise water, nestled near the village of Saint Maurice d'Ibie.
But the Ardèche is also famous for its rivers full of fish. The north of the department is a paradise for trout enthusiasts, whether experienced or not. Issarlès Lake, located in an ancient volcanic crater, at an altitude of 1,000m, will allow you to go fishing for rainbow trout and arctic char, from the banks or on a boat. For lovers of "no kill", who therefore refuse to kill their catch, the Auzène river, in the center of the Ardèche, is full of very beautiful brown trout. Be careful, however, to release them!