Small medieval-style houses, panoramic viewpoints at altitude over the Alps, flower-filled streets, granite stone... The villages of Ardèche are full of charm.
With its territory covered by 45% forest, it is one of the most wooded departments of France.
Perfect for sunny walks in spring, Ardèche has a myriad of quiet and charming villages where you can recharge your batteries.
To discover
Stays in France: weekends, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners
We have selected five, from the south to the north of the department.
Less than 150 km from Marseille and Lyon, our list extends from the ancient chestnut tree of Désaignes to the winding roads of Antraigues-sur-Volane.
To enjoy this atmosphere, it is advisable to visit its villages out of season, to avoid the summer crowds.
Especially since Ardèche is the only French department without a passenger station, you must necessarily get there by car, at best from the stations of Montélimar or Valence, for example.
Désaignes, the most medieval
Désaignes, Ardèche Picasa / Mag.dc - stock.adobe.com
Désaignes is an old feudal stronghold of Vivarais, in the Doux valley.
Its historic center is very well preserved, with picturesque streets, old Gothic residences, shops, and ramparts with a medieval atmosphere.
The medieval ensemble is listed as a Historic Monument and includes three monumental access doors, dated 1380.
The Porte du Bourg de l'Holme, which opens onto the village square, still retains its machicolations and its watchtower.
This door was used at the time by lookouts.
Commune of the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park, Désaignes has a dynamic rural life which is felt in its landscapes.
There are orchards, terraced crops and pastures filled with herds of goats, whose breeding is a local specialty.
The town is also home to a thousand-year-old chestnut tree, a symbol of this region and which is considered the largest and oldest tree in Ardèche.
Chalencon, the most panoramic
Chalencon, Ardèche Didier San Martin - stock.adobe.com
A spectacular view of the Eyrieux valley.
This is what Chalencon offers, perched on a rocky cone to the south of the Vernoux-en-Vivarais plateau.
Surrounded by a church, the traditional village has cobbled streets and old granite stone houses with mullioned windows.
From its summit, we contemplate a green landscape made up of centuries-old chestnut groves, meadows, steep cliffs and cultivated dry stone terraces.
The Vercors, the Alps and even Mont Mézenc can be seen in the distance.
For a total immersion in this nature, the “Dolce Via”
track
is ideal.
Located below the village, it allows you to travel 90 kilometers of tranquility along the Eyrieux, by hiking, mountain bike or VTC.
Antraigues-sur-Volane, the most famous
Antraigues-sur-Volane, Ardèche Pictures news - stock.adobe.com
Because you have to travel a winding road to get there, Antraigues-sur-Volane is worth it.
A route which offers a breathtaking view of the Volane valley.
Raised on a basalt rock, this village is located in the center of the country of the Young Volcanoes of Ardèche.
Its atmosphere is serene with its lush nature, its granite houses and its red tile roofs.
The shaded cobbled streets lead to original discoveries, such as the town hall decorated with seventy heads sculpted by residents in 1995. One of them is said to be a representation of the singer Jean Ferrat.
Seduced by the village, the artist settled there in the sixties and never left.
He even immortalized it in his song “La Montagne”, thus becoming an anthem for the inhabitants of Antraigues.
To see: Jean Ferrat’s house
Having become a cultural space, Jean Ferrat's house traces the work of the singer-songwriter and recounts his convictions and commitments.
Imagined by his wife Colette, this living space hosts concerts, readings, exhibitions and even workshops all year round.
Entrance: €6 for those over 18. Maison Jean Ferrat, place de la Résistance, 07530 Antraigues-sur-Volane.
V
o
güé, the most photogenic
Vogüé, Ardèche PlanetLoverPhotograp - stock.adobe.com
In Vogüé, a charming medieval village, time seems to have frozen in the Middle Ages.
It stands like an amphitheater at the foot of a cliff, on the banks of the Ardèche river.
We recognize Vogüé thanks to the imposing towers of its castle, typical of the style of the bastides of Oc.
The village also has a Mediterranean atmosphere, with its beach along the river and its narrow houses.
The must-sees: its castle, transformed into a fort in the 17th century, its superb hanging garden and a visit to the Romanesque Sainte-Cerice chapel, also called “Gleyzette”.
Built into the rock, the building is accessed by a path marked in yellow and white, offering a perfect view to capture the village after sunset.
Labeaume, the most artistic
Labeaume, Ardèche philippe paternolli - stock.adob
In the heart of the Gorges de l'Ardèche, Labeaume is surrounded by holm oaks, olive trees and prickly pears.
Its limestone cliffs pierced by troglodyte caves mark the decor.
This feudal city overlooks its river “la Beaume”.
Forgotten for a time, today it attracts craftsmen and artists, such as the painter Jacques Kikoïne, nicknamed Yankel.
Inspired by this setting, these works are exhibited around the world.
The village is an ideal model for a painter, with its alleys and flowery cobblestones.
We also discover century-old plane trees on the Place du Sablas, artisan shops, a small bridge with eleven arcades, the hanging gardens of Récatadou and a fig tree conservatory.
To admire the view, you have to go to the belvedere at the top of the cliffs (15 minutes on foot), offering the best panorama of the village.
In summer, it is also possible to enjoy the
“Labeaume en musiques” festival.
The
next edition will be held from May 31 to June 16, 2024.
In video
- Did you know?
Ardèche is the only French department not served by trains