Second Nature

In the 1960s Ardèche attracted the nature-loving French hippy set, but today, Kate McNally discovers that its diversity of landscapes are now beguiling and seducing visitors from across the world

- Kate McNally

Nestling between the Massif Central and the River Rhône in south central France, Ardècis a perfect haven of nature. It boasts a wild, rugged lands of canyons and caves which are ideal sports like climbing and potholing. There are its gently meandering valley rivers – ideal for gentle, rambling wal – and the eerie volcanic plateau to the west with its strange basaltic flows, lave domes and crater lakes which will have you wondering if you’ve been catapulted backwards (or forwards) in time to so unknown, enchanted epoch.

One of the principal reasons the natural beauty of Ardèche has endure through the millennia is its remote location locked into the French heart and more latterly its farming tradition Spend any time in the place and you soon learn that the indigenous people known as Ardéchois, are fiercely proud and protective of their land. Almost half of the department is covered by the Monts d’Ardèche regional nature park (now classified UNESCO Géopark) which a to protect flora and fauna and promo sustained economic development.

There are also 16 identified ENS ar (Espaces Naturels Sensibles) which a limits to the public, except for regula guided visits, in order to ensure the continued existence of thousands of rare species.