New Wine Routes to Follow - Three of the wine areas of the Ardèche will be joining up to form a new ‘Vignobles et Decouvertes’ route this year. The IGP Ardèche, AOP côtes du Rhône and AOP côtes du Vivarais have been united in this venture as they complement each other so well. This label was created in 2009 to unite wine and tourism areas that would provide a complete experience for the visitor. The Ardèche has 14 cooperatives, 60 wine-growers and of course a plethora of tourist attractions who will be working together to put the area in the forefront of the visiting public, create signage, make sure all the participants are on song as this label provides national and international validation to offer a product of absolute quality.
Cycle by rail - Whether you are in the South or the North of the Ardèche region, you can now cycle on the Vélorail des Gorges du Doux. A really fun way to get around, travel through viaducts and tunnels, through the Doux Gorges on bikes or little pedal cars on the Viaduct or Etroits.
A cycle with an ommph & an accelerator! Ardèche Trottinette and Ardèche Trott - the trottinette électrique – it is mountain bike wheels, brakes and an accelerator! Join Josée and Frank at the Domaine Le Grand Jardin to travel with your trottinette along the banks of the river Ardèche past beaches, vineyards and camping sites. From your base in St Privat or Vallon Pont d’Arc, explore the Coiron Massif and the Escrinet hill. Ardèche Trottinette - at Vallon Pont d’Arc / Ardèche Trott - at Saint Privat.
Water sports for all - Canoyak, Vallon Pont d’Arc – a fabulous four hour descent of the Ardèche River in a canoe by moonlight! A six kilometre descent of the black waters of the river gives a real adrenalin rush to the participants. The silence is only broken by the sound of beavers constructing their dams and the owls calling to each other. The memories will last a lifetime.
Compagnie de Canoë de Chassezac, Les Vans – There is not just the Ardèche River to explore by canoe, there is also the Chassezac to descend in a raft. Accompanied by a professional helmsman, it takes just an hour and a half to run the course of the rapids enjoying the scenery as well as the experience. There are some superb view points and hidden treasures that only your guide will reveal!
Confrérie des Bateliers de l’Ardèche, Ruoms – offer river rides in a boat on the Ardèche, something a little more unusual here than a canoe. Boats take up to four people along with your guide/boatman, the current assists them to descend the river. The scenery is gorgeous, the wildlife spectacular and the picnic stop lovely for a lunchtime dip in the refreshing water.
Ardèche Run – will take place on 24th September 2017 with a 22km course between Aubenas and Antraigues via Vals. This is not just a half-marathon but an adventure passing through the idyllic landscape of the Cevennes and including the ascent of the 485m of the Craux volcano. Children are allowed to accompany their parents on the last kilometre.
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Photo credit thanks to: Ardèche Tourisme / A. Renaud
Notes to Editors: Southern France is an umbrella association promoting the Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Vaucluse Provence, Vallée du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Wines. The four departments run across three different regions (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur – Auvergne Rhône Alpes – Languedoc Roussillon Midi Pyrénées), their collaboration enables visitors to discover a coherent geographic area along the Rhône Valley. Strong common themes are authentic and perched villages, great natural or architectural sites, outdoor activities and, of course, Rhône Valley vineyards. So think sunshine, authenticity, heritage, nature and the art of living which is of course - food and wine!