Vallon Pont d’Arc

Spectacular natural site on the Ardèche

At Vallon Pont d’Arc, the Ardèche took several millennia to sculpt the rock and dig a natural arch of spectacular dimensions. This arch now serves as a gateway to the Gorges de l’Ardèche, wild and winding gorges. It is in Vallon Pont d’Arc, a few km from the Domaine de Gaujac, that we discovered the Chauvet cave and its prehistoric murals of rare richness. A facsimile of the cave is now open to the public so that they can appreciate the incredible historical value of this site.

The Pont d’Arc in Vallon Pont d’Arc

5km from Vallon Pont d’Arc, just at the entrance to the Ardèche gorges, stands a gigantic natural arch, unique in its kind: the Pont d’Arc. Shaped by nature and the river over millennia, this geological curiosity is a must-see site in the Ardèche. Experts estimate its formation to be at least 500,000 years old. Culminating at a height of 54 metres and 60 metres wide, the Pont d’Arc is a must-see for sailors who set off to tackle the Ardèche gorges in canoes and kayaks. It is also an ideal setting for bathers who appreciate its upstream and downstream beaches. Many hiking trails have been laid out in the surrounding area and offer hikers breathtaking panoramas. The Pont d’Arc is also the starting point of an international marathon, which attracts thousands of kayakers in the autumn.