Trip to the Ardeche

[Kipper]

Hi

 

Wanting to take our first trip overseas in our Motorhome and fancy The Ardeche sometime next summer.

 

Any recomendations or suggestions would be most appreciated such as sites and places to visit or avoid.

 

Thanks

[Mike B.]

There was a rapist on the loose down there in the summer/autumn attacking girls in caravans & tents. I think they caught him but not 100% sure. May be worth checking that out and avoiding that area.

Apart from that it's a lovely area with some good aires & sites-have a look on the link below.

Ardeche is Department 07

Mike

 

http://www.campingcar-infos.com/index1.htm

[Tracker]

We followed the Loire from Tours to it's source in the Ardeche Mountains in September last year spending about three weeks hopping from Aire to Aire many of which were free.

 

It is a great part of France to visit, scenic, not too busy, warm climate, no rain and we enjoyed it very much.

 

May well return but with so much more still to see we are spoilt for choice!

[Kipper]

Thanks, sounds like a great area to be considering.

[hallii]

Lots of canals, good bike tracks, plenty of Aires, and the Police have arrested a "suspect" for the rapes.

 

H

 

Edit : I just realized it's your first time, so the Ardeche is a very good choice, many towns, villages and cities are worth a visit, most will have a Information office and that is always the first place we call in to.

They will have lots of info., as you would expect! Much of it in English.

Rural France has a laid back feel to it and crime "in the sticks" is a rare thing. Always obey the speed limits, Mssr Le Flick (Police) are very hot on speeding.

 

If there is no Information office the local "Marie" (Town Hall) will answer most questions, and they often have wifi.

 

Aldi and Lidl abound and are by far the cheapest places to shop, big supermarket fuel is cheap and some even have water and dumping points.

 

You will find a selection of water tap connectors useful and maybe a water container or two, French gas is in French bottles so either take enough with you or plan on buying one of theirs. Camping Gaz is available from supermarkets and is about the most expensive way to buy gas.

 

You might need some electrical connectors/converters but many places now use the "Blue PLug" common over here.

 

Just be relaxed, go steady, stop when you feel like it and remember that if a place has an Aire then the locals think it is worth visiting, and they are often right.

 

Before this turns into a full blown travel guide I will sign off!

 

H

[Patricia]

Kipper - 2012-11-14 5:17 PM

 

Hi

 

Wanting to take our first trip overseas in our Motorhome and fancy The Ardeche sometime next summer.

 

Any recomendations or suggestions would be most appreciated such as sites and places to visit or avoid.

 

Thanks

 

I wonder if you are meaning the Ardeche departement or the Ardeche River?

[Monman]

The Ardeche gorges are spectacular,often called Europe's Grand canyon.There are aires at Vallon Pont d'Arc at the top end and at St Martin at the bottom end.Lots of campsites all round the area.

It gets very busy in the summer so if using campsites it's best to book.Canoeing is very popular down the gorge.

[Mel B]

The Ardeche gorge is wonderful, both from above (driving along the road) and from below (on the river itself), however be aware that you do need to be careful when riving along the road so that you don't get too distracted by the wonderful views and also you have to keep a watch out for the wild goats that wander all over the place! We've done it a few times now, the last time being in May this year and we were still excited to see it! The road has been improved a lot and there are lots of safe stopping places now but I would allow probably all day to drive it from one end to the other as you'll spend ages just oggling at the views and it you get a good spot for lunch you'll just want to stay put! :-D

 

We also did the gorge in a canoe, from Vallon Pont d'Arc to St Martin-d'Ardeche and it was lovely, but at 27km with over 8 hours sat in a canoe in the blazing sun we were exhausted, very wet (having gone over on one of the rapids) and had severe sunburn (indeed hubby had 2nd degree burns to his legs, ankles and feet!). Would do it again - you bet ya, but at least I'd be more aware of what to be prepared for and take the necessary precautions.

 

The aire at Aigueze on the opposite side of the Ardeche to St Martin (just go across the bridge ... if you dare!) is lovely, and its nice to have a potter down into the village and up onto the outcrop/cliffs over the gorge - just ensure that you don't take your dogs up there without their leads on as you suddenly come across the drop!!!!