Gorges de l’Ardèche «Grand Site»
Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Protected by staggering limestone cliffs, the Ardèche Gorges are a natural sanctuary where remarkable biodiversity flourishes. Open to the public, this unique setting is a hub of nature-based activities to raise awareness about the environment, and aims to become a laboratory for sustainable cohabitation between humans and nature.
© Matthieu Dupont
Close your eyes. Imagine a wild and deep canyon, 30 kilometres long, built over 6 million years on the remains of an inland sea... Vertiginous cliffs. And at the bottom, a river glistening in the sunlight. In front of you, the cirque of Gaud and the Autridge cliff, the grandiose meanders of the Ardèche with its astonishing depth and the Chauvet cave. Today, this protected and managed territory, which is home to a vast nature reserve, is visited by more than one and a half million people every year. The Grand Site is the scene of outdoor activities and a privileged place for raising awareness of the environment among a vast public. It is a laboratory for the cohabitation of man and nature. An initial operation has enabled the recreation of integrated belvederes, allowing the contemplation of the great landscapes. The current development project aims to better highlight the unique Pont d'Arc, to limit the impact of the car, and to harmonise tourist signage. The challenges of developing the territory to better protect, to take the time, and to visit in a different way, at the rhythm of the landscapes, the Ardèche gorges.