The Plateau Ardéchois
The Plateau Ardéchois – land of volcanoes and trout rivers
Calling all nature enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors - the Plateau Ardéchois, an emblematic area of the Massif Central is waiting for you ! This volcanic landscape is in the western part of the Ardèche, bordering Haute-Loire and Lozère. It altitude ranges from 800m to 1,753m and its highest point, Mont Mézenc, has splendid panoramic views as far as the Alps. The highest village of Ardèche, Lachamp-Raphaël, is at 1,329m altitude.
Enjoy the fresh air and diverse scenery at any time of year. The spectacular pine and beech forests, vast meadows and moorland dotted with broom will take your breath away.
Follow the Route des Sucs, an astonishing chain of extinct volcanoes including Mont Gerbier de Joncs (1,551m) and part of the dividing range between the Atlantic and Mediterranean drainage basins. The Loire, the longest river in France rises at the foot of Mont Gerbier de Joncs.
All the rivers in this unspoilt countryside are category 1, a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Fly fishermen can flush out brown trout, the ‘king’ of the Ardèche mountains, at catch and release sites. The splendid plateau is an ideal place for a wide range of outdoor sports : walks of varied length and difficulty, e-biking, walks with donkeys, and for the more energetic, road cycling, mountain biking (a track of over 300km runs the length of Ardèche, ideal for experienced mountain bikers), paragliding, canyoning, and lots more.
What to see and do on the Plateau Ardéchois in winter and spring
In winter, the high plateaux are an amazing winter playground when there is snow, offering plenty of fun activities for all the family. Enjoy the beautiful, unspoilt scenery on a snowshoe walk (night time walks are magical), go cross-country skiing, downhill skiing (ski resort at Croix de Beauzon), Nordic skiing, tobogganing and dog sledding.
There is water everywhere on the Plateau Ardéchois. The wetlands and peatbogs have a very high level of biodiversity and are absolute musts to explore, as is the magnificent volcanic lake of Issarles (138m deep), one of the many lakes on the Plateau.
The area is also extremely rich in wildlife and it is possible to see golden eagles, peregrine falcons and griffon vultures in flight and to catch sight of otters and marmots.
In spring and early summer, the countryside is carpeted with multi-coloured flowers as far as the eye can see. Don’t forget to enjoy local food specialities which include maôche, cheese, charcuterie, mushrooms, blueberries, not forgetting AOP Fin Gras du Mézenc (beef).
The Plateau Ardéchois in summer : swimming, walking and local sight-seeing
When it is hot in the valleys, cool off in the lakes of the Plateau Ardéchoise : Lac de St Martial, Lac de Devesset, Lac de Coucouron, Lac de Lapalisse and famous Lac d’Issarlès. Don’t miss the firework display over Lac d’Issarles on 14 July, it’s amazing ! Tchier de Borée, next to Mont Mézenc, is an unusual place to visit : a contemporary work created by two stone carvers, comprising 64 engraved stones which make up a giant calendar. The spectacular waterfall at Cascade du Ray-Pic is also a must.
The Plateau Ardèchois has lots of interesting traditional buildings too, like the 17th century Ferme du Bourlatier with its 900m² lauze stone roof and the Ferme de Clastres with its thatched broom roof. The Abbey of Notre Dame des Neiges and the ruins of the Abbaye de Mazan are worth a stop as is the Auberge de Peyrebeille, the famous ‘Auberge rouge’. There are plenty of events all year round on the Plateau : Marché de la Myrtille (blueberry market) in August at Mézilhac, kite festival at Lachamp Raphaël in August, L’Ardéchoise cycle race in June, Grand Défi Blanc winter sports challenge in January, La Tanarguette snowshoe challenge in February, to name but a few.
Lakes, rivers, waterfalls… we’re not talking about Canada or Connemara here, but much nearer home : the Plateau Ardéchois ! Add to that, volcanic ‘sucs’, forests and peat bogs and you have an unspoilt universe, rich in wildlife. Make a date with this land of serenity, relaxation, fresh air and space; you will love its traditions and tranquillity. Personally, I wouldn’t change anything about it ! (Isabelle Romieux, owner of « Les Balmoryes » gite at Lachapelle Graillouse)
Continue your tour of Ardèche by going eastwards to the Massif du Coiron
Coming from the Rhône Valley via A7, take N104 then N102 towards Le Puy en Velay.
2¾ hours from Lyon, 1¾ hours from St Etienne, 2½ hours from Grenoble, 1 hour from Puy en Velay
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Epicéas et Digitales
in Freycenet-la-Cuche - Haute-Loire
Our new accommodations
Lodging
Le Petit Soulier
in LABASTIDE SUR BESORGUES - Ardèche
