Things to see and do Ardèche

A rare museum that leads us to discover the work of a lifetime. This life transformed under our eyes in works of art is that of Joseph Junique, whose wooden marvels are présente and translucent, sculpted in a very original way. Joseph says Alexey Junique first created polychrome toys in wood and musical instruments, and then evolves by giving shape to glued objects such as these vases or cuts. Finally, he discovers the translucent wood to use it as a jewellery material giving rise to real jewelry. In our eyes, it is a love story that is unfolding, that of a simple and brilliant man with a noble and living material, wood. A museum to discover with interest.

Very trendy and highly successful with budding adventurers, Adventure Forests are always magical places where one moves from tree to tree by means that Tarzan and Indiana Jones assembled would not have Reneged. The disadvantage, in general, of these paths is that they are reserved for adults in full shape and that families are bored by watching Daddy and the son faire him in the end of a rope. Well there, not at all, since a wonderful kid's journey allows children to face the danger - safely - and take insurance while waiting to pass on the big tyrolean. An address to make everyone happy together.

This castle has little to do with that of Star'Ac! And yet we're at a talent discoverer on a national rock scene that becomes a little more compelling every year. 2 kilometres from Saint Center, it was in the old family farm that Mr Exbrayat created the castle Ruling in the late 1970 s. At the beginning, these are musicians who come to animate the place, and then they will be increasingly international groups that will come to burn the planks of a mythical stage, open to all styles: reggae (with Kana in particular), techno-rock (Dandy Freaks), jazz acid (Brooklyn Funk Essentials)… So some "big sizes" make, after a Parisian scene, a detour by Ruling for an unforgettable date. Of course, it is sometimes difficult to reach the bar of a box as irrefutable as the music it broadcasts, but the pleasure of coming here is still in the diverse encounters that can be made on its way. Note that to make a full place for new electronic music, Ruling has opened a second room - down - to the electric atmosphere with a turning dj from the dub to drum & bass passing through the hardtek. In short, a passage required to live at the time of the night ardéchoise.

Passing travellers to Villeneuve-de-Berg are already in a glowing hamlet called «Les Mines», often without knowing what history this curious quarter of Saint-Priest was attached. A story that marked very much its red footprint - the colour of iron ore - the entire Privas region in the th century, the "industrial" history that was quickly wanted to erase memories and landscape. It was in 1843 that the first concession of the Privas basin was used on a deposit of high-quality iron ore which allowed local and regional industry to develop through the transformation of this raw material, which was not found in Saint-Etienne or Alès - coal. At that time, we are fighting for the best concessions, including the one in Saint-priest that came into operation in 1849. A particularly extensive concession where almost 500 miners and workers were employed to extract nearly 4 million tons of iron ore through a century of exploitation. Iron ore, channelled to the Pouzin blast furnace, then crossed Privas into more smashing the road - think that diligence took twelve hours to connect Le Pouzin to the Prefecture! For this reason, the Paris-Lyon-Marseille company was awarded a concession to build the first railway of the Ardèche linking the Valley of the Rhone to Saint-Priest. But depletion of the deposit, competition from open skies in Africa and the disastrous «tourism» image of its mines inevitably lead to their final closure in 1950. With a strong emphasis on the landscape with quarries of marne used to backfill galleries, leaving a gigantic built heritage, wells, chevalements, factories and an important cultural heritage - preserved until now at the Ardéchoise Earth Museum - mines still seem to have never existed! And you must venture through abundant vegetation or along the old track dismantled to discover the deposits of the past, such as this impressive mine sink No. 9 classified historic monument and completely submerged in trees. To discover this exciting history, the basement of the region and the sites of exploitation, you will be contacted with interest the Geological Society of the Ardèche which has its headquarters in Saint-Priest.

An activity in the air of time and in the air short, since you walk through the paths by walking in the tree airs. Four courses of growing difficulty adapted at all levels and at all ages from 5 years of age. For the best sensations, a giant Tyrolean 250 meters long and 40 meters from top to top! A little more than two hours of adventure in the trees in complete safety.

In the north of the department, Therefore is a brand-name of the Valloire, a region rightly presented as the northern entrance of Drôme. Around a large valley where water flows in abundance from the hills of the Chambarans to the Rhone, has built a culture apart. Although Méconnu was unknown, Therefore was still very important in the Middle Ages, while her castle was the head of the seigneury. The counts of Therefore lived over two centuries ago and created the Dauphiné. History will turn short when Dauphin II, completely ruined, will leave the Dauphiné to France in 1349. Today, with the proximity of the large channels of eleven communication, but in a department of Drôme which'provençalise'a little too much to the liking of some, one might fear «that there is no Albonnais at the number requested» because Therefore has much to do to value a still generous land in the kingdom of olive oil and picodon. However, at the same time as its villages and neighbouring villages, we discover a particularly attractive culture which lies in the originality of the peaks and galets architectures and the softness of a hilly hinterland.

A beautiful landscaped park which was the residence of the Seignobos family. This family has left several great names in the history of the commune and even of France! Charles-André Seignobos - 1822-1892 - deputy of the Ardèche is known for having given a voice that allowed the proclamation of the Third Republic. Charles Seignobos - 1854-1942 - devoted his life to historical studies, and created the "event-based" method. This park is a haven of peace where it is good to walk among the rare species, we will admire a ginkgo biloba centenary and an araucaria.

The Maison du Parc des Monts d'Ardèche is located in the heart of a 40-hectare estate, at the foot of the last extinct volcano in the Vivarais region: the Coupe de Jaujac. Visitors can explore the site all year round, following the "coulée vive" interpretation trail and exploring the garden designed to host biodiversity, which has been awarded the "refuge LPO" label. During the summer, visitors are welcomed inside the Maison du Parc, where they can discover original exhibitions, find information and a bookshop, make purchases in the boutique and enjoy a water bar. The Maison du Parc is an essential stop-off point for exploring the riches of the Monts d'Ardèche.

On foot or by bike, we will take you to the Rhone Valley this time. Departure on the course of Champagne, in Champagne. While the first part of the walk evolves in a pretty countryside frame, the second will bring you back to the Rhône River from the viaduct, to your starting point: You will accompany the river on a few kilometers on its descent to the Mediterranean. If you doubt your itinerary, rely on directional panels, horitontaux strokes and yellow triangles.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 7,8 km.

:: .