La Cigale de l'Allier

Along with the river fishing right alongside, stacks of splendid days are within a short drive of this scenic site, such as teeing off at the local golf course four kilometres away, sailing and canoeing on Naussac lake (also four kilometres) and tackling the Rondin des Bois adventure course (six kilometres). Also actively, have a day or more rafting, climbing or hiking in the Monts d'Ardèche Natural Regional Park (20 kilometres), or get to the region's gorges for canoeing among spectacular scenery: Gardon is 38 kilometres from local town Lagogne; Tarn 54 and the Gorges de l'Ardeche 56. For a slice of history, try the Spinning Mill of Calquieres (one kilometre) or the Château de Luc (10 kilometres), built in the 12th century and passed by Robert Louis Stevenson on his journey with a donkey in the Cévennes (yes, really). And a must is a look at the fab old town of Pradelles, five kilometres from Langogne, home of the also-fab Pradelles Vélorail where you can pedal gently along the line of an old rail track. The thermal springs of Bagnols-les-Bains can be sunk into 35 kilometres away.