Camping Aloha Plage

Activities on and around the river beckon: launch a canoe from the river beach for a gentle paddle or head down to Vallon Pont d’Arc to join guided tours or rent canoes to glide under the Pont d’Arc rock arch. Adventure companies in the town offer canyoning and climbing excursions; experienced riders, beginners and everyone in between are welcome to join horse treks along (and sometimes in) the river from a riding centre 10 minutes’ drive away. The area’s big natural attraction is the Gorges de l’Ardèche, known by some folk as the European Grand Canyon – you can drive down to the gorges in a little over half an hour for some fab hiking and cycling in the natural park, or you can hit the water again to experience the scenery from a canoe or river raft. Once you’ve seen the scenery from the trees and the water, take another view by heading underground at the Aven d’Orgnac caves, 40 minutes away, where you can wander through the underground chambers and learn about prehistoric life with hands-on workshops on making fire or grinding your own flour.