Les Cabanes de Labrousse

Guests whose interest in the arboreal has only been piqued by treehouse stays won’t have to travel far for more – it’s less than 40 minutes’ drive to Aquarock Aventure, where treetop courses are in place for all levels. It’s easy to stay active closer to home base too: it’s just 10 minutes’ drive to join the long-distance via ferrata route La Dolce Via – which stretches for 90 kilometres through the Ardèche – in the nearby Nonières, and about half an hour to Devesset Lake for swimming, watersports, sailing, tennis, miniature golf and orienteering. Wandering about the area’s prettiest villages comes highly recommended by the site team, who suggest starting with the traditional brick buildings and narrow streets of Chalencon (20 minutes) before moving on to Désaignes (25 minutes) and Boucieu-le-Roi (35 minutes). Even more scenic explores are to be had with bikes along the Vélorail des Gorges du Doux (45 minutes), canoeing and kayaking on the Eyrieux (40 minutes), or sitting back on the Train de l’Ardèche track (45 minutes). Urban days should be spent in the gardens, maze and Cité du Chocolat Valrhôna in Tournon-sur-Rhône (50 minutes), or in the cathedral, museums, gardens, Armenian Heritage Centre and caves of Valence (an hour).