Le Pousadou

Don't spend all your time in the Domaine de Cassagnole vineyard (tempting though it may be), for there's loads to see and do around here. You can fish or swim directly from the site in the clear waters of the Chassezac river, or hire a canoe near the site and set off along the river's 84-kilometre length before it joins the Ardèche near Saint Alban Auriolles. On land, Le Pousadou is 10 minutes' drive (or about 55 minutes' walk) from the limestone cliffs and oak trees of Païolive forest, a scenic spot between the Ardèche and the Cévennes for hiking and climbing. The site's also about half an hour from the spectacular Chassezac gorges for more hiking and climbing as well as watersports, canyoning and lazing on beaches. Plenty of other vineyards are to hand as well as Domaine de Cassagnole: staff on site will be happy to direct you to these and to local markets so you can make as full an investigation as possible of local eats and treats.