Heritage

When the Ardèche was known as the Pays du Vivarais and the Sources de la Loire

During the French Revolution, the department changed its name three times before becoming the Ardèche, named after the largest river that flows through it. A brief history of how the region came to be known by its current name.
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Galléliaure, swimming pool on the River Cance in Annonay

Ever heard of the Galléliaure pool on the River Cance in the Ardèche? It was an open-air swimming pool, in the river and in the middle of nature, near Annonay… Back to the town’s aquatic past.
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Himalayan footbridge at Rochemaure in Ardèche

Suspended between the Ardèche and Drôme rivers, the Rochemaure footbridge offers a unique journey over the Rhône. Combining historical heritage and innovation, this emblematic structure invites pedestrians and cyclists to discover spectacular panoramas and the living history of a unique region.
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Grotte Chauvet 2, a unique dive into the Palaeolithic and the Pont d’Arc cave

On the heights of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, in the heart of the 15-hectare Razal site, Grotte Chauvet 2 is a theatrical replica of the cave art of the Palaeolithic Pont d’Arc.
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Karst and flooding in the Cévennes: the slow dance that opened the Pont d’Arc Arch

At the threshold of the Ardèche gorges, a natural arch opens a passage in the cliff: this is the Pont d’Arc. Quite naturally, it’s simply breathtaking.
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The Marc Seguin footbridge over the Rhône river

The Marc-Seguin footbridge, linking Tournon-sur-Rhône in the Ardèche to Tain-l’Hermitage in the Drôme, embodies a major advance in 19th century engineering. Designed by engineer Marc Seguin, this suspension bridge remains an emblematic witness to French industrial history and a vital link between the two banks of the Rhône.
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History of trains in Ardèche: lines, stations and railway heritage

Beyond the political sea serpent and its possible return, a brief history of the train in the Ardèche since the 19th century between the Rhône Valley and the Massif-Central.
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La Pile du Bac à Traille in Champagne en Ardèche

Situated on the banks of the Rhône in Champagne, one particular building catches the eye: the Pile du Bac à Traille, once used to transport passengers from one bank of the river to the other.
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Art Centre and Château d’Aubenas in the Ardèche

After more than a decade of renovation work, the Château d’Aubenas in the southern Ardèche will open its doors on 5 July 2024 for its first summer season. Here’s a closer look at this key cultural and heritage site in the Ardèche.
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