Did you know that the Ardèche (sometimes) straddles the Rhône? Situated on the northern edge of the département, a nature reserve that is part Ardèche stretches across the rivers Limony, Rhône and Lône.
Divided between 3 départements, the Ardèche,Isère and Loire, this piece of nature in the middle of the chemical valley, close to a nuclear power station, 2 national and departmental roads, a motorway and two railway lines, is a wild bubble in an urbanised and industrial ocean… Nothing very welcoming at first sight, and a lot less natural than the epinal image of the famous Ardèche gorges!
Well, you’d be wrong, it’s a rare, if not unique, spot in the Ardèche, combining the original Rhône with the river Limony and its little gorges, opposite the Lône, a wild branch set back from the main river bed.
Between the two, a unique forestry and wildlife area on the banks of the most powerful river in France, in its wild version, without the transport barges and with the birds.
Park on the edge of the départementale 86 in the commune of Limony, and after a few minutes’ walk, you’ll plunge into the trees before a majestic view of the river.
Upstream, via Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf, the sensitive natural area of the Orves meander and its unique ecosystem, between the Ardèche and the Loire. Downstream, the village of Serrières, emerging from the horizon, the other bank of the Platière nature reserve, between the Ardèche and Isère, floating on the water line of the river and its meanders, lônes and canals.
Further north, a large meadow tended by Bretonne Pie Noire cows can be seen against a backdrop of wintering birds such as the great egret all in white, the great-cormorant and its costume or the Gadwall and its characteristic cry when it flies away.
The return journey can be made by zigzagging through farmland, between recent ploughing and old fruit fields, on minor roads between the village and the Rhône.
La Platière in practice
With maps and links, a journey to the island of the River Rhône with a discovery hike.
Walking in Limony
And for a stroll along the banks of the Rhône, the Ile de la Platière and the village of Limony, here’s a hike suggested by the Ardèche Grand Air/ Tourist Office.
- A 6.8-kilometre loop, with a 200-metre difference in altitude, lasting around 2 hours:
Limony and la Platière
Where on the map is the Platière nature reserve in the Ardèche and on the banks of the Rhône?
No more Platière?
Presentation, map, practical information and access to the Ile de la Platière nature reserve:
