Webzine Ardèche

Nature, regional parks, nature reserves and natural areas in the Ardèche

Sensitive Natural Areas in the Ardèche (ENS)

The Ardèche department is brimming with a wide variety of natural areas and majestic landscapes.
Amongst those identified, sensitive natural areas are a collection of protected sites worth exploring to gain a better understanding of the environment around us, appreciate its diversity or simply admire the scenery.

Nature reserve and park in the Ardèche

The ENS in Ardèche

A sensitive natural area (ENS) is a designated area
on the basis of its biological and/or geological and/or landscape value.

Since 1995, 16 areas in the Ardèche department have been affected, accounting for 15 per cent of the department’s territory.

Sensitive natural areas are remarkable sites
for their biological, landscape or geological diversity.
They are representative of the ecosystems found in the Ardèche,
whether in the mountains or on the plains.

From April to October, you can enjoy the activities and guided tours organised across the entire site of the areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Map of sensitive natural areas

  • The ENS in Ardèche: a simplified map of the department’s areas:
Maps of the 16 sensitive natural areas in Ardèche: Name, location and nearby towns
  • Listed and mapped sensitive natural areas (extract 2026):

Sensitive Natural Areas online

From spring to autumn, the Ardèche’s natural areas offer a range of themed activities to enjoy, varying by region. By way of example, here is the 2026 programme:

You can also download the full 2026 programme in PDF format from the department’s website ↗; and, for the institutional section, the departmental plan for higher education institutions, Horizon 2030 ↗.

  • Visit the dedicated page for the Ardèche department, which features a list of teacher training colleges (ENS):
Web link