Le Mas de la Figuière Les Gorges de l'Ardèche
The Gorges of the Ardèche are an internationally known site. Each year, six thousand hikers, more than ninety thousand canoes or kayaks and three hundred thousand vehicles cross each other. Despite this affluence, they have kept mystery and savagery.
The famous Pont d'Arc is the majestic entrance to the Ardèche gorges. Each summer, nearly 90,000 canoes and kayaks cross the 66-meter arch. It is also the starting point of the Gorges marathon, at the beginning of November.
Since 1980, the site of Gorges is classified natural reserve, between Chames and Sauze, on 1570 hectares. Le Garn (the village where the holiday accommodations of Le Mas de la Figuière are located) is one of the 13 towns constituting the SIGARN (Syndicat Intercommunal des Gorges de l'Ardèche et de leur Région Naturelle).
In limestone rocks, the Ardèche River has dug caverns, caves, avens and canyons like the Cirque de la Madeleine or the Pont d'Arc. Many curiosities can be admired, either during the descent of the Gorges in canoe or kayak (through 25 rapids), or by taking the Route des Gorges overhanging this magnificent natural heritage.