Route Touristique des Gorges de l'Ardèche

About this drive

The D290 follows the rim of the Gorges de l'Ardèche from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in the north to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche in the south — a 30-kilometre road above a canyon the Ardèche River has cut through the Plateau des Gras. The canyon is up to 300 metres deep and 1,500 metres wide at the top, making it the largest canyon in France after the Gorges du Verdon. The road stays mostly at the rim level, with 14 marked viewpoints looking down into the gorge. The Pont d'Arc at the northern end is the canyon's most famous feature: a natural limestone arch 34 metres high and 59 metres wide over the river, formed by the Ardèche cutting through a meander. The Chauvet Cave — discovered nearby in 1994 — contains the oldest known cave paintings in the world at 36,000 years old and is not open to the public; a full-scale replica, Chauvet 2, is open near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and is one of the best museum experiences in France. The river through the gorge is a popular canoe and kayak route in summer; the 30-kilometre paddle from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Martin takes one to three days. The rim road sees heavy traffic in July and August; the best driving is in May and September when the crowds thin and the morning light on the canyon walls is at its most dramatic.

Stops along the way

• 📸 Pont d'Arc · Scenic Viewpoint

  A natural limestone arch spanning the river, marking the gateway into the Ardèche gorge.