Stroll in time in southern ardeche

The " gorges de l'ardèche " area remains to date one of the richest natural sites in europe.that place with its beautiful landscapes groups together, in a limited area, various natural sights, the only one of its kind in the world.

my magnanerie  Vallon-pont-d'Arc : Discover how silk worms grow and develop on a guided tour through an authentic refurbished silk worm farm. Every phase in rearing eggs until they become Bombyx butterflies is shown and commentated.  Descriptive panels, documents and many objects from the historic silk tradition of the Ardèche make your visit even more enjoyable.  All texts are in English or German. Silk Boutique .

The roure's castel  A castle-Museum built in the fifteenth century. Built to defend the ancient road which crosses the natural "Pont d'Arc".  It is a focal point of local history:  The wars of religion and the camisards revolution.  Silk worm breeding. An insight into old country life.  A tour through the cool rooms  - an exceptional spiral staircase, french ceilings, a massive fira place-Antique country furniture, manuscripts and collections...  - Recollections of suppressions of the protestants in the Languedoc.  -The original walls of defence, rempart of unique architecture with panoramic views of the Cevennes, from mount Lozère to mount Gerbier des Joncs, and of the lower -vivarais.  - The complete life cycle of skilworm breeding, from live eggs to moths.  - The re-creation of the work of silkworm breeding and mulberry tree plantations.

Aven forestière cave  Located on road D 217 between Vallon Pont díArc and Orgnac, the La Forestière Caves have only recently been opened to the public. Visits every day from 10 a.m to 6 p.m from April to September incusive.  The caves are easily reached, just 60 steps lead you down inside, and there, in the course of your visit, you will see the Cave Animal Zoo, something unique in Europe.

saint-marcel-d'ardèche cave  Near the Gorges de l'Ardèche lies one of the most beautiful caves of Europe with its vast undergroung lakes, enormous halls and outstanding dripstore formations.  Sound and light show.  Reproduction of prehistoric painting

musée de l'ardèche méridionale  In the "musée de l'Ardèche méridionale" the 19th century history of our country is presented in both pedagogical and attractive way.  The exhibition covers the following subjects:  rural architecture, road development, country medicine and witchcraft, wolf hunting, forest and wood trades, genealogy.

museum of life  Dioramas, archaeological display, video films, fossils will lead you through the fascinating story of life.  You also find a palaeontology workshop that can be used by all visitors.

aven marzal  Marzal Chasm and Cave was first reported in 1892 by E.A.Martel, the master of speleologiy, as being a natural wonder.  It was recently modernized and can be now discovered through an extremely moving entertaiment show.  Marzal Chasm was enriched with the Museum of the Underground World, wich has been colleting most of the authentic equipement used by the most renowed speleologists (Martel, de Lavaur, de Joly, Cateret, Ageron,...) since the origins of speleology.  In 1983 the site was complemented with the first Prehiostoric Zoo in France. It displays life-size reproductions of animals along the shaded path of 800 meters accesible to everyone.  Some scenes are animated and benefit from an absolutely exceptional and unique PA system.