The south of France's famous paddling river also shows cyclists the way through the hills. We set off on a journey in the footsteps of the "Ardéchoise" - one of the biggest cycling races in the world.
Character
The "Ardéchoise" has many metres of elevation gain. However, many passes can be easily bypassed on side roads. If you set off southwards in the central to eastern part of the Ardèche, you can make the tour easier depending on your mood.
Route tips
1st Annonay, Satillieu, St-Symphorien- de-Mahun, 25 km
2. St-Symphorien-de-Mahun, Lalouvesc, Nozière, Lamastre, Nonières, Le Cheylard, 62 km
3rd Le Cheylard, St.-Martin-de-Valamas, Le Gerbier de Jonc, Mezilhac, 59 km
4. Mezilhac, Vals-les-Bains, Aubenas, Vogüé, Vallon- Pont-d'Arc, 63 km
5th Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Chames, on D 490 to St Remèze, Pierrelatte, 40 km
Travelling time
Best from mid-May to the end of June and mid-September to mid-October.
Arrival
By car on the A5 Karlsruhe-Freiburg motorway, continue in France via Mulhouse, Besancon, Lyon, exit Serrières/Annonay or via Lindau, Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva, Annecy, Chambéry, Grenoble and Valence, continue on the Autoroute du Soleil to Serrières/Annonay. From Bourg-St.-Andèol and Pierrelatte bus and taxi connections back to Annonay. By train: With Eurocity/Regional Express via Strasbourg, Lyon to Valence, from there by bike or bus to Annonay, back from Pierrelatte.
Overnight stay
The Gites d'Etappes and Maison d'Hôtes offer interesting hostels with often excellent cuisine! Our tips:
Hotel le Charmeyran in Annonay, http://www.charmeyran.fr - stylish, with pool.
La Chastanha in St Symphorien de Mahun, http://www.chastanha.com - Familiar atmosphere and delicious food!
Hotel-Restaurant Le Provençal in Le Cheylard, http://www.hotelrestaurantleprovencal.com
Des Cévennes, Mme Florence Bleuvais, Le Col, F-07530 Mezilhac, tel. 0033-(0)475387801, mailto:hotel-cevennesmezilhac@orange.fr - rustic, cosy hostel with a good restaurant.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, L'Ardéchoise, http://www.ardechoiscamping.com - Award-winning camping paradise with bungalows, directly on the stone arch, delicious pizza!
Maps
IGN D07 Ardèche, 1:125,000 - for the cycle tour; IGN 2939 OT Gorges de L'Ardèche, topo map 1:25,000, for a canoe tour on the Ardèche.
Organiser
There are countless boat hire companies in Vallon for a tour on the Ardèche! http://www.escapade-loisir.com also offers guided bike tours, canyoning, rafting, climbing and caving.
Literature
Maria Weinholt, Thomas Schmitt: Ardèche und Cevennen, Verlag Schelzky und Jeep, 21 euros - detailed and insightful. Gabriele Kalmbach: DuMont direkt, Ardèche and Cévennes, 7.95 euros - short and concise.
Internet
http://www.urlaub-ardeche.de: The tourist office sends out detailed information material!
http://www.ardecheinfo.com and http://www.ardecheguide.com: Information on overnight accommodation
http://www.ardechoise.com: famous amateur cycle race in the Ardèche region.
The full-length article from issue 2/2007 is available as a free PDF download.
