# Ardèche gorges and the Chauvet cave

> 3-day road trip of about 46 km (29 mi) with 7 stops, from Aubenas to Aven d’Orgnac. About 0 h 38 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b2-ardeche-gorges/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 46 km (29 mi) with 7 stops, from Aubenas to Aven d’Orgnac. About 0 h 38 min of driving in total. Perched Balazuc, the replica of the world’s oldest cave paintings, the Pont d’Arc and the belvederes of the gorge road.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 46 km (29 mi) |
| Driving | 0 h 38 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Aubenas → Aven d’Orgnac |
| Countries | France |
| Updated | August 27, 2026 |

## Route description

From Aubenas follow the river south to Balazuc, a village of stone houses clinging above the Ardèche, with a beach below. Continue through Ruoms to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, the base for canoe trips down the gorge.

Book a slot at Chauvet 2 on the plateau above Vallon, then drive a few kilometres to the Pont d’Arc, a natural arch 54 m high spanning the river. The D290 gorge road starts here and runs along the rim for some 30 km, with a dozen belvederes.

The Belvédère de la Madeleine is the highlight, above a tight bend where canoeists look tiny. After Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, turn back west to the Aven d’Orgnac, a vast cave with a fine museum of prehistory.

In July and August the gorge road and the car parks are packed, so start early or come in May, June or September. The descent by canoe from Vallon takes one or two days, with a bivouac in the gorge that must be booked.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Aubenas** (France)
2. **Balazuc** (France)
3. **Vallon-Pont-d'Arc** (France)
4. **Chauvet 2 cave replica** (Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France): A full-scale replica of the Chauvet cave, whose lions, horses and rhinos were painted some 36,000 years ago. Book a timed entry in summer.
5. **Pont d'Arc** (Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France): A natural stone arch across the Ardèche river. Rent a canoe and paddle under it.
6. **Belvédère de la Madeleine** (Saint-Remèze, France): The most spectacular of the lookouts on the gorge road, above the tight meander of the Cirque de la Madeleine. Canoes look tiny on the river 300 m below.
7. **Aven d’Orgnac** (Orgnac-l’Aven, France): A huge cave with giant stalagmites, entered by a lift and stairs, with a museum of prehistory at the top. A cool refuge on hot days, at a steady 13 °C.