Pont d'Arc
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France
A natural stone arch across the Ardèche river. Rent a canoe and paddle under it.
The Pont d'Arc is a natural rock arch over the Ardèche at the entrance to the Ardèche Gorges in southern France, about 5 kilometres south of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Sizes vary by source: Wikipedia gives 59 metres wide and 34 metres high at the opening, Lonely Planet 54 metres high. The river broke through the arch about 124,000 years ago by karst erosion of the limestone; its old bed is preserved in the nearby Combe d'Arc.
The Pont d'Arc has been a protected natural site since 1931 and lies within the Gorges de l'Ardèche nature reserve. In summer the area is popular with kayakers. Nearby is the Chauvet cave with paintings about 30,000 years old; Lonely Planet points to the replica, Grotte Chauvet 2.
Walking routes to the arch start in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. We have no confirmed details on parking and access for motorhomes; please check beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.3818, 4.4167
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping la RouvièreCampsite1 km from Pont d'ArcTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping le Camp des GorgesCampsite1 km from Pont d'Arc · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping des TunnelsCampsite1 km from Pont d'ArcTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping l'ÎleCampsite2 km from Pont d'ArcTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping le ClapasCampsite2 km from Pont d'ArcTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Nature Parc l'ArdéchoisCampsite2 km from Pont d'ArcTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pont d'Arc?
Pont d'Arc is in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France, at GPS 44.3818, 4.4167. It is about 3 km from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
Can you camp near Pont d'Arc?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping la Rouvière, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 269 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Pont d'Arc?
Pont d'Arc is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Ardèche gorges and the Chauvet cave.
What is there to see near Pont d'Arc?
Places worth a stop nearby: Chauvet 2 cave replica (1 km), Belvédère de la Madeleine (6 km), Aven d’Orgnac (7 km) and Grignan castle (39 km).
When is the best time to visit Pont d'Arc?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)