Travel to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Innsbruck and Bavaria

Day 12 Messey-sur-Grosne - Gorges de l’Ardèche - Barcelona (831 Km.)

(in 323 Km.) Gorges de l’Ardèche: We began our visit to the Gorges de l’Ardèche early in the morning, as the forecast predicted extremely high temperatures due to a heatwave, with the thermometer expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius later in the day. This area, located in southern France, is a protected natural reserve known for its deep limestone canyon carved over millions of years by the Ardèche River. Our plan was to drive the scenic road that follows the northern rim of the gorge, stopping at the eleven official viewpoints, or belvédères, along the route. We decided to focus on these panoramic stops and not visit any of the caves located along the way, such as the Aven d'Orgnac or the Chauvet Cave, which require more time to explore. Before setting out, we ensured we had plenty of water and supplies, as shade was limited and hydration would be essential throughout the day.

Our first stop was at the Belvédère du Ranc Pointu, which provided a broad overview of the upper section of the gorge. The viewpoint was clearly marked, with a small parking area and an informational panel describing the geological history of the canyon and the biodiversity of the surrounding reserve. From here, we continued to the Grand Belvédère, one of the most spacious observation areas along the route. At this location, the road opens up, allowing visitors to view a wide bend of the river and the surrounding limestone cliffs. Despite the early hour, there were already several cars parked, with visitors taking photos before moving on to their next stop. We limited our time at each viewpoint to brief visits due to the rapidly increasing heat and returned to the car to continue along the winding road.

Next, we reached the Balcon de la Rouvière, which is situated at a point where the gorge narrows and the river makes a sharp turn. This spot provided an excellent view of the steep canyon walls and the rugged terrain below. Shortly afterward, we stopped at the Balcon de la Maladrerie, which offered a different perspective, focusing on the broader valley area where the Ardèche begins to transition into its most dramatic stretches. Continuing our drive, we arrived at the Balcon du Canyon des Templiers, followed by the nearby Belvédère des Templiers. These two stops are close together and highlight a section of the gorge with particularly striking meanders. Informational signs explained the historical use of the area by the Knights Templar, after whom these viewpoints are named. Along this stretch of road, there were also turnoffs leading to several well-known caves, including the Grotte de la Madeleine, which we chose not to visit, as our focus was on completing the panoramic route.

As we proceeded further, the road remained narrow and curvy, with the cliffs rising steeply on one side and dropping sharply on the other. Our next destination was the Belvédère du Cros de l'Olivier, which provided a more open view of the gorge and surrounding landscape. From here, we continued to the Belvédère d’Autridge, another well-marked stop featuring informational panels about the natural history and wildlife of the area. These mid-route viewpoints offered a chance to see some of the wider river bends, where groups of kayakers could be seen navigating the calm waters below. Given the high temperatures, we observed many visitors pausing briefly for photos and then returning quickly to the shade of their vehicles, as we did.

The penultimate stop on our route was the Belvédère du Serre de Tourre, which is located near the end of the scenic drive. This viewpoint offered a final elevated perspective of the gorge before the road began its descent toward Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. From this location, we could see a stretch of the river leading toward the famous natural rock arch. The signage at the site explained the geological formation of the arch and its importance as the symbolic entrance to the gorge. After spending a few minutes taking in the view, we drove down to the base area near the river.

(in 30 Km.) Pont d’Arc: Our final destination was Pont d’Arc, a natural stone arch that spans the Ardèche River and serves as one of the most recognized landmarks of the region. After parking nearby, we walked to the riverbank, where designated swimming areas were clearly marked. Given the extreme heat, with the temperature now at 40 degrees Celsius, we decided to take a swim to cool off. Many other visitors were also swimming, kayaking, and relaxing along the shore. From the water, we had a clear view of the arch, which rises dramatically above the river. After our swim, we returned to the parking area, marking the end of our journey along the scenic route through the Gorges de l’Ardèche, having visited all eleven viewpoints in order from Ranc Pointu to Pont d’Arc.

(in 478 Km.) Barcelona: End of the trip.