Mont Mézenc - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Mont Gerbier de Jonc is a mountain of volcanic origin located in the Massif Central in France. It is made of a type of rock called phonolite. It rises to an altitude of 1,551 m, and its base contains three springs that are the source of the Loire, France's longest river. It is the second most-visited site in the département of Ardèche, after the Ardèche Gorges.

The Chauvet 2 Cave - Ardèche is a replica of the Chauvet cave. Its construction began in October 2012 and it was opened to the public in 2015. It is a cultural, scientific, and technological project, unique in both its design and its size which in fact the largest ornate cave replica in the world.

The Chauvet Cave is a Palaeolithic cave situated near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc in the Ardèche region of southern France that houses the best-preserved, exquisite examples of prehistoric art. it is considered one of the most significant prehistoric art sites and the UN’s cultural agency UNESCO granted it World Heritage status. Its age and artistry have made us reconsider the story of art as well as the capabilities of these humans. The cave has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

The Pont d’Arc is a 60m high and 34m wide natural bridge carved out of the rock face of the gorge over the Ardèche River in Ardeche. It’s a geological wonder and thousands of years of water and wind have eroded the stone into shaping this natural entrance to the Ardeche gorges. In the near vicinity of the arch is the Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave, containing one of the earliest known Paleolithic cave paintings, about 30,000 years old.

Pilat Regional Nature Park covers around 72,000 hectares. An immense expanse with varied landscapes alternating between fir and beech forests, pastures, hillsides covered with vines, orchards... This preserved territory is home to many animals and plants. Nature-lovers and athletes will enjoy the various footpaths, mountain bike trails, and bridle paths.

The highest peak in the Cévennes range and it is commonly used for skiing during the winter months and offers some stunning natural scenery and is covered by coniferous plantations and 'broom' scrub moorland. Its vast, smooth expanses are dotted with rounded granite balls shaped by erosion. Small streams flow amid the peat bogs, which are home to precious endemic flora.