The Spectacular Ardeche Gorges

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Unlike our previous excursions this trip left after lunch. Quite a few people nodded off on the bus trip, despite the guide’s admonition “You snooze, you lose”. We drove through the town of Tarascon, which is named after a mythical creature that looks a bit like a mutant ninja turtle with six legs. The story goes that St Martha tamed it with sweet songs and hymns.

The gorges are known as the “European Grand Canyon” as the river has cut deeply in to the limestone. The Pont d’Arc at the beginning of the canyon is a natural arch 60 m wide and 54 m high. Near it are sandy beaches and we could see a number of people there swimming and kayaking. In August thousands of people go there. We then drove to a lookout point where the river has made a large loop which will probably become an oxbow lake eventually. Next we went to the Madeleine Tourist Centre where there is a huge limestone cave complex, a magnificent view along the river and a display about the geology and history of the area. We could not go in the cave as there are over 300 steps down, and of course back up. Dave and I felt we could have managed it, but we contented ourselves with admiring the spectacular scenery and looking at the displays. Many people refreshed themselves with a glass of kir, which is a mixture of white wine and cassis, a liqueur made with black currants. Dave and I think we'll try making cassis next season. Kir Royale (think James Bond?) is a mixture of cassis and champagne.

On the way back we saw the low mountain ridge known as the Alpilles, and had a view of the Abbaye de Montmajour which was a fortified Benedictine monastery built between the 10th and 18th centuries on what was originally an island five kilometers north of Arles. In the 2nd world war the Germans used it as an arms depot but now it is a centre for artistic activities and events.

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Comments

[Brett Williams]

Hello
Hi Dave and Tamara, It looks like you are having a really enjoyable holiday and the canal cruise a fine way to travel. Look forward to the next episodes as this is a fun break from my studies. Kind Regards, Brett

[Heather]

Looks beautiful
Love seeing the updates on your travel. All looks so beautiful, full of European charm and sunshine!