L'Ardéchois

Vallon Pont D'Arc, Ardeche

Parc opens: 30 Apr - 03 Sep

A stunning parc offering truly excellent facilities, a wide range of family entertainment and a spectacular setting amidst the Ardèche gorges. L'Ardéchois is a superbly well-equipped parc situated alongside one of the loveliest stretches of the Ardèche river. This makes it a perfect spot for swimming and canoeing, not to mention the excursions through the magnificent gorges that are such a popular part of the parc's activities. Within the parc itself, the impressive range of facilities include an attractive pool complex and a poolside bar. To keep the whole family amused, an 'animateur' organises sports and entertainment from mid-June, including weekly discos which are held in the open-air or the bar. You are also just a short walk from Vallon Pont d'Arc, which is something of a focal point for tourists in this fascinating region.

Attractions

La Ferme aux Crocodiles 
The Crocodile farm houses 500 crocodiles in all shapes and forms, in a gigantic tropical greenhouse of 6500m2. Designed especially for them and for your pleasure. Explore the strange life of crocodiles through the medium of explanatory signs designed by scientists or enjoy a guided tour.

Aquatropic 
Tropical waterpark with wave machine, slides and crazy river.
Children have to be accompanied by adults.

L'Aven - Grotte de Marzal 
Cave system which can be explored via an inspiring sound and light show. It also includes the museum of the underground world. There is also the first prehistoric zoo in France. 800 metres of shady paths with life size reproductions of prehistoric animals.

Atlantide Park 
A huge tropical aquarium with 52 aquariums and a tropical river. Includes fish from around the globe including piranhas, sharks, and electric eels. Shark feeding exhibitions (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays). There is a shop and restaurant.

Grottes de St.Marcel 
Discovered in 1838 of geological, archeological & general tourist interest. 40 kms of Galleries. A one hour tour includes a sound and light show & a reproduction of a prehistoric painting. Outside there is a walk of interest to Botanists which passes near a Dolmen and a Menhin. Approximatley 20kms from Vallon.

Parc Ornithologique des Isles 
A shaded area of more than 2 hectares in which to admire birds either in total freedom or caged. There is a wide variety of species including macows, parakeets, ostriches, pheasants etc

Château des Adhémar 
The Château de Adhémar is one of the most important examples of Medieval architecture of the valley of the Rhone. It was built by the family of Adhémar de Monteil at the top of a hill dominating the city which bears its name. (Montelimar means 'the small mount of Adhémar'.) There are tours in English, German and Dutch

Château de Suze-la-Rousse 
A château that originally belonged to the Princes of Orange. It was built as a fortress in the 12th Century and was altered in the 15th Century. At its heart there is an Italianate courtyard over arcades. The château is associated with a line of influential nobility of the Beaume-Suze family

La Bambouseraie 
Fascinating exotic place, in beautifully calm natural surroundings. The visitor is encouraged to re-discover the wonder of this unusual garden. The visit will take 1hour and 30mins and there is an option of a 30mins guided tour which takes which departs every 15mins. Schedules are displayed at the entry desk.

Steam Train 
A blow of the whistle, a jet of steam and the Lokomotive starts up for a trip of 13km, between viaducts and tunnels to discover the "gardens" valley and its fabulous panoramas.

Emplacements

• Surface: Grass.
• Shade: Some have some.
• Pitch Size: 100-140 m2