Free walking tours in Saint-Remèze and what to see

Must-sees

Saint-Remèze is a small stone village on the limestone plateau above the Ardèche gorges, in the south of the department. Around it are garrigue, holm oaks, vines and lavender fields, and in summer the landscape turns mauve. The Maison de la Lavande, on the outskirts, combines fields you can walk through, a distillery with an old still and a museum space explaining how the plant is grown and used.

Beneath the plateau is the Aven de Marzal, a chasm you visit by descending more than a hundred metres among rock formations, with a museum on underground exploration and a trail with dinosaur replicas. From the village you reach the scenic gorges road in a few minutes, with viewpoints over the river’s meanders. A little further on are the Pont d’Arc, the natural stone arch over the Ardèche, and Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, home to the replica of the Chauvet cave.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Saint-Remèze. What Civitatis offers is a visit to the Maison de la Lavande, where you see how the essential oil is distilled and walk through the fields. The rest you organise yourself: the guided visit to the Aven de Marzal, canoeing down the river from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc or walking routes through the gorges.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the village and the Maison de la Lavande. If you add the Aven de Marzal and the viewpoint road, allow a full day. With two or three days you can canoe down the Ardèche, see the Pont d’Arc and visit the Chauvet cave replica. To see the lavender in bloom, the usual time is early summer.

Where to stay

The village has country cottages, guest rooms and the odd campsite, ideal for anyone seeking peace and clear skies. If you prefer more services, Vallon-Pont-d’Arc has plenty of hotels and riverside campsites and is a few minutes’ drive away. To the east, Bourg-Saint-Andéol, on the Rhône, is another option. You will need a car to get around the area.