Ardèche (river)

Ardèche Gorge

Natural rock arch Pont d' Arc

The Ardèche is a river in France, which runs in the regions of Rhône -Alpes and Languedoc- Roussillon. It rises in the Regional Natural Park of Monts d' Ardèche, in the municipality of Astet, drained generally in a southeasterly direction, forming in its lower reaches the impressive Gorges de l' Ardèche and ends after 125 kilometers at Pont -Saint -Esprit as a right tributary of the Rhône. On their way the Ardèche crosses the Ardèche, for which it is named, as well as the department of Gard.

Places on the river

• Thueyts
• Lalevade d'Ardèche
• Ucel
• Aubenas
• Saint- Sernin
• Ruoms
• Vallon -Pont d'Arc
• Pont -Saint -Esprit

Tributaries

Left tributaries:

• Fontolière (21 miles)
• Volane (23 miles)
• Sandron (18 miles)
• Luol (19 miles)
• Auzon (26 miles)
• Ibie (33 miles)

Rights tributaries:

• Lignon (21 miles)
• Ligne (23 miles)
• Beaume (44 miles)
• Chassezac (85 miles)

Hydrology

The mean river discharge at gauging Saint -Martin d'Ardèche is 65 cubic meters per second. However, the range of fluctuation during the year ranges from 12 m in summer to 110 m³ in winter. Early fall, sometimes even at the end of the summer, it can cause very severe thunderstorms here. The rich rainfall can no longer be absorbed and leave tributaries and streams in the Ardèche swell suddenly from the karstic ground. Even small streams are dried after such a thunderstorm raging rivers. The water level can rise by several meters within a few hours.

Water

On the Ardèche can operate excellent canoe and kayak sport. Due to the sometimes heavy rains in the spring, the river can lead to this time a lot of water. The normal during the summer rapids swell and become more demanding for water sports. During the summer, the Ardèche performs, as compared to the spring or autumn, usually a little water. So the river is at times very quiet, particularly in small rapids that damming the water. The Ardèche is therefore particularly at this time a river, which is ideal for family trips by canoe, as almost all rapids can be bypassed or portage. In addition, the bank charge for a picnic, the ride through the canyon very often offers shady sections, and an observation of living there wild animals is also possible. The upper section of the river from the hamlet of Les Mazes to Pont d' Arc is monitored on the flow of your own kayak police during the months of July and August because of the high number of tourists. A stay or the creation of two fire pits outside paid landings or places in the Gorges de l' Ardèche is prohibited because of the risk of fire in the summer, as well as the vehicular access to the river by children under seven years. Every year in early November there will be a spectacular whitewater Marathon ( "Marathon International des Gorges de l' Ardèche " ) with up to 1,500 participants on this river section. The different boat classes of kayaks and Canadians are started simultaneously.

Practicability

• The upper course between the source and Aubenas plunges through a narrow valley and can be used only in the time of snow melt and after heavy rains. Here, the Ardèche partially extreme whitewater. Worth the Pont du Diable ( Devil's Bridge ) is in Thueyts.
• The middle course between Aubenas and Ruoms flows through a relatively broad valley and offers interesting, sporty water walking routes of many Kiesbankschwällen. Between Ruoms and Vallon -Pont d'Arc of the flow through weirs is almost completely dammed, despite boat slides this route is hardly any traffic. The picturesque places Vogüé and Balazuc are a tourist attraction.
• The underflow is a special attraction with the so-called Gorges de l' Ardèche, which constitute a breakthrough from the high plateau Plateau de grass beneath the Massif Central in the Rhône- level in the form of an approximately 30 km long gorge. The plateau is between 200 and 300 meters high and has as its highest point of the Dent de Rez with a height of 712 meters.

Attractions

• Ardèche gorges:

The Gorges de l' Ardèche located between the towns of Vallon -Pont d'Arc and Saint -Martin d'Ardèche. The leading along the edge of the canyon road ( Corniche ) offers spectacular views of the canyon and the river.

• Pont d' Arc:

Natural stone bridge over the river near the town of Vallon -Pont d'Arc.

• Chauvet Cave:

In the Ardèche Gorges is the famous Chauvet Cave, a limestone cave named after their discoverer, with early Stone Age cave paintings of enormous plasticity and expressiveness. Since the cave has not been released to the public, you can visit an exhibition in Vallon -Pont d'Arc, in the recording of cave paintings can be seen. According to an announcement by the roadside and the release of a local tourist guide of the replica of the cave is completely planned in the area, which then allows a more immediate impression of the wall drawings. (As of summer 2012)

Flora and Fauna

The narrow river valley in the upper reaches (in Aubenas ) is the realm of the chestnut trees. The middle part to Ruoms is relatively pflanzenarm as a result of deforestation in the Middle Ages and the overgrazing of the area until the mid 20th century. Through the barren karst soil grow predominantly evergreen shrub plants ( vegetation ) - the Mediterranean garrigue, with fragrant plants such as thyme, rosemary, lavender, savory. In the river itself thrive only few water plants to storage sites. In summer there is because of the high water temperature problems in some places with algae.

The wildlife is abundant. Mammals are present but barely visible, but in recent years the nocturnal beaver has recaptured the whole Ardèchetal and its tributaries as a habitat. Bats have ideal living conditions in the many caves. Wild boar and feral goats may be hunted.

As a striking blue heron birds can be observed on the river bank, even vultures nest in the area. In the spring draw thousands of carp -like noses through the river to their spawning grounds in the headwaters and tributary streams. Be fished eel and trout.