In Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, a typical day starts with a canoe trip down the Ardèche under the Pont d'Arc, 8 minutes from the village. The next day: Chauvet Cave 2, also 8 minutes away, and the gorges road with its eleven viewpoints to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. Around: the Aven d'Orgnac 25 minutes away, Ruoms 12 minutes away, and the listed villages of Balazuc (21 minutes) and Vogüé (23 minutes). In spring, the Pont d'Arc Raid Nature brings together about 1,000 competitors over the Easter weekend, according to Wikipedia.
Key facts
- 8 minutes away: the Pont d'Arc and Chauvet Cave 2.
- Canoeing: from the mini-trip under the Pont d'Arc to the full 32 km.
- Less than 25 minutes away: Ruoms, Labeaume, Balazuc, Vogüé, the Aven d'Orgnac.
- Gorges road: 29 km and eleven viewpoints to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche.
The must-sees, with driving times
| Place | From Vallon | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Pont d’Arc | 5.6 km, 8 min | Pont d’Arc |
| Chauvet Cave 2 | 6.8 km, 8 min | Chauvet 2 |
| Ruoms | 10.5 km, 12 min | Ruoms |
| Labeaume | 14.3 km, 17 min | Balazuc and Labeaume |
| Balazuc | 18.2 km, 21 min | Balazuc and Labeaume |
| Vogüé | 20.9 km, 23 min | Vogüé |
| Aven d’Orgnac | 15.4 km, 25 min | Aven d’Orgnac |
| Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche | 35.4 km, 39 min | Saint-Martin |
Driving times: OSRM on OpenStreetMap.
The river
The canoe trip is Vallon’s raison d’être: mini-routes under the Pont d’Arc, the big 24 km descent or the full 32 km, with a night at a bivouac if you split it in two.
Prehistory
The original Chauvet Cave, a World Heritage Site, lies within the municipality; you visit its replica, Chauvet Cave 2. The Aven d’Orgnac adds a giant cave and the Prehistory Centre.
The villages
The Ardèche gorges lead to Ruoms, Balazuc and Labeaume, and Vogüé, two villages labelled among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
Book a trip
Trips around Vallon
Mini-descent of the Ardèche with a passage under the Pont d'Arc in your free time!2 hours★ 4.9 (21 reviews)from €28Check availability
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc: Electric Bike Wine Tour & Tasting3 hours★ 4.4 (7 reviews)from €79Check availability
Ardèche: guided tour of our winery with tasting1.5 hours★ 4.7 (8 reviews)from €12Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
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Frequently asked questions
What to do in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc over a weekend?
Saturday, a canoe trip that passes under the Pont d'Arc; Sunday, Chauvet Cave 2 in the morning and the gorges road in the afternoon.
What to do in Vallon without a canoe?
The Pont d'Arc from the beach or the road, Chauvet Cave 2, the gorges road and its viewpoints, the Aven d'Orgnac, and the villages of Balazuc, Labeaume and Vogüé.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Prices and opening times change: confirm before you go.
- Wikipedia, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia, Ardèche gorges (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- OSRM on OpenStreetMap, driving times, accessed 9 November 2026
