Ardeche

Ardèche is a department in the Auvergne-Rône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Named after the Ardèche River, it forms part of the Massif Central and is known for its varied landscapes, from rugged gorges to forested plateaus and medieval villages. The department bears the number 07 and has Privas as its prefecture. It is subdivided into three arrondissements: Privas, Largentière, and Tournon-sur-Rhône. Major towns include Annonay, Aubenas, and Privas.

Geography and nature: The Ardèche River traverses the department and has carved the Gorges de l’Ardèche, a celebrated canyon that hosts canoeing routes and the Pont d’Arc natural bridge. The region also features limestone plateaus, forests, and the Mont Mézenc area along the northern border with Haute-Loire.

History and culture: The Ardèche is rich in prehistoric heritage; the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc Cave near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc contains some of the earliest known cave paintings and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. A replica, Caverne du Pont-d’Arc, opened in 2015. The town of Annonay is linked to the Montgolfier brothers, pioneers of balloon flight. The economy combines agriculture, forestry, and tourism, with wine production in the Vivarais and surrounding areas.

Population and administration: The department has a population of around 320,000. It borders several other departments in the region and attracts visitors to its natural parks, caves, and historic towns.