What to see in France

Aiguèze or a visit to an open-air museum at the campsite

Vue sur le Village d'Aiguèze et sa forteresse
Vue sur le Village d'Aiguèze et sa forteresse

 

Overlooking the Ardèche gorges in the Gard and Occitanie regions, Aiguèze is a magnificent little village drained by the Ardèche and surrounded by an exceptional natural heritage, with two Natura 2000 sites, the national nature reserve of the Ardèche gorges and several areas of ecological interest. Added to this are several listed buildings, making this the first commune to be classified as one of France's Most Beautiful Villages in 2005. All good reasons to come and discover this village, which has plenty of campsites.

Which campsite is right for visiting Aiguèze?

Campsites in the Gard

Did you know that you are particularly lucky? There are very few small villages in the French provinces with campsites on the same site. Well, the village of Aiguèze even has three, including a natural area and a farm campsite. For more choice, you need to widen your search a little in the neighbouring communes. Here is a selection of campsites chosen for you:

Campsite des Cigales on the banks of the Ardèche / Aiguèze 30760

Les Cigales ** campsite in Aiguèze: 100 m from the Ardèche river, where you can go sailing, kayaking, canoeing and pedal boating. The campsite also has a heated outdoor swimming pool, mini-golf, table tennis and a tennis court, as well as horse-riding lessons. Between March and December, 14 chalets for 56 pitches are available for rental. Children's games and evening entertainment are organised during the summer season. Ideally placed for a visit to the village of Aiguèze!

Campsites in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche / By the water

Campsite Huttopia Le Moulin / Gorges de l'Ardèche

Huttopia Le Moulin *** campsite in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche : Open from the beginning of April to the end of September, this campsite is less than 2 km from the "most beautiful village in France", Aiguèze. Here you'll find the gateway to the Ardèche gorges, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a paddling pool for the little ones and direct access to the river. As well as water sports (canoeing, kayaking and fishing), the campsite organises walks. There is a restaurant service, entertainment during the day and shows in the evening.

Campsite Le Pontet / near Aiguèze (30)

Camping Le Pontet *** is also part of Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, 3 km from the village of Aiguèze. Open between April and September, you'll find yourself in a friendly, family setting surrounded by vineyards and cherry trees, with an outdoor swimming pool, waterslide and paddling pool for children. Direct access to the Ardèche river means you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing and sailing, as well as beach volleyball and volleyball. Children's club, entertainment and playground are available here, as well as dance evenings in the summer season.

Mobile home and bike hire / Camping Les Cascades

Les Cascades campsite **** in La Roque-sur-Cèze, less than 20 km from the village voted one of France's Most Beautiful Villages. It welcomes you from mid-April to mid-September in one of its 88 accommodation options (tents, mobile homes, etc.). On the banks of the River Cèze, the campsite offers direct access to the beach, as well as a heated outdoor swimming pool and a paddling pool. You can also hire BMX and freeride mountain bikes here, as well as electric bikes. Basketball, table tennis and pétanque are also available, as are horse-riding trips organised on site. Take advantage of the children's club, play area and evening entertainment during the holidays, for a holiday that will leave you with happy family memories.

Campsite Les Amarines

Les Amarines campsite **** in Cornillon, 20 km from the village of Aiguèze. It welcomes you between April and the end of September in the heart of the Cèze valley, on shady, landscaped grounds, in comfortable mobile homes or on quiet, restful pitches. A 28° heated swimming pool and private access to the river, the cleanliness of the site and services open all season long are the assets of this campsite. Don't forget the children's club, water sports, volleyball and beach volleyball and the jacuzzi. At nightfall, there are shows and dance evenings for all the family to enjoy!

Les Amarines campsite in Cornillon
Les Amarines campsite in Cornillon© CampingFrance

The Aiguèze treasure hunt

Listed as a historic monument, Saint-Pierre d'Aiguèze is an 11th-century Romanesque church. Of particular interest are its octagonal Gothic bell tower, restored in 1915, and its superb Renaissance portal dating from 1552. Inside, you'll be surprised by the light it reflects, certainly due to the colourful walls and ceilings. Splendid neo-Gothic frescoes decorate the nave. A free tour is available every day.

Saint Peter's Church
Saint Peter's Church© iStock

It's impossible to miss the remains of the ancient fortified castle of Aiguèze. Witness to a painful past, the fortress of Aiguèze was built in the 11th and 12th centuries and destroyed during the Hundred Years' War. All that remains today are its square keep, its Saracen tower and its famous walkway at the foot of the rock.

 

The Castellas is the name given to the old rampart walk, which was linked to the fortress by a staircase, some of whose steps can still be seen carved into the rock. It's hard to visit Aiguèze without taking this not-to-be-missed path, which is accessed via a passage cut into the rock and offers breathtaking views of the Ardèche gorges and valley, the Côtes du Rhône vineyards and Mont Ventoux. You must admire this magnificent landscape, a priceless natural heritage that surrounds the village of Aiguèze.

View from the Castellas, the old sentry walk
View from the Castellas, the old sentry walk © iStock

In the rue du Moulin, the old Aiguèze mill, which now houses the tourist office, is a logical choice. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, it was used to produce olive oil. It's one of the must-see sites in the village of Aiguèze!

The streets of Aiguèze
The streets of Aiguèze© iStock

What's special about the village of Aiguèze is that, as you stroll through the narrow streets, you can admire the ancient architecture, with houses that all have a medieval ground floor and an upper floor dating from the Renaissance period, again markers of a tormented past. There are also cobbled streets made from Ardèche pebbles, which are often found in villages in the south of France. Look up too at the "sculptor's house", recognisable by its round tiles and light-coloured stone, its vaulted passageway concealing a facade magnificently decorated with animal sculptures, among others.

The ancient architecture of the village houses
The ancient architecture of the village houses © iStock

The village of Aiguèze can also help you discover or enjoy the Ardèche gorges, with a small beach at the foot of the cliffs by the river, a pleasant place to cool off, and from the nearby village of Saint-Martin, where you can hire a canoe to paddle down the river.

Canoeing in the Ardèche gorges
Canoeing in the Ardèche gorges© iStock

For those who enjoy hiking, the GR4 trail close to the village takes you past olive groves and vineyards. It's an excellent way to discover and enjoy the marvellous landscapes of the Garrigue Gardoise that surround the village. The same GR4 also takes you to the Castel Viel palaeontological site, as well as the galleries and waterfall of the Saint-Marcel cave, a real spectacle with sound and light!

 

 

 

 

Campsites connected with this article

Campsites in Gard Campsites near of Aiguèze
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