Natural heritage

The Vestide du Pal is a big maar crater of 1700m of diameter and 150m of depth. A succession of basalt alluvial fan created itself inside the crater. It could be the biggest maar crater of Europe.

A mofetta is a carbonic gas emanation from lava cooling below the earth. Very spectacular, there are only 3 in Europe: the dog cave in Pouzzoles near Naples, Royat (Puy de Dome) and Neyrac. Not visitable.

The Verdier site located in the heart of the village of Burzet, this flow results from the Ray-Pic, one of the basalt flows of France richest in peridotite nodules. Very nice view of the Bridge.

Large field of granite stones at the foot of Mount Aigu mountain, on the North face. The clapas means a pile of rocky debris, the rocks gather together to form like a sea of granite.

The Pont de Labeaume site, virtually where three valleys join, presents a major geological attraction in a small area: the morphology of the valleys is easy to understand by the superposition of basaltic flows.

This staircase consists of volcanic stones is located in a natural fault in the basaltic flow of the Causeway Giants. It also allows you to join the village of Thueyts up the climb from the Devil’s Bridge.

The Prades coalfield and its mines form a kind of parallelogram, two kilometers wide, lying about ten kilometers from north-east to south-west, around the communes of Lalevade d’Ardèche and Prades.

The “suc” of Bauzon, typical strombolian volcanic cone culminates at 1471 m and its crater measures nearly 430 meters in diameter. Its flow, locally thick of 30 to 40 m, was released in the bed of the Loire on 8 km.

This is the largest volcanic bomb in the region of the Young Volcanoes of the Ardèche. This bomb (the lip of the Souilhol volcano crater) has a vaguely tapering aspect and probably weighs seven to ten tons.

Coal basin (carbon composition) oriented east-west, twenty kilometers long between La Souche and Lalevade, and a few hundred meters wide at 1200 meters.

Famous causeways and columns with blue basalt prisms. On the banks of the Lignon, this gigantic flow seems to want to drown us creating impressive gorges looking like organ pipes. It is said to be the most beautiful in Europe.

These 215 steps stairs cut in the volcanic rock will lead you to the plain of the Vernède, it also allows you to reach the old abandonned village called Fargebelle before descending to the natural site of the Pont du diable.

You can see it on your way to the Jaujac volcano along the route of the “coulée vive” path. This enchanted place, two ponds of about 800 m². This marsh naturally fed by the Volcano’s springs is a natural paradise for dragonflies

At the bottom of volcano the Peschier mineral spring was formerly very popular. You can still enjoy its clear, semi-sparkling, ferruginous water on the spot.

Geological curiosity, the Pourcheyrolles waterfall was born from a volcano. It springs from a basaltic flow 32 m high overlooking the Fontaulière.
Visible from the belvedere Pourcheyrolles bordering the RD 536.

The name of the Bowl of Jaujac is due to its shape which apparently looks like a drinking bowl. “It is one of the most regular Volcanoes in France, even the most perfect” (Brousse & Berger, 1967, p.3).

The Amarnier site allows to make relative dating and to study different eruptive phases of the Young Volcanoes of Ardèche. On this site, it is possible to observe the superposition of the lava flows of the Gravenne of Montpezat and the Ray-Pic.

The Féraou Gour is located in the hamlet of Conges, it forms a natural pot at the foot of a waterfall.

Ste Marguerite site (987m) and its chapel that offers a 360 pont of view from the Tanargues mounts to Ventoux mounts passing by the Escrinet and the Prealpes.

The coalfield called Prades, a close-up of two kilometers, a distance of north-southwest, around the municipalities of Lalevade d’Ardeche and Prades.

The Aigu Mount is marked by screes. Around it, a Biologic Reserve was given by ONF : it’s an exceptionnal natural heritage.

Strombolian volcano (Gravenne), attached to the young volcanoes of Ardèche, the Gravenne de Thueyts is a Strombolian type volcano erupting crater culminating at 600 m. altitude.

The holed Rock, “Lou Ron Trooutcha” in Ardèche dialect is a geological feature located in the town of Mayres. The rock is so called because it has a skylight formed in a pile of stones.

The maar (volcanic explosion crater) of Chambon cut into the base to extract stones cut for the construction of some houses of the village.

Located at Neyrac spa, this is an explosion crater. Volcanoes of this type happen when very hot magma at 1,200C° (lava) meets water several hundred meters below the earth.

Visible during a hiking near “adret”.

The waterfall of the “Gueule de l’enfer” = Mouth of Hell is fed by the brook Merdaric in the town of Thueyts. It is ephemeral and is visible only during heavy rains. You can observe it along the hiking trail that leads to Devil’s Bridge.

While until then, the faysses had always been occupied by vines, fruit trees or market garden plants …

Experience the Ray Pic waterfalls where water from La Bourges river bursts through basalt rock. This natural volcanic site has been listed since 1931.

Visit one of the most beautiful caves in France, the visit takes place on an easy route. With an indoor temperature of 14°, it is advisable to bring warm clothing. The return journey is by small train through the natural site.

Basalt flow from the Strombolian volcano of Gravenne Thueyts. It reaches locally more than 50 m thick and 80 m high, so it is one of the largest of the Young Volcanoes of Ardèche and one of the highest in Europe.

Autureyre rock is at the summit of the mountain overlooking the valleys.

Abraham rock is a highest 1 498 metres of altitude peak. Abraham rock, ancient occitan name « La Ranc Abran », « The steep rock ». It forms the highest of Barnas and La Souche towns, the summit is situated at the boundary of these two locality and of Mayres.

The volcanoes in the commune of Meyras are part of the Young Volcanoes of Ardèche. The Souilhol volcano and its two flows as well as the Maar Doris were thrown up during the last eruptive episode affecting the Bas Vivarais.

A famous columnar blue basalt flow forming prisms. On the banks of the Lignon, this gigantic flow seems to want to submerge us, creating impressive gorges looking like organ pipes. It is said to be the most beautiful in Europe.

Old Strombolian cone of 806 meters. The flows, emitted by this Strombolian-type volcano, have all flowed into the Fontaulière valley.

Created by « les amis de Lafarre » association, the botanical trail invites you to the discovery of local flora.The signage presents you the specificity of the plants and trees.