This route forms part of a 5 day tour from The Pyrenees to The Alps that I have named #AcrossFrance, this is Day 3. Links to Day 2 and Day 4 can be seen below this review and also the links for the start and finish hotels for this day.

France has been blessed with so many great roads and this route uses two of the best; The Gorges du Tarn and The Gorges de l'Ardèche. Both of these roads follow their respective rivers through deep, steep sided limestone gorges. Sometimes the roads can be narrow and can become busy during holiday periods, so to enjoy this route to the maximum, avoid busy times. The scenery is breathtaking with numerous places to stop for pictures, I have only marked a few as there are just too many. You will pass under massive rock overhangs and through rock tunnels, and pass a number of ancient fortifications designed to defend this historic route when travel was by means of the river and not road.

You will see small villages hemmed in between the left bank of the Tarn and the cliffs of the Causse Méjean (limestone cliffs), which almost fell into oblivion when the arrival of the right bank road forced its inhabitants to move to the other side of the river. Two of these, La Sablière and Hauterives have a special charm: there is no bridge or road access. Goods are transported in a small basket suspended from a cable stretched across the river, while the people cross the river in a boat or follow a path on the left bank.

The famous viewpoint of Pas de Soucy:
A few thousand years ago, huge blocks of stone broke loose from the cliffs of the Causse Méjean and rolled down to the river Tarn with a considerable din. When the residents had recovered from their emotions and the noise had died down, the dust settled. From the village of Les Vignes, they rushed to see that the boulders were blocking the passage of the Tarn, which was barely making its way through the rocks. And so, in the Middle Ages, extraordinary and fantastic legends were born. For people of the time, the ” mystery ” of this landslide was perceived as evil. No one passed this spot without feeling fear in front of these gaunt cliffs over which the great griffon vultures hover. And so Pas de Soucy was born.
Today, the Pas de Soucy lookout has become a must-see site in the Gorges du Tarn. This picturesque site leaves no visitor indifferent, and all are impressed by the beauty of the chaos in the middle of the river.

A nice place to stop for a coffee is Sainte Enimie, in the heart of the Gorges du Tarn.
It has been awarded the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” label, thanks to its medieval charm, its narrow streets paved with Tarn pebbles, and its Burle spring at the foot of the village, which, according to legend, cured the Merovingian princess “Enimie” of leprosy.

The semi-troglodyte village of Castelbouc is next, with its ancient houses, pretty cobbled streets and picturesque, fairy-tale charm overlooked by its castle. Clinging to the cliffs of the Causse Méjean, the village was built in the shadow of the castle to benefit from its protection. By 1971 the last inhabitant died leaving the village empty. A few decades later, Castelbouc’s popularity revived, and couples bought the ruins and restored them. And now the village has gradually returned to life.

The Pont du Tarn is where you say goodbye to the River Tarn. From her you'll follow several smaller rivers through the Cévennes Biosphere Reserve as you head towards the Ardèche Gorges.
Just after you arrive at and cross Ardèche river I have suggested a lunch stop at the motorcycle friendly 'La Grotte Des Tunnels' restaurant for lunch.
Just after lunch you'll see the Pont d’Arc.
This natural limestone arch is a geological curiosity which is one-of-its-kind in the world, it was created in the rock in the most natural way possible, by the passing Ardèche river. Located at the entrance of the Ardèche Gorges, it is 54 metres high, 60 metres wide, and at least 500,000 years old! It’s THE absolute must-see of the area!

Unlike the Gorges du Tarn where the road follows on a similar level, the road through the Gorges de l'Ardèche travels high above the river offering you some truly spectacular viewpoints to stop at for photos.
From the last viewpoint called Balcon de Gournier, you will leave the Ardèche river and join the River Rhone and follow it north for about an hour to the hotel in Le Pouzin.

The next route of this tour visits the Vecors region and the famous balcony road at Combe Laval.
Enjoy