Autumn holidays in Ardèche: chestnuts and Indian summer

Ah, autumn… that time of year when the trees glow red, the blankets come out again and the table fills with squashes. And if there’s one place where the season truly comes alive, it’s in Ardèche.

Rows of blooming lavender stretch toward the horizon, with green trees and rolling hills in the background under a clear sky. The image is taken at a low angle, capturing the vivid purple flowers closely.

When autumn arrives in Ardèche, the hills burst into colour, the forests glow with a thousand shades and the air carries the sweet scent of wood smoke and damp earth. It’s the perfect time to slow down and take in the landscape. In the valleys, chestnut trees bend under the weight of their fruit and the paths are strewn with russet leaves. Market stalls overflow with pumpkins in every shape and hue.

The off-season is the perfect time to discover Ardèche in a different light — calmer, more authentic and closer to nature. Activities, walks, villages, charming houses to rent… follow the guide and savour autumn, Ardèche style.

Must-Visit villages
in Ardèche

Balazuc

Ranked among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Balazuc is a gem perched above the Ardèche River. Its cobbled streets, medieval houses and river views make it a magical stop, especially when the golden stone glows in the autumn light.

Things to do: walk down to the pebble beach, visit the Romanesque church, and climb up to the viewpoint at sunset.

Vogüé

Another village suspended between cliff and river, Vogüé is watched over by its feudal castle. In autumn, the vineyards surrounding the village turn red, and the summer crowds give way to a peaceful calm.

Things to do: visit the castle, stroll along the voie verte (former railway line), and enjoy a coffee by the water.

Thueyts

Famous for its Pont du Diable spanning the Ardèche gorges, Thueyts is spectacular in autumn, when the surrounding vegetation turns shades of red and gold.

Things to do: hike to the bridge, wander through the historic center, and admire the view from the “King’s Chair” viewpoint.

Not a weekend in Rome, but right here in Ardèche. © Fabien TWB

Must-do Autumn activities
in Ardèche

When autumn arrives, chestnuts reign supreme in Ardèche. © Sare

Local Festivals and Castagnades

Between October and November, many villages celebrate the chestnut with markets, live events, tastings, and gourmet walks…

Not to miss: the *Castagnades in Joyeuse, Privas, or Saint-Pierreville.

Hikes and Walks

The temperatures are ideal for walking at this time of year. You can explore the Bois de Païolive, a true labyrinth of rocks and legends, the Ardèche Gorges with their breathtaking views free from summer crowds, or climb Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc to see the source of the Loire and enjoy a full 360° panorama.

Craft and Cultural Activities

Try a pottery, glassblowing or weaving workshop, all common in the Ardèche mountains. Visit the Musée de la Châtaigneraie in Saint-Pierreville or explore the Ardèche Museum in Balazuc, dedicated to fossils and geology.

*The castagnade, formerly known as a 'roustide,' refers to the art of gathering and roasting chestnuts with family or neighbors. Since the 1980s, the term castagnade has become widely used to describe chestnut festivals in Ardèche.

The kind of sunset made to be admired in Ardèche. © Eva-Maria Fabian

Local delicacies
to pack in your basket

Chestnuts, of course, reign supreme — in velvety soups, sweet purées, drizzled over warm crêpes or simply roasted and still steaming at the market. But they are not alone: goat cheese appears on every table, from aged picodon to mountain tomme.

All of this is best enjoyed with a glass of local wine, often a Gamay or a plateau Syrah, and a drizzle of golden honey from nearby hives. The most indulgent linger over desserts such as pear clafoutis, chestnut flour cake or homemade fig jam.

The other stars of the season are, of course, squash. © Alexandra

The most beautiful houses in Ardèche
where to stay

The path leading to La Suite Méditerranéenne.

The bedroom of La Suite Méditerranéenne.

La Suite Méditerranéenne

When travelling through Ardèche, the best way to stay is in a charming local home, and the region has no shortage of them. A perfect example is La Suite Méditerranéenne.

At the end of a path lined with olive trees, the light softens, cicadas hum in the distance and the golden stone glows in the sun. Welcome to La Suite Méditerranéenne, a former Ardèche farmhouse transformed into a holiday home. Nestled among oak, pine and century-old cedar trees, the house overlooks a small stream and offers, to those who take the time to slow down, a simple yet precious sight: nature in motion.

Its architecture, typical of the region, features thick stone walls, rounded arches and traditional terracotta roof tiles. A house rooted in its landscape, shaped by time and lovingly restored. Inside, a bright cocoon awaits, designed for two travellers seeking calm, authenticity and a touch of Mediterranean art de vivre without straying too far from home.

La Maison du Soleil

Another equally delightful option is La Maison du Soleil. Perched on the heights of Saint-Montan, a charming medieval village in southern Ardèche, the house truly lives up to its name, with light filling every corner.

Built in 2007 by a Belgian who fell in love with the region, the house has since been carefully renovated by its current owners, a Franco-Belgian couple who infused it with their love of simple beauty and conviviality. “We wanted to create a place where you feel instantly at ease,” explains the owner, an architect and designer.