Remarks
A monument in its own right, the 34m-high, 59m-wide arch, spanning the Ardèche, is an astonishing creation of nature, formed by the gradual erosion of an enormous rock which the river once flowed around. Legend has it that a woman, taken from her husband by a villain, was returned to him by the river with the help of God who created an opening in the rock. From the Pont-d'Arc, the departure point for canoes and kayaks, the Ardèche is a succession of bends and rapids, running through a fabulous landscape. The river runs through cliffs often rising to a height of 300m. Extraordinary panoramic views can be seen from the various viewpoints. The vegetation of the surrounding limestone plateaux is mainly composed of oak copses, the greenery forming a sharp contrast with the white of the cliffs.