Driving the scenic D290 road through Gorges de l'Ardeche
France, europe
49.3 km
285 m
hard
Year-round
# Gorges de l'Ardèche: France's Jaw-Dropping Canyon Drive
Picture this: You're cruising through one of France's most stunning natural wonders in the Ardèche department, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Welcome to the Route des Gorges—also known as D290—a legendary balcony road that'll make your heart race (in the best way).
This fully paved 49.3 km (30.63 miles) stretch winds from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Saint-Just-d'Ardèche, snaking through the Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges with limestone cliffs soaring up to 300 meters overhead. Fair warning: if heights make you nervous, you might grip the steering wheel a bit tighter on some of the narrower, more dramatic sections. But honestly? The jaw-dropping views are totally worth it.
The locals call it the "European Grand Canyon," and for good reason. These gorges plunge over 285 meters deep, featuring prehistoric caves, grottoes, and canyons that have drawn over a million visitors annually. It's not just beautiful—it's archaeologically significant too.
Plan for a full day if you want to do this drive justice. There are 11 viewing points scattered along the route, plus plenty of pull-over spots begging for photos. Pro tip: head out early to beat the crowds, though parking can be tight at peak times. Watch out for occasional rockslides, so stick to designated parking areas to stay safe.
This is the kind of drive you'll be talking about for years.
Where is it?
Driving the scenic D290 road through Gorges de l'Ardeche is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.5257, 0.2930
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 49.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 285 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.5257, 0.2930
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