L'Ardéchoise

Ready to rev those calves on the legendary climbs of Ardèche? ⛰️

For your annual dose of sport and conviviality 🥳, Ardéchoise is the must-attend event that makes the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes buzz 🤗. See you in mid-June in the department of the Ardèche (07) (there was a clue in the event name 🙄) for a 5-day festival with 4 days of back-to-back cycling races 🚴. The event offers an impressive total of more than 50 events and different routes 🤯, suited to all tastes, even for kids 🤩. You’ll find formats like the iconic "l'Ardéchoise" (230 km for 4 585 mD+), the "Volcanic" 🌋 (177 km for 3 325 mD+) or the cyclotourist route of the "Gentle" (85 km for 1 480 mD+) starting from Saint-Félicien 📍.

The route is no mercy and will have you crossing the Ardèche reliefs Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche 💪. You’ll pass through towns like Saint-Félicien, Lalouvesc, Saint-Agrève and Le Cheylard 🏘️. The route will push you up famous cols 📈 such as the Col de la République, the Col du Buisson, the Col de Mézilhac or the Col de l'Escrinet. You’ll ride on warm asphalt 🌞, surrounded by the wild landscapes of Boutières and the summits of the Sucs ardéchois 🏞️. Each ascent is challenging and requires smart energy management to overcome the technical difficulties smoothly 😎.

The soul of this challenge rests on a giant organization powered by 7 000 volunteers who are passionate 😇. Not less than 170 villages rally to welcome you and turn every crossing into a real festival 🎉. The vibe is incredible with street-sidebands orchestres along the roads 🎺, themed rest stops and a sea of cyclists wearing yellow and purple 🎽, the race’s iconic colors. Along the route, the local product buffets will fuel you 🍽️, while after the finish, the festival carries on with concerts 🎶 and shared meals in a warm atmosphere 🥰.

For your stay, the Ardèche offers experiences that suit the whole family 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒. You can hop aboard the Mastrousteam train 🚂 that runs through the Gorges du Doux for a quirky outing 😜. For the curious, a visit to the Grotte Chauvet 2 to admire extraordinary prehistoric paintings 🎨. If you’re after relaxation, swimming in the Eyrieux rivers or a leisurely stroll along the Dolce Via greenway are perfect for unwinding 💆‍♀️. The more indulgent among you can stop at the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona 🍫 in Tain-l'Hermitage, right nearby 🤓.

So, ready to leave a little fuel in the tank to enjoy the party? 🤪