Just minutes from Les Cabritas, Ruoms is a must on any tour of southern Ardèche. The old town, still ringed by its ramparts and round towers, has kept all the charm of a living medieval village. But it's the "défilé," or gorge road, that made it famous: a spectacular route carved straight into the cliff face in the 19th century, winding through tunnels and stone arches above the turquoise waters of the Ligne and then the Ardèche. It can be explored by car, by bike, by canoe, or high above on a via ferrata course, about 15-20 minutes' drive from Les Cabritas.
A road cut into the rock: a 19th-century feat
Before this road was built, the Ruoms gorge was an impassable natural barrier between the two sides of the canyon. In the 19th century, work crews carved a passage directly into the limestone cliff, alternating dark tunnels with arches opening onto sheer drops, to link Ruoms with the rest of the valley. The route has barely changed since: a narrow cliffside road best driven slowly, revealing a new view of the turquoise water and canyon walls at every bend. It remains one of the most photographed spots in Ardèche.
Canoeing, via ferrata and a medieval village: three ways to experience it
The Ruoms gorge road is more than a scenic drive — it's a full playground for outdoor lovers. By canoe or kayak, you glide beneath the arches and through the shade of the cliffs on the gentle current of the Ardèche. On the via ferrata, cables, ladders and suspension bridges let you climb high above the canyon with sweeping views, on routes ranging from family-friendly to more athletic variants. Afterwards, the old town of Ruoms, with its star-shaped lanes around the Romanesque church and its surviving ramparts, makes for an easy stroll.
Good to know before your visit
The gorge road is narrow and one-way in places during peak season, so it's best driven early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the summer crowds. Allow half a day if you're combining the drive, canoeing and the village. From Les Cabritas in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, Ruoms is about 15-20 minutes' drive away, making it an easy outing to add on even late in the afternoon.
Practical information from Les Cabritas
- Distance from Saint-Alban-Auriolles: about 15-20 minutes' drive
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn for the road and walking, summer for canoeing and swimming
- Ideal for: families, thrill-seekers, canoeing, via ferrata, landscape lovers
Want to discover Ruoms and its Gorge Road from your Ardèche gîte?
Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche welcomes you in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, in the heart of Southern Ardèche, for a comfortable stay with a private pool, just steps from the region's most beautiful sites.
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