Natural arch
Over the river.
Clément Bardot — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sébastien Crego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sébastien Crego — CC BY-SA 4.0 · KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Christophe Gesché — CC BY 3.0
The Pont d'Arc is a huge natural bridge in the Ardèche department of southern France, 5 km from the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and about 57 km northwest of Avignon in a straight line. It is a highlight of the Gorges de l'Ardèche Nature Reserve and has been a protected natural site since 1931. The arch formed when the river Ardèche broke through a narrow ridge between two of its meanders. It is 59 metres wide and 34 metres high at the top of the opening, nicknamed «the gateway to the Ardèche gorges», and it is the only stone arch overhanging an active river. Nearby is the Chauvet Cave, holding some of the earliest known cave paintings, about 30,000 years old. The grey and golden limestone arch stands over clear green water, with colourful canoes gliding beneath it and cliffs and green woods around. Small pebble beaches on the banks are popular for swimming in summer. Visitors stop at viewpoints on the road above the arch or go down to the beach below it to swim. The area is one of France's best-known spots for canoeing and kayaking, with trips starting from Vallon, and it gets very busy in summer.
Over the river.
On the Ardèche.
For swimming.
Near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Ardèche, France
Yes, in summer from the beach below.
Yes, from Avignon.