Aiguèze, France 🇫🇷 2023 – Michael and Pam's Travels

Date: 26th July 2023

Travelled: 12 kms on the scooter around Saint-Martin d’Ardéche

Visited: Aiguèze

Stayed: Saint-Martin d’Ardéche Aire CC, €16, N44.30350, E04.56620

Budget: 65 days @ €84 per day

We’ve found the Aire CC in Saint-Martin d’Ardeche very pleasant stop and we decide to stay another day. It’s the full holiday season here in France and the place is packed. However the sites are large and we have full shade all day. Our French neighbours are nice people and we chat away on occasions without understanding a word each other says. I did mention submarines once but I think I got away with it.

After a proper breakfast we set off to walk to Aiguèze, Google said 2 kms but by Pam’s watch a bit less. Our first challenge is to cross the Ardèche over the Pont de Saint-Martin a very narrow suspension bridge built in 1905, before walking up the hill to Aiguèze. It’s a beautiful morning and the views up and down the river are worth a quick stop here and there as we walk. Click on any of the images below and a gallery should open.

From our guide book the Most Beautiful Villages of France you’ll find Aiguèze on page 86. The village and its fortress stands on one side of the Gorges of the Ardèche overlooking the river. From 725 it was held by the Saracens it has been attacked and liberated many times since.

The Église Saint-Roch d’Aiguèze stands at the entry to the village. It’s certainly one of the most colourfully decorated church we’ve seen in a while. Parts of the church date to the 11th century but its had several rebuilds since.

Once part of the Fortress, this chapel and tower now a hotel

There’s not a lot more to Aiguèze, the fortress and remaining tower are only open to the public 1 day per year and it wasn’t today. You get a much better view of the fortress from the opposite, Saint-Martin. The laneways make an interesting walk as there’s some lovely cottages hidden here and there.

Walking back to the campsite we find a market in full swing in Saint-Martin. We buy ourselves a lovely piece of slow roasted pork and baked potatoes getting back to the Hymer in time for for a late second coffee and some relaxing. After lunch we wander down to the Ardèche for a swim and hang like the locals.

Michael + Pam