Some Bed and Breakfast room owners organise theme holidays for weekends and longer periods.

Vulcanology in the Ardèche

Explore the Monts d’Ardèche Regional nature reserve through its young volcanoes, guided by a geologist whose knowledge will thrill you. Visit the Ray-Pic waterfall, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, the source of the river Loire, Lake Issarles and the craters of volcanoes. Rate : 169€ per person for 3 days / 2 nights in Gîtes de France Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

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Hike in the hills above the Rhone river valley with pack donkeys to carry your bags

Take a breath of fresh air in the meadows and forests of "Green Ardèche". Four and eight day excursions with overnights in Gîtes de France Bed and Breakfasts. Exceptional views over the Ardèche volcanoes and the Alps. Ideal family holidays Children love to ride and pet the pack donkeys. Rates : 215 to 505€ per person. Information : Gîtes de France Ardèche + 33 (0)4.75.64.70.70 : contact@gites-de-france-ardeche.com

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Angling escapade

Sandrine and Jean-Luc invite you spend a weekend learning more about trout fishing. Rooted in his region, your host will take you fishing along the class one stream bordering the property and invite you to share the angling secrets of Paul, a highly skilled fisherman, over dinners cooked with local colours and savours. For beginners and experts alike, your guides will teach you how to fish with flies, live bait, guided minnows and lures. In the afternoon you can laze and enjoy the peace and quiet with time out in the jacuzzi, the swimming pool and the sauna. Accommodation : Gîtes de France listed Bed and Breakfast or S/C accommodation. Comfort level: 3 ears of corn. Rate : 195€ per person for 3 days / 2 nights.

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Biking holidays

If you want the ideal spot for every kind of biking, from gentle touring to fast road work, racing and mountain biking, Les Boutières, at the gateway to the "Montagne Ardéchoise", is it! Enjoy the huge diversity of landscapes including the Eyrieux and Doux river valleys, the "Peaks" road with Mont Mézenc and Mont Gerbier de Joncs and vast chestnut groves. Enthusiastic bikers Danye and Bernard have restored an old silk twisting mill in tiny Talaron valley to pamper you and organise all kinds of bike touring and sporting excursions in a very friendly atmosphere. You can choose between pottering and performance training, using the local hills for their views – or their steepness ; soit en privilégiant le côté ludique, soit sur le côté sportif avec des parcours d'entraînement en profitant du relief local. Accommodation : 5 Bed and Breakfast rooms. Comfort level : 3 ears of corn. The rate for parties of 12 people is 40€ per person per day including overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.

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Relaxation Weekend. Cooking with wild plants

Get away from it all for a weekend in the heart of the Monts d'Ardèche regional nature reserve! Your hosts will be happy to share their art of living with you. Traditional "Ardéchois" fare and savours – and botany. Learn to select and cook local edible wild plants, fruit and vegetables, particularly in Springtime. In the autumn, you will be amazed by the varieties of produce grown by local farmers in their gardens and orchards. From 270€ for two people (2 days, 2 nights) in B&B accommodation. Comfort level : 3 ears of corn .

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Holidays in a vineyard

Come to the heart of the southern Ardèche vineyards for holidays as a family or with friends. Francis and Michele will host you in their working winery. Francis will take you round his vines and explain the factors that make his wine so distinctive - the soil, the choice of vines and traditional and modern winemaking methods. Finally, of course, you taste the wines from the area. From 160€ for two people per weekend in Bed and Breakfast rooms. Comfort level : 3 ears of corn.

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Savours of the Ardèche. Farming today - and yesterday

For a get-away weekend, why not share the life and know-how of local farmers who open their farms - and their hearts - to make you feel at home. The best way to find peace and quiet and develop a taste for authentic values. From 200€ for two people (3 days / 2 nights) in Bed and Breakfast rooms. Comfort level : 3 ears of corn.

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The Silk Road through the Ardèche

For several centuries, the Ardèche raised silk worm cocoons then unravelled and twisted the silk fibres into skeins before they were woven in Lyon, one of the world's great silk trade capitals. A delicate and fascinating world to explore during your stay in this former silk worm farm. Your hosts are passionately interested in the story of silk and will explain all the secrets involved in its making. From 170€ for two people. 3 days / 2 nights in Bed and Breakfast rooms. Comfort level : 2 ears of corn.