Zwischen Vulkanen und Traumdörfern – Mein Weg zur Ardèche

At the end of May 2026, I set off for two weeks on my CF Moto 450 MT to explore the south of France. The rough route: Doubs – French Jura – Vercors – Ardèche – Cevennes – Luberon – three relaxing days on the coast near Le Lavandou – and back via Mont Colombis at Lac de Serre‑Ponçon. In total, it turned into about 3,200 km of pure riding fun. Along the way, I experienced plenty of wow moments – feel free to count along and see how many there will be by the end of the series. For trip planning, I can highly recommend the Facebook group and the website Route Grand Alps:   / routegrandesalpes   https://www.moppedhotel.de/routedesgr... In this episode, I ride from the Vercors into the Ardèche region and discover a side of it that many people never see. Crossing the northern Ardèche mountains, I follow small backroads through a rugged volcanic landscape until I reach the Mont Gerbier‑de‑Jonc – a striking phonolite volcano whose rocks actually ring when you walk on them. At the foot of this mountain, at around 1,400 meters, the Loire begins its journey to the Atlantic. And because this is France, there isn’t just one spring – there are three: the geographical source in an old cowshed, the tourist‑friendly “authentic” source, and the scientific source hidden in a meadow. Along the way, I pass through two villages officially listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France: Saint‑Antoine‑l’Abbaye, with its monumental medieval abbey, and Balazuc, dramatically perched between a cliff and the river. From the cool volcanic plateau, the road drops down through Aubenas, past the viaduct of Vogüé, and into the warm, classic Ardèche valley – all the way to Vallon‑Pont‑d’Arc, where I stay for two nights. A day full of contrasts: from 9°C to 30°C, from volcanic rock to Mediterranean landscapes, from tiny roads to big stories. #motovlog #motorradtour #cfmoto450mt #adventurebike #travel #biketrip #reise #reisebeschreibung #reisetipps #adventuretourer #motorcycletouring #motorcycletouringeurope #motorcycletour #frankreich #southfrance #südfrankreich #france #driveanddive #ardeche #montgerbierdejonc #loiresource #saintantoinelabbaye #balazuc #loirequelle #montdeardeche #ardechevalley