TMR Canada on Scene: The Secret and Wild World of Ardeche, France

“Usually, we describe Ardeche as secret, wild and intense.”

And just like that, Martine Maurice of the Vals Lea Bains Tourist Office, got immediate attention from a group full of weary eyes after a long day of travelling.

Travel Market Report Canada is in the South of France for the country’s annual trade show Rendezvous which brings together buyers, travel advisors and suppliers from around the world. Just in our pre-FAM trip group alone, through the Arderge-Rhone-Alpes region, the US, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Turkey, India and Spain are represented. It’s only been less than 24 hours in the country, but already we’ve visited a castle and had an authentic French dinner.

Ardeche is part of the Pays d’Aubenas-Vals-Antraigues region which features historical heritage, wild valleys, steep mountains, cultural life and typical small-town villages; Ardeche after all is home to only 3,500 people.

“I am very honoured to introduce you to our pretty area,” Maurice told our group at our welcome dinner Thursday night. “Our area is between mountains and volcanoes, with many rivers. Here our villages are full of character; some perched on rocky peaks, others at the bottom of a valley, others have a Romanesque church in the village square.

All this beautiful nature allows you to immerse yourself in a lot of outdoor activities like hiking, cycling or canyoning, or simply breathe. Our region offers an amazing biodiversity and geological places recognized by UNESCO.”

Ardeche is only our first stop on a five-day FAM trip that includes visits to a lavender field, an underground cave, an olive mill and of course, wine tastings.

Stay tuned to Travel Market Report Canada next week as we make our way through the region before ending up in Lyon, home to the Rendezvous conference April 1 and 2.