Have you been dreaming of the green and wild Ardèche ? It's within easy reach, or rather, just around the corner.
By train, bus, horse, or bike, let me tell you how I traveled the small roads of the Ardèche without needing to take the car!
This weekend, it's decided: the car is staying in the garage! I want to travel responsibly, and since I've been hearing for so long that it's too complicated, I've decided to take up the challenge.
STRESS-FREE GETAWAY, NO CAR
Well, it's true, I am concerned about my carbon footprint, but above all, I can't stand spending half my day stuck in the car anymore. So when I saw this charming invitation for a nature weekend in Ardèche I rushed: I'm going, but certainly not to spend 8 hours stuck in traffic on the highway !
RETURN TRIP TO NATURE
Car-free vacation Act One: Let's go! The first scene takes place at Part Dieu station in Lyon (it could also be set at Valence TGV station, but I'm picking up my friends who are arriving from Paris). Backpack and comfortable sneakers for a relaxing weekend!
We board the TER train to Tain-l'Hermitage. The regular service is quite convenient, with trains leaving about every hour.
When we arrive at Tain station, I cross the Rhône via a pretty footbridge to finally reach the Ardèche region, in the beautiful town of Tournon-sur-Rhône. The girls are in a hurry to get there and decide to take the bus (the E5 line connecting Tournon to Lamastre). I'm more old school, a fan of steam trains, so I decide to take the historic Train de l'Ardèche railway line.
And there! The railway that winds through the Doux valley to Lamastre is a marvel. The panorama is really worth the detour; the Ardèche lives up to its promises. The historic train pulled by a steam locomotive is a journey back in time in itself. With its gentle and contemplative pace, the disconnecting stay begins in an epic and authentic way.
A few movie scenes movie come to mind: it was on this train in Ardèche and at this station that scenes from the movie Knock and the TV series Capitaine Marleau were filmed.
MY RESPONSIBLE HOLIDAYS
Act Two : How to enjoy the Pays de Lamastre without taking the car. Want to explore our region by bike? It's easy! Several of our accommodations offer bike rentals, ready to take you on a journey to discover the landscapes of the Pays de Lamastre. Just give your host a call and your bikes will be waiting for you, ready to take you on the region's roads and trails.
For the first scene of this cool & green holiday challenge, it makes sense to eat local! A quick trip to the Lamastre market to enjoy local products and Ardèche specialties. Fruit and vegetables from producers in the Pays de Lamastre have traveled no more than 20 kilometers to end up in our baskets. Ardèche goat cheeses, chestnuts, and sweet treats tantalize our taste buds. After a break to taste some roasted coffee and a scoop of artisanal ice cream, we set the program.
Specialities
Discover local products from the Lamastre region: fruit, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, and artisanal wines.
The markets
Discover the markets of the Pays de Lamastre! A friendly gathering where you can savor local produce and meet our producers!
Autumnal Gourmand
In the fall, enjoy gourmet festivals, workshops, hikes, and tastings showcasing local produce.
NO CAR BUT PLENTY OF POSSIBILITIES!
We choose to take the bus, with lines E5 and E7 departing from the city center. I can't decide between visiting the medieval village of Désaignes or going to the Boucieu-le-roi Vélorail, so we extend our stay to do both. Nearby and accessible on foot or by bike, the sites of Saint-Basile and the Retourtour lake offer a pleasant stroll. Cycling is ideal, as we are at the start of the Dolce Via a mostly unpaved route that is perfect for a day in the countryside or even a tour of the Ardèche.
Partner bike rental companies
ZEN WEEKEND
Honestly, I was really worried about it, but with the right information and help from theTourist Office in Lamastre, my car-free weekend went really well. In addition to the pleasure of being driven around and enjoying the scenery to the full, I gained the feeling of traveling without polluting, in line with my aspirations, and that is really satisfying !
MY CAR-FREE TRAVEL MEMO
Here is some practical information to help you organize your car-free stay in the Lamastre region:
👉 The Lyon Part-Dieu and Valence TGV stations offer TER connections to Tain-l'Hermitage or SNCF buses to Annonay.
👉 Bus lines E5 to Tournon-sur-Rhône and E7 to Annonay will take you to Lamastre.
Bicycle transport 👉 The E05 bus is equipped with a bike rack from April to November. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance by calling 04 8000 7000 (the number of bikes per vehicle is limited).