Best time to go to the Ardèche region for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 14/11/2024When is the best time to go to the Ardèche region?
From a weather perspective, the best time to visit Ardèche is between early May and late September. However, this beautiful department can be visited year-round, depending on the experiences you wish to have on site:
- To swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Ardèche gorges or canoe down the river, the ideal time is to go in July or August, in the heart of summer. This is when the temperatures allow for full enjoyment.
- If it's really hot and you want to cool off, head to explore the Chauvet 2 Cave, where the temperature never exceeds 15°C (59°F) !
- For biking trips along the Via Ardèche, an old railway line entirely dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians over 53 km, prefer the months from May to October. Even though showers are to be expected, the atmosphere remains mild.
- If you want to go canyoning, two periods are possible. In spring, from March to June, the water flow is particularly high, offering experienced athletes thrilling sensations. For beginners wanting to try the activity, the best time is in summer, when the rapids are calmer and the water warmer.
- To hike and enjoy nature, spring is a splendid season in Ardèche. The meadows are then covered with colorful flowers, and animals come out of hibernation, making them easier to observe. In autumn, the trees display vibrant colors, which you can admire by taking a path among the 6000 km of marked hiking trails or the 300 km of greenways in the department.
- Want to enjoy a gourmet stay discovering Ardèche's local produce? You can certainly taste the delicious local specialties, regardless of the season, but autumn is a great option to indulge in chestnuts during the harvest period. The theme of wine can also be the guiding thread of this gastronomic interlude, by visiting the “Vignobles & Découvertes” certified estates, where winemakers will gladly share their know-how.
- To enjoy the joys of snow, particularly in the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park, go between December and February. This is the time for skiing, sledding, and walks in magical landscapes. It is even possible to cross the department's mountains on ski touring, snowshoes, or dog sleds over 120 km, along a route situated between 1220 and 1550 m in altitude, dotted with refuges.
- When to go to Ardèche to avoid the crowds? The tourist season runs from May to September, with a peak in attendance in July and August. The good compromise for pleasant weather while being quiet is to go in April or October, unless you prefer winter sports.
Annual weather in Ardèche
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Ardèche for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F to 49°F | very bad weather | |||
| February | 32°F to 50°F | very bad weather | |||
| March | 36°F to 59°F | very bad weather* | |||
| April | 43°F to 67°F | tolerable weather | |||
| May | 50°F to 72°F | good weather | |||
| June | 59°F to 81°F | perfect weather* | |||
| July | 63°F to 86°F | perfect weather* | |||
| August | 59°F to 86°F | perfect weather* | |||
| September | 52°F to 79°F | good weather* | |||
| October | 45°F to 67°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| November | 40°F to 56°F | bad weather* | |||
| December | 36°F to 50°F | very bad weather |
Best time to travel to Ardèche by cities
Climate and Weather in Ardèche
The department is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, between Lyon and Montpellier. The climate of Ardèche is largely influenced by the many reliefs that compose it, as well as its geographical position. Three types are distinguished:
- A temperate oceanic climate is largely predominant as it covers 60% of the territory. This is the climate found in the capital, Privas, as well as in Annonay, further north.
- A temperate Mediterranean climate mainly benefits the southern part of the department, around Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
- More rarely, a warm Mediterranean climate can be found, particularly in the region of Viviers and in the Rhône valley.
Generally speaking, it is warmer in the south of the department than in the north, while the Ardèche Mountains have a harsher climate due to their altitude. The temperature range is quite significant, whether between seasons or during the same day, precipitation is low throughout the year and the sun is generously present.
Summer Climate in Ardèche
Like in the neighboring Drôme, the weather in Ardèche from late June to late September is absolutely perfect. The heat is present, although one should be prepared for occasional rainy episodes, especially at the beginning of the season.
- At the end of June, it is around 27°C (81°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night.
- In July and August, the maximum temperatures peak at an average of 30°C (86°F) , with highs regularly approaching 35°C (95°F) . In the evening, the atmosphere cools down and the minimum temperatures range between 15 and 17°C (63°F) .
- In September, precipitation is even rarer and it is still around 26°C (79°F) during the day and 11°C (52°F) at night.
Autumn Climate in Ardèche
- October still offers splendid sunny days with temperatures close to 20°C (68°F) at the warmest part of the day. At night, however, it gets cold, averaging 7°C (45°F) . This month is marked by slightly more abundant rainfall, but it shouldn't spoil your stay.
- November is marked by a drop in temperatures. Expect maximums close to 13°C (56°F) and minimums falling below 5°C (41°F) . The first snowflakes appear on the hills, while the plains are regularly watered.
- December is drier, but the mercury continues to drop: around 2°C (36°F) at night and 10°C (50°F) during the day.
Winter Climate in Ardèche
Although temperatures are rarely negative, winter remains quite cold in Ardèche and snow falls regularly.
In January and February, it is around 0°C (32°F) at night and between 9 and 10°C (50°F) during the day. In March, the mercury begins to rise gently, with minimums around 6°C (43°F) and maximums nearing 15°C (59°F) . However, rain is a bit more present as spring approaches.
Spring Climate in Ardèche
While the last days of March are still dominated by coolness, the weather gradually improves over the following weeks:
- In April, it is still quite cold at night with an average of 6°C (43°F) . Weather conditions are much more pleasant during the day, with temperatures generally around 20°C (68°F) .
- In May, expect 3 to 4°C (40°F) more, but rain is more prevalent throughout the department.
- In June, the beautiful days are here and summer temperatures arrive. Expect maximums around 27°C (81°F) and minimums close to 15°C (59°F) .
Temperatures and rainfall in Ardèche
On these 2 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Ardèche and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Privas, Alba-la-Romaine, Annonay, Ruoms and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Ardèche
Find out when Ardèche has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Ardèche
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Ardèche is high in: May, June, July, August and September.
- Very low season in Ardèche: January, February and December.
- Low season in Ardèche: March, April, October and November.
- High season in Ardèche: May, June and September.
- Peak season in Ardèche: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Ardèche month by month
Where to go in Ardèche?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Privas | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Alba-la-Romaine | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Annonay | 43°F | 47°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 74°F | 79°F | 79°F | 72°F | 63°F | 52°F | 45°F |
| Ruoms | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Vallon-Pont-d'Arc | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Vogüé | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Balazuc | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Labeaume | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Lamastre | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 67°F | 54°F | 47°F |
| Parc naturel régional des Monts d'Ardèche | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Aubenas | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Beaulieu | 49°F | 50°F | 58°F | 63°F | 70°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 77°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Gorges de l’Ardèche | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Le Cheylard | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Les Ollières-sur-Eyrieux | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Orgnac-l'Aven | 49°F | 50°F | 58°F | 63°F | 70°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 77°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Saint-Agrève | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Saint-Montan | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Sampzon | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 67°F | 56°F | 50°F |
| Satillieu | 45°F | 49°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 85°F | 85°F | 76°F | 67°F | 54°F | 47°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Ardèche
What can I do in Ardèche?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Ardèche reliable?
Climate data for Ardèche has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Ardèche allows us to determine the average for each month in Privas, Alba-la-Romaine, Annonay, Ruoms, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Vogüé, Balazuc, Labeaume, and 17 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.