Domaine de Clarat 
welcomes you to come discover 
the Doux Valley
(the smile of the Ardèche Region)

In the north Ardèche the Doux Valley welcomes you with a smile.

You leave the Rhône Valley with the song of cicadas, go through the hills of Saint Joseph vineyards overlooking Tournon-sur-Rhône to reach Lamastre and the medieval village of Désaignes. As you move towards Domaine de Clarat (10km from Désaignes) you follow the forest and colourful vegetation along the Doux river. 

From its source to the Rhône, the Doux river offers a wide variety of landscapes for your delight. Down from the Valley, where the Doux pounces in the Rhône river, through the hills of Saint Félicien, up to the plateau overlooking St. Agrève, the landscapes modulate their images to your nice enjoyment.

the river Doux runs along Domaine de Clarat

A land of fresh water.

The fresh water of Doux Valley offers you a variety of water activities such as sailing, canoeing, swimming ... and fishing. 
In lakes or rivers, or in the vivacious waters at the bottom of the steep gorges between Lamastre (about 30 km from Domaine de Clarat) and Tournon.
 
The picture left shows you the Doux river in our vicinity.
This is not far from the source of the river, which guarantees a pure and unpolluted fresh water.

A land of very pleasant walks.

The Doux Valley offers hundreds of kilometres of various signed tracks (including GR 42 and GR 7)

With its gorges, rivers, lush meadows and shade of ancient chestnut trees, you go back to the authentic pleasures of a rich and generous nature.

Hiking, horse riding, cross country, biking or guided tour of the numerous villages. Just pick your own itinerary !...

   

A land of sweetness.

Departing from Tournon, the "Mastrou" steam engine
(a narrow historic railway) skirts the Doux river and its sheer gorges. 
Little by little, the Valley opens up on fresh green meadows surrounding Boucieu Le Roi.  In a last whistle, the train finally stops in Lamastre a charming hilly town with rich history and internationally famous gastronomy.

A land of savours.

The Doux Valley is also known for its rich flavours: it offers wines (AOC St.Joseph), fresh fruits like apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, raspberries directly available from the producers. 
Wild berries like blueberries, blackberries well as a wide range of cheese such as fresh and dry home made goat milk St.Félicien.
Last but not least, its dry sausages, hams and pâtés galore are all popular local specialties for you to taste.

A rich show of activities

About flavours 
April       : Wine tasting party (St.Joseph)
August   : Onion fair and more ....
       Raspberry fair
October : Apple fair
       Sweet chestnut fair ...
 About sport
April     : La ballastine (semi-marathon)
     Le Bacchus (trail)
June      : l'Ardéchoise (cycling)
October: Sweet chestnut cross country
Links (in English) about the Ardèche.
Vallee du doux - the Doux Valley
Safaripark in Peaugres
The park of vulcano's "Vulcania"
French office of tourism
Lamastre and surroundings
The weather forecast in the Ardèche (Lamastre)
The website of the city of Lyon 
PDF folders about the "Vallée du Doux" and 
                                       "leisure"
 About culture and heritage
July       : International Festival of Arts
     Festival of Polyphonic Art
               Lamastre en Scène (concerts)
     Equiblues 
August  : National Festival of Humour
     Art Festival in St. Agrève
                          .....and many more .....

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