Ardèche : on the chestnut trail

Inaugurated on 9 April 2001, the Regional Nature Park covers 1/3 of the département : 145 villages and towns, about 76 500 inhabitants ,228 000 hectares. Two main towns lead into it : Aubenas and Privas. The maison du parc is in the little village of Jaujas, the starting point of numerous footpaths into the park.

Two chestnut- hemed museums

The département boasts two chestnut-themed museums : one in the medieval city of Joyeuse, with 500 exhibits related to chestnut growing , and the other in Saint Pierreville, which illustrates   the relationship between the bread tree and the local populations. It supports a lot of activities in support of chestnut groves and chestnut development .

The Protestant Vivarais Museum, installed in the Maison de Pierre et Marie Durand is set in a magnificent chestnut grove. It is partially financed by the sale of chestnut by-products.