Site House
Gerbier de Jonc, a house at the source of the Loire
The opening of the site in July 2017 follows two and a half years of redevelopment work on the site, carried out by the Ardèche Department as part of the policy in favor of Sensitive Natural Spaces (ENS) in the Ardèche region.
The visitor centre is a place for welcoming, informing and discovering, at the heart of an iconic natural site. It allows visitors to better understand the landscape, geological and cultural riches of the area, while preparing their visit to Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc and the sources of the Loire.
You will be able to admire "1 km," a work by Olivier Leroi that celebrates the Loire and its course. This artistic installation, integrated into the project "The Division of the Waters", highlights the beauty and diversity of this territory.
The work was commissioned from the artist by the Department as part of its policy in favor of contemporary art in its public buildings.
The Visitor Centre invites you to delve into the fascinating history of the Earth through a new exhibition of 13 kakemonos dedicated to the geology of the Ardèche Mountains. This illustrated tour unveils the mysteries of the subsoil: discover why our rocks are black, how volcanoes shaped the current landscape, and learn more about the dinosaurs that left their footprints on our land..
A true showcase of the Ardèche mountains and the department, the site also features a shop area offering local produce, crafts, and regional books. For outdoor enthusiasts, our advisors are available to help you plan your ascent of Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc or guide you along the Loire River's source trail.
Bourlatier Farm
Bourlatier, witness to the architecture of a territory
On the eastern foothills of the Massif Central, in an area with a harsh climate, at an altitude of 1.380 meters, this old XNUMXth century farmrd century, planted like a fortress in the heart of a windswept plateau, is now an unmissable site located 3 kilometers from Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc.
You will admire its typical architecture, its 900 m2 phonolite slate roof (local volcanic slabs), its frame in the shape of an upturned vessel, its impressive volumes (50 meters long and 10 meters wide).
From this old farmhouse typical of the Ardèche Mountains, experience the history of the region and discover the richness of the surrounding nature through activities accessible to all.
To learn all the secrets of Bourlatier, don't hesitate to follow one of our free visits or with the accompaniment of a guide.
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A natural site
Welcome to the Sensitive Natural Area of Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc and Mézenc: a little piece of the Alps in Ardèche.
On this site, the cradle of the longest river in France, the Loire, the environment is home to flora and fauna typical of high mountains. Volcanic and more than seven million years old, they are home to the Lycopodium, a type of small fern that emerged from the dawn of time, and the Alpine Marmot. A magnificent landscape made up of volcanic peaks, plateaus and majestic cirques, recognized as a listed site in France and the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Monts d'Ardèche. Towering over the whole area from a height of 1.551 m, Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc is surrounded by domes, mountain lakes, wild moors, narces, peat bogs, and ancient forests. Climbing it is a chance to experience beautiful emotions, views, and a breathtaking panorama. As for biodiversity, it is exceptional here. Carefully preserved and enhanced as part of the Ardèche Sensitive Natural Areas and the European Natura 2000 network.
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In the Ardèche Mountains, you will also find theENS Tanargue and Borne as well as theENS “Coucouron Peat Bogs and Otter Streams”, led by the Montagne d'Ardèche Community of Communes
