Closeby in Barjac there are all necessary shops. The Supermarket, various boutiques and of course several Bakeries. Also a gasoline station, a Post-office, a Bank with cash- point, a Chemist and a couple of restaurants. Barjac is a small late medieval town of approximately 1600 inhabitants, a charmingly typical burgh of the South of France. Among local attractions there are Pétanque competitions , village Fêtes, and twice a year, one of the most famous Antiques Fairs of the South of France (Easter and 15th August). Friday is Market Day : you will find fresh produce and all local and regional delicacies and specialities such as sausages, goats cheese, honey, and Provence Herbs.
Towns and Around...
Vallon Pont D’Arc on the Ardèche river, famous for its stone bridge, and for river canoeing expeditions...
Uzès, small town with a Provençal atmosphere, numerous artefact boutiques, artists’ shops and good
restaurants...
Montclus, small quiet village with a pleasant bathing area...
The biggest regional market is on a Wednesday in Bagnols sur Cèze (approx 30 km).
Famous historical sites to visit are just 1 to 1.30 hours away : Orange, Avignon, Arles, Nîmes, Pont du Gard, Saint Rémy de Provence, Les Baux en Provence, and the Camargue.
The beauty of the Cévennes is also famous for St Ambroix and Bessèges, leading through undisturbed wilderness, forests, vales and dales, such as one rarely gets the opportunity to see nowadays.
Take off for cross-country walks, excursions, cycle rides near or far, to suit your own rhythm and abilities. The tracks and altitudes are all described on panels and in the IGN N° 59 map (1/100 000). As well as in the Michelin map N°80. For further afield, or for longer excursions, take food and refreshments with you as shops close during lunch hours. One can bathe closeby in the Cèze and the Ardèche, there are many small intimate creeks to discover as well as large beaches such as Vallon Pont d’Arc. Close to St Privat there are several Nudist Camps with a very good reputation. And for those who wish to explore elsewhere, the water is always fresh and clean.
One can practice Canöe and Kayak on both rivers, the material is rented out for a determined time and stretch of river, then recovered by the owners at arrival. The favourite starting point is Vallon Pont D’Arc.
There is also a Paint-Ball site at St Privat, and 2 Adventure Courses, one on the way to Alès, the other at Vallon Pont D’Arc.
Horse-back excursions can be organized in several of the regional riding centers.
Visit 3 great prehistoric caverns and caves closeby, one with the most beautiful stalagtites in France (and abroad)is in Orgnac, approximately 10 km from Barjac.
The Ardèche valley and its affluents is a real treasure-trove of various sites for rock-climbers. Persons interested must purchase special maps to access these sites. All levels of capacity are taken into account.
Local Fêtes are on during the entire summer season in all the surrounding villages and towns. Complete with Pétanque competitions, which are here, a real social event !
Festivals are on in the bigger towns, of which the famous Orange Festival of Music and the Avignon Theatre Festival, both in July. Or assist to an open-air show in Montclus or Barjac.
And for those adepts of traditional Occitanian (old Provençal ) literature or music, the most typical local representative is Bagnols sur Cèze where there is a book market.
