Domaine Les Ranchisses is in the Ardeche area of France due west from Montelimar and is an excellent site that has some great amenities including a superb restaurant and a fantastic pool complex and it’s surrounded by some fantastic scenery.  We’ve stayed there twice now and both times we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s very easy to get to from the A7 although if you don’t fancy a roller coaster drive along some very windy roads that seem like you’re driving along a cliff top then take my advice and from the A7 take the N102 to Aubenas.  Then take the D104 signposted to Ales and at Uzer turn right at a roundabout onto the D5 to Largentiere.  Follow the A5 towards Rocher/Valgorge and Les Ranchisses is on the left a mile or so outside of Largentiere.  Word of warning – do not take the D103 to Largentiere, stay on the D104 otherwise you will regret it.

Largentiere itself is quite interesting to walk around and there are a number of local shops.  There is a very good wine shop as you drive in that you will pass and a reasonably sized supermarket although outside of Largentiere towards the D104 is a large hypermarket.

Les Ranchisses is run by Veronique, Philippe and their team and from the outset when you arrive and walk into reception you’ll experience a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere that impresses you from the beginning.  You then go for a tour around the site by golf buggy to be shown all the vacant pitches that you can choose from.

The site has a number of fixed tents and chalets run by tour companies as well as a great many spaces for Motorhomes and Caravans.  The pitches are fully serviced and the shower/toilet blocks are both large and very clean.  There is also a Motorhome service point.  A small river runs along the edge of the site and there are a number of riverside pitches that are available but of course these do get taken straight away.

The amenities on site are fantastic and include :

• A small shop that sells a good selection of meats, cheeses etc, household goods and of course wine from the Les Ranchisses vineyard and lots of other local Ardeche wines.

• A very nice bar where you can get snacks during the day make use of WiFi access.
  

• A Tennis court, crazy golf, table tennis and an all purpose sports field.

• Pizza and take away, a really good restaurant serving great food and an outside brasserie specialising in grilled meats.

• Last but not least is a fantastic pool complex that has a number of pools and an adults only “Wellness Centre” that has sauna, gym and a hydrotherapy pool.

Around and about there some great things to see in the Ardeche ranging from a drive through the Gorges de L’Ardeche that is suitable for your Motorhome with plenty of stop off parking, lots of caves with stunning chambers and rock formations, you can canoe up the Ardeche and of course the one thing you must see is the Pont d’Arc.  There are also a number of walks including a walk into Largentiere.

The site is surrounded by hills and trees and if you are ever there in a thunderstorm then it is a thing of beauty to behold, albeit a little scary.

If you do get a chance to stay at Les Ranchisses then be assured you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.