The Barjac Blog

Best River Swimming Spots (Part I)

St Denis belle baignade. Fantastic wild-river swimming in Ceze with a restaurant and parking

I am always being asked about the best places to go swimming in the rivers near Barjac. Here's a great recommendation for those less adventurous folks...

Where to stop off on a drive from Calais to South of France? (part I)

reims cathedral son-et-lumiere driving from Calais to Languedoc Rousillon

Often people ask me where would be a good place to break a journey south. If you are planning a road-trip down south there are some amazing stops if you venture off the motorway and into some of France's most historic and impressive cities and towns.

Cevennes Holidays, Yoga, Relaxation

Le Massala, Gite en Cevennes Retreat in the Cevennes

Change your perspective... a yoga break in the Cevennes. Gite le MAS'SALA

Watching the Night-Sky in Barjac

View from Barjac to Cevennes, Sunset.

So, it's sunset. I am waiting for the darkest hours before dawn, however. This morning we were treated to the most spectacular show of meteor showers of the year. The Perseid Meteors streak across the sky leaving a train, and in the short summer nights we can see up to 50 an hour.

Foire à la brocante et aux antiquités Barjac / Antique Fair, Barjac

Antiques fair barjac, gite, chambres, foire a la brocante barjac

Twice a year at easter and in the middle of august Barjac is at it's most bustling with the foire a la brocante et aux antiquites. Antiques dealers from all over France arrive first, parking up their vans and laying out their wares, closely followed by buyers and browsers from all over the world.

Summer Events in Barjac

enjoying a glass of rose at the Barjac festival Chansons de Parole

The Festival de Barjac takes place every July and is a celebration of the French tradition of Chansons de Parole. During the festival the streets fill with the sound of music, here is a video of a lovely soiree at the restaurant next to our holiday apartments and gites in Barjac, Maison Anila.

Anselm Kiefer’s Studio Art Gallery near Barjac

Anselm Kiefer's Studio Art Gallery near Barjac

German artist Anselm Kiefer bought his old silk factory at 'La Ribaute' in Barjac in 1993 and over the years it has metamorphosed into an incredible theatre of creativity. Talking about his property in Barjac he said;

Cévennes steam train, a great kids activity at Anduze

Cévennes Steam Train at Anduze, near Barjac

The Train à Vapeur des Cévennes starts its journey from the town of Anduze and travels to St Jean de Gard. This trip on a restored steam train is great fun for young and old. It is an easy day trip from Barjac, at around one hour away.

Grotte Chauvet, Heritage Site at Vallon Pont D’Arc

Vie of Grotte Chauvet not far from Barjac

In 1994 a team of speleologists including Eliette Brunel-Deschamps, Christian Hillaire and Jean-Marie Chauvet discovered a cave in the Ardeche, not far from Barjac.

The cave is located near Vallon Pont D'Arc and contains the oldest cave european cave paintings. The Paintings are thought to date from 32,000 years ago and depict a dazzling array of animals; as well as the often found species such as horses and cattle there are incredible drawings of lions, panthers, bears and owls.

River swimming and canoeing near Barjac

Within 10 kms of Barjac there are countless river-swimming holes. You can paddle safely out from sandy beaches into the fresh water of the River Ardèche from the famous Pont d'Arc beach. On the river Cèze are the quiet beaches at the medieval village of Montclus.