Naves

Visit Naves, Rhone-Alpes

Naves is found a couple of kilometres west Les Vans, close to the south-eastern border of the Ardeche. The village is listed as an Ardeche 'village of character'.

Note: Naves doesn't exist as a commune name anymore - it is part of Les Vans, a larger town in the Ardeche. Hence in guide books it is sometimes referred to as Les Vans (Naves) - confusing, as you set off to explore Les Vans...be aware that they are separate entities a couple of kilometres apart.

Explore Naves

Cars are not permitted to enter the village of Naves - it is a pedestrian only village. Parking is along the road below the entrance.

Enter the village and stroll along the narrow passages through the village as they pass between some very picturesque old houses, with plants and flowers bursting from every available space.

As you explore further into the back streets of the village you find the properties progressively more abandoned, until reaching some which are now in ruins as if waiting to see whether they will be renovated and become part of the 'tourist attraction' or disappear for ever back into the mountains...keep going there are further great views at the far end of the village.

Most paths end at the small square in front of the pretty little church in Naves (in use as an art gallery at the time of our visit) - an attractive spot with steep terraces tumbling away down the hill below the church.

There is also a 'sentier botanique' that follows around the back of the village, a chance to see and enjoy a little of the surrounding landscape and enjoy the regional plants and flowers. The pathway is signposted to the right shortly after entering Naves village.

Les Vans, the nearby town which now includes Naves, is a pleasant town for a stroll and has a small historical centre around the church. Although it has no particular highlights, Les Vans has all facilities and supermarkets, banks etc. and there are also a couple of museums, including a Museum of Archaeology.

Photos of Naves (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Naves, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Vallon Pont d'Arc 21km; La Garde-Guerin 22km; Balazuc 22km; Pont d'Arc 23km; Ailhon 27km; Jaujac 28km; Vogue 28km; Thueyts 31km; Le Pont de Montvert 31km; Aubenas 31km; Meyras 33km; Aigueze 36km; La Roque-sur-Ceze 39km; Antraigues-sur-Volane 39km; Saint-Montan 39km; Anduze 40km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Naves

Naves tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Bois de Païolive - site of natural beauty (5km) : Jardin du mas de l'Abri - remarkable garden (12km) : Grotte de la Cocaliere - site of natural beauty (12km) : Jardin du Tomple - remarkable garden (16km) : Gorges du Gardon - grand site of france (17km) : Gorges de l'Ardeche - grand site of france (20km) : Aven d'Orgnac - grand site of france (25km) : Ales - ville fleurie 4* (32km) :

French version: see Naves (Francais)