A hiking route crosses Issanlas, Chapelle Saint-Clair is located in the municipality’s forests, and Ferme Cab’riou offers goat’s cheese in the village centre. These points of interest make the village appealing for a stay that takes in nature, history and agriculture. Issanlas is a rural municipality shaped by agriculture, set in the mountainous landscape of the Ardèche; wild nature and wide-open scenery are part of its character. You can therefore get to know the village through different themes: hiking, religious history or local cheese-making.
Hiking in the Ardèche Landscape
The “Entre rivières et tourbières - Lanarce” hiking route crosses Issanlas. Along the route are sensitive areas with special species or habitats. As well as offering a hike, the route provides a glimpse of these sensitive natural environments. If you plan to take the trail, check local trail conditions before setting out.
Chapels and Religious History
Eglise St Michel dates from the late 19th century. Today’s Chapelle Saint-Clair has a different historical connection: it stands on the site of a pagan sanctuary near Roman roads that ran through Pradelles and Le Pal. The chapel is located in the forests of Issanlas and can be reached by a path through the woods. Access is free and possible upon request to the mairie; check the arrangements for visiting in advance. On the fourth Sunday in June, Chapelle Saint-Clair is the setting for a pilgrimage. Check the arrangements for the relevant year if you are considering visiting then.
Farm Produce and Cheese-Making
In the village centre, Ferme Cab’riou offers farm produce, including Picodons AOP and other goat’s cheeses at different stages of maturity. The selection may vary seasonally. Maturity is a practical criterion for choosing if you would like to discover goat’s cheese from the farm’s range. Ferme Cab’riou also offers stays that introduce visitors to cheese-making using a traditional method. You must contact the farm in advance for these stays. Farm produce and learning how it is made are two different ways to experience the local cheese-making tradition.
More Outdoor Activities
La Vallée d’Amarok offers Cani-Rando and Cani-Trottinette. Visitors can discover nature at their preferred pace or glide along the slopes of the Ardèche mountains. Reservations and weather conditions may be relevant. The provider offers professional guidance for canyoning and kayaking; availability depends on conditions and arrangements with the provider.
Near Issanlas, La Vallée d’Amarok also offers climbing and via ferrata routes at a natural site overlooking Lac d’Issarlès. Check the operating location and conditions in advance. This makes it possible to distinguish between a hiking route through Issanlas, activities with professional guidance, and climbing or via ferrata at a nearby natural site.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-Sur-Lavezon, Davézieux, Sainte-Eulalie, Aubenas, Meyras, Chazeaux, Ozon, Saint-Étienne-de-Serre.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
