Top 20 Natural Monuments around Saint-Andéol
Best natural monuments around Saint-Andéol encompass a diverse range of natural features across several French localities. The region includes areas within the Vercors Regional Natural Park and the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park, offering varied geological and scenic landscapes. These locations provide opportunities to explore high-altitude lakes, ancient volcanic formations, and significant mountain passes. The natural environment is characterized by its geological heritage and offers numerous trails for outdoor activities.
Best natural monuments around Saint-Andéol
- The most popular natural monuments is Grand Veymont, a summit that is the highest point of the Vercors. It offers extensive views of the Alps and the Vercors plateaus. The presence of ibexes is a notable feature.
- Another must-see spot is Col de l'Allimas, a mountain pass located at 1,354 meters. This pass offers one of the most comprehensive views of the massif, including the peaks of Grand Veymont and Mont Aiguille.
- Visitors also love Col des Deux, a mountain pass with a 12.3 km ascent from St-Andéol. It features a total elevation gain of 588 m and an average gradient of 7%.
- Saint-Andéol is known for its summits, mountain passes, and geological formations. The region offers a diverse range of natural monuments, from high-altitude lakes and ancient volcanic craters to impressive summits and geological formations.
- The natural monuments around Saint-Andéol are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 160 upvotes and over 100 photos shared.
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Grand Veymont
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Col de l'Allimas
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45th Parallel North Monument
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Wikipedia says: The 45th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 45 degrees north of Earth's equator. It crosses Europe, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean. The 45th parallel north is often called the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole, but the true halfway point is 16.0 km (9.9 mi) north of it (approximately between 45°08'36" and 45°08'37") because Earth is an oblate spheroid; that is, it bulges at the equator and is flattened at the poles.[1]
At this latitude, the sun is visible for 15 hours 37 minutes during the summer solstice, and 8 hours 46 minutes during the winter solstice. The midday Sun stands 21.6° above the southern horizon at the December solstice, 68.4° at the June solstice, and exactly 45.0° at either equinox
Source: Wikipedia
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La Grande Moucherolle
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Col des Deux
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Tips from the Community
In the afternoon heat on the south-facing slope, very little shade. The last 3km are steep. Warning, no water at La Bâtie (cemetery gate locked), refill well before!
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Stunning view and perfectly marked trail. Remember to bring water, there are no springs on the plateau.
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From Saint-Michel-les-Portes, it's about 7 km at an average gradient of 8%. The last few kilometers often reach double digits. A cruel climb if it's the last one of your day...
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Beautiful view and nice place with a table
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As pretty at the top as at the bottom, lots of ways to get to the top, accessible for all levels (not technical but lots of elevation gain depending on your starting point) but it's worth it!
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The Col des Deux is not located in the Bauges Massif but in the Vercors between the Col de l’Arzelier and the Col de l’Allimas. This trilogy is well known to cyclists in the Grenoble metropolitan area.
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Whether you're on gravel or mountain bike, this is a must-do for the many trails, paths, and roads that surround it. And the view of Mont-Aiguille 🤩
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The Col de l’Allimas – 1352 m – is a pass located to the east of the Vercors Massif but it is an isolated pass because it does not allow you to reach the interior of the massif. On the other hand, it offers one of the most beautiful views of the massif with the remarkable peaks of the Grand Veymont and Mont Aiguille. Source: alpes4ever
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most notable natural monuments to visit around Saint-Andéol?
The region offers a diverse range of natural monuments. Highlights include Grand Veymont, the highest point of the Vercors with extensive views and ibex sightings. Another significant spot is Col de l'Allimas, a mountain pass offering comprehensive views of the massif, including Grand Veymont and Mont Aiguille. The Corrençon Natural Icehouse is also a unique geological formation worth exploring.
Are there family-friendly natural monuments in the Saint-Andéol area?
Yes, the 45th Parallel North Monument is considered family-friendly. It's a symbolic place where you can stand exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole, offering an interesting educational stop for all ages. The general landscapes of the Vercors Regional Natural Park and Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park also provide many accessible areas for families to enjoy nature.
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around Saint-Andéol?
You can expect to see a variety of natural features, including impressive summits like Grand Veymont, and scenic mountain passes such as Col de l'Allimas and Col des Deux. The region also features unique geological formations like the Corrençon Natural Icehouse. Furthermore, the Aubrac plateau, near one of the Saint-Andéol localities, is home to the high-altitude Lac de Saint-Andéol, formed within an ancient volcano crater.
What outdoor activities can I do near these natural monuments?
The Saint-Andéol region is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous mountain biking trails, such as those listed in the MTB Trails around Saint-Andéol guide. For hikers, there are challenging mountain hikes, including a loop to Grand Veymont, detailed in the Mountain Hikes around Saint-Andéol guide. Cycling enthusiasts can explore routes like the 'East Balcony of the Vercors – Col de l'Allimas loop' found in the Cycling around Saint-Andéol guide.
Are there any historical or cultural natural monuments in the Saint-Andéol area?
Yes, the Lac de Saint-Andéol on the Aubrac plateau is steeped in history and legend, having been a sacred site for pagan rituals since the 6th century. Offerings were made there until the 19th century. Additionally, near Bourg-Saint-Andéol, you can find the Dolmens du bois des Géantes, ancient megalithic structures that are part of the region's rich heritage.
What do visitors enjoy most about the natural monuments around Saint-Andéol?
Visitors frequently praise the stunning panoramic views, especially from summits like Grand Veymont, which offers 360-degree vistas of the Alps and Vercors plateaus. The presence of wildlife, such as ibexes and marmots, is also a significant draw. Cyclists appreciate the challenging ascents and rewarding views from passes like Col des Deux and Col de l'Allimas.
Which Saint-Andéol location is best for geological exploration?
Saint-Andéol-de-Vals in Ardèche is particularly notable for its geological heritage. It is part of the Regional Natural Park of Monts d'Ardèche, which has been classified as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2012 due to its exceptionally rich geological features. This area is ideal for those interested in geology and scenic landscapes.
Can I find natural monuments within a regional natural park near Saint-Andéol?
Absolutely. Several Saint-Andéol localities are situated within or near regional natural parks. Saint-Andéol-en-Quint is located within the Vercors Regional Natural Park, offering picturesque views and a tranquil setting dominated by the Ambel spur. Saint-Andéol-de-Vals is part of the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Are there any natural monuments suitable for cycling in the region?
Yes, mountain passes like Col de l'Allimas and Col des Deux are very popular among cyclists. The Cycling around Saint-Andéol guide features several routes that incorporate these and other scenic passes, offering challenging climbs and rewarding views.
What is the best time of year to visit the natural monuments around Saint-Andéol?
The best time to visit largely depends on the activity. For hiking and cycling, late spring to early autumn (May to October) generally offers the most favorable weather conditions. During these months, trails are typically clear, and the views are at their best. Winter can offer unique experiences, especially for snowshoeing or ski touring, but some areas may be less accessible due to snow and ice, such as the Corrençon Natural Icehouse which is an ice reserve.
Are there any natural monuments near Saint-Andéol that are known for unique geological formations?
The Corrençon Natural Icehouse is a prime example, being a 14-meter deep cave formed by the dissolution and erosion of limestone. It was historically exploited for ice. Additionally, the Lac de Saint-Andéol on the Aubrac plateau is a natural monument formed within an ancient volcano crater, showcasing significant geological history.
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