Bois de Païolive (Wood of Païolive) is located near the village of Chassagnes in Ardèche department of France. The wood of Païolive measures 5 kms in every direction and shelters a maze of galleries of rock masses and pinnacles hidden among bushes. The forest environments of white oak trees, mineral atmosphere of fantastic shapes and mossy rocks of Wood of Païolive make it a captiving place to feel the enchantment of nature. This is one of the strangest geological place of southern Ardèche where visitors of all ages can let their imagination run free. Like many karstic areas around the world, Wood of Païolive harbor a large concentration of natural arches.

See also features named L'Ours et le Lion, Le Pont des Fées, Porte d'Auguste and L'Elephant.


This natural arch is located on Les Merveilles (The Wonders), a secluded area of Wood of Païolive. The opening has an estimated height of 3.0 meters.



This other natural arch which look like as a big elephant has a measured span of 3.5 meters and can be visited on les Merveilles (The Wonders) locality.

 



                        

This natural arch is located close to the entrance of the karstic labyrinth of Bois de Païolive. The opening has a measured height of 2.6 meters.





The two following natural arches are located on the area called Le Labyrinthe (The Maze). It is the most attractive area of Wood of Païolive included a bunch of passageway and natural arch.



                        

This natural arch can be found on the area called Le Bestiaire (The Bestiary). This area shelters also L'Elephant (The Elephant). The opening has a measured height of 3.0 meters. 




                  18 other examples of karstic arch on Bois de Païolive are represented below.