Southern department of Ardèche harbor many karstic landforms (called lapiaz in french) which formed maze of rocks like the surrounding area of Gorges du Chassezac near the village of Les Vans. Most of the natural arches located on these karstic labyrinths are expanded crevice, narrow crack through rocks or natural tunnel of irregular shape and sometime badly proportioned. These karstic landforms shelters also an abundance of joints and faults which are not considered like a natural arch. The opening found on these karstic sites are not always photogenic and difficult to highlight through dense vegetation. Some best examples are represented below.

This karstic arch is located on Gorges du Chassezac on L'Agachou locality near the hamlet of Casteljau in Ardèche department of France. The opening has an estimated span of 2 meters. A marked trail cross through the arch.




This karstic arch is located on the cliff above Ardèche River near the delightful village of Balazuc in Ardèche department of France. The opening has an estimated span about 2 meters.




This natural arch about 2.5 meters of span is located on the rim of the cliffs above La Ligne River (close to the confluence with Ardèche River) near the hamlet of Le Bois Saint-Martin in Ardèche department of France. An interesting "track game" path accross karstic area cross the opening. IGN topographic map Top 25 number 2939 west Gorges de l'Ardèche (pleat A1).




This natural arch about 2.3 meters of height can be found on the vast lapiaz called Les Gras located around the delightful village of Labeaume in Ardèche department of France.

                       

This other karstic arch is situated on the deep crack below the previous natural arch and have roughly 3 meters of height.

                       


The three following natural arches are located on the side of Ardèche River near the hamlet of Les Louanes in Ardèche department of France. Its is carved through several karstic joints (diaclase) formed by the river at floods.

                       

                       

                       


The two small following arch are located on the vicinity of the hamlet of Fontgraze on the karstic area of Les Gras in Ardèche department of France.

                       

                       


These five next natural arches are located in the vicinity of Chapias on karstic area of Les Gras in Ardèche department of France.

                       

                       





                         


The two following arches are located near the hamlet of Linsolas on the karstic area of Les Gras in Ardèche department of France.

                         

                         


This small karstic arch about 1.2 meters is located near the hamlet of Le Bois Saint-Martin in Ardèche department of France.