Wild France with Ray Mears S01E02 - The Ardeche

Ray travels to the Ardeche, where miles of gorge and limestone cliffs characterise the region. He discovers a cave with a long history in the area and is given special permission to abseil in through the original sky facing entrance. Deep in the cave he finds a stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites, before crawling through narrow tunnels to see new chambers, sealed off from the public. Once back on land he starts out his journey down the Ardeche river by canoe.

Along the way he meets local wildlife ranger Olivier, who shows him a Viperine, frogs and teaches Ray some the traditional uses of local plants. They climb high up the cliff face to find a cave used since prehistoric times and Ray finishes his journey watching beavers busy on the river.