Editing Ardèche (section)

====Bas-Vivarais====

The Ardèche river flows into the Rhône, following a generally southeasterly course. This [[Karst]] region is formed of calcareous [[limestone]]s, where the streams flow in steep-sided valleys separated by sharp crests. With a generally low altitude the Bas-Vivarais enjoys a warm, dry, almost Mediterranean climate. Skies are wide and bright, temperatures more elevated (3 or 4&nbsp;°C in January). The winds from the northeast are dominant, but those of the south (known as the "vent du midi") and west are full of humidity, bringing heavy precipitation for a few days at a time. The few rivers, the Lavezon, Escoutay, and Frayol, provide less of a hydrological resource than one sees in the crysaline granitic areas to the north. This is a country of wine, shrubland, cereals, and extensive fruit trees (this is the region of [[Aubenas]] and of [[Joyeuse, Ardèche|Joyeuse]]).