Car-free break: terroir in the heart of the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire
This car-free holiday takes you to discover the rich heritage of the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire du Vivarais méridional, between Viviers, Saint-Montan and Bourg-Saint-Andéol, and its exceptional terroir.
Discover the banks of the Rhône, historic monuments, lavender fields, picturesque villages and passionate winegrowers.
The stay we are proposing here is a 3-day, 2-night itinerary by hike or bike, and bus.
This trip is part of our “car-free” approach. On this page you’ll find all the information you need to organize your visit and travel by public transport.
Day 1: Around Viviers
You arrive at Montélimar station, where you take bus line 20 or line 19 to Viviers.
Once you’ve arrived in Viviers, take time to explore the ancient capital of the Vivarais region. Viviers is a small town on the banks of the Rhône, classified as a remarkable heritage site for its wealth of medieval and Renaissance monuments. Discover the picturesque, shady streets, vaulted passageways, basic houses with Romanesque and Gothic doors and windows, Renaissance facades and 18th-century townhouses. Don’t miss the magnificent façade of the Maison des Chevaliers, once owned by Noël Albert, a merchant who made his fortune trading salt on the Rhône, but who was also a lover of the arts. This “antique” façade was rebuilt in the 16th century. Continue on to the former bishop’s palace. This prestigious monument boasts an Italian salon, the bishop’s reception room, covered with mural paintings. Built in the 18th century as a private mansion, it became the town hall in 1986. Viviers also boasts the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, France’s smallest working cathedral!
For a fun way to discover the town, we recommend downloading the Baludik application. Several Smartphone-based treasure hunts are available in the villages of the Gorges de l’Ardèche. In Viviers, it’s called “Sur les traces des bâtisseurs de Viviers” (In the footsteps of the builders of Viviers), and the adventure invites you to uncover the secrets of these architects of the past.
A little outside the town center, we suggest you take the walk to the Roman bridge. This remarkable work of art, dating from the 2nd century, crosses the Escoutay river over a distance of some 110 metres, and consists of eleven arches. Its ashlar construction lends it a remarkable solidity and elegance that have seen it through the centuries. You can download the GPX track here.
Continue on a tiny road that climbs steadily through the vegetation to reach the Chapelle Saint-Ostian, a Romanesque building dating from the 11th century, sheltered at the bottom of a valley and bordered by century-old plane trees and vines.
To round off this first day, you can visit the local beekeeper “Bourg Apiculture” to learn more about the life of bees and taste their tasty honeys (call ahead to 0475974555!).
Day 2: In the footsteps of the Hermit at Saint-Montan
For the remainder of your stay, we offer 2 options depending on your preferences: cycling or hiking.
Cycling option
Heading south from Viviers, take the ViaRhôna cycle path along the Donzère gorge to the Robinet bridge, a listed historic monument. After ten kilometers, turn off towards Saint-Montan, a village of character whose narrow streets climb up to the medieval castle. You’ll love wandering through the narrow streets, from the keep to the castle esplanade, from the chapels of San Samonta to Sainte-Marie Madeleine, from seigneurial houses to artists’ cellars, from the Portalet spring to the Eylieux stream.
From Saint-Montan, cycle route no. 4 takes you on a 12 km ride around the village. This short ride offers a variety of landscapes and unparalleled views over the village. First cool by the river, you’ll make a short climb up to the Ermitage hill before passing through undergrowth and the Coteaux du Vivarais vineyards. You can also opt for the “L’ermitage de la Sainte Beaume” hike, between Saint-Montan and Larnas (7 km/3h).
Then head to Bourg-Saint Andéol for a wine stop at Domaine Notre-Dame de Cousignac, just 4 km away. This estate, certified organic since 2007, has 5 guest rooms and an organic bistronomic restaurant. The winemaker produces organic wines, preferably unfined and with no added sulfites. Each year, he creates an experimental cuvée that takes him on a wild adventure! Aging the wine in a cave, on Mars, or listening to music played in a cellar during fermentation…
Hiking option
From Viviers, head south on the GR 42 to the medieval village of Saint-Montan. Allow around 10km and 3 hours’ walking. From there, it’s the same as for the cycling option.
Day 3: Bourg-Saint-Andéol, vineyards and heritage
Cycling option
From Saint-Montan, a downloadable itinerary takes you back to the ViaRhôna via small roads through landscapes shaped by viticulture.
Continue along the ViaRhôna to Bourg-Saint-Andéol (GPS track). This small town boasts a remarkable heritage dating from Antiquity to the Renaissance. You’ll love wandering through the narrow streets to discover the former Palais des Evêques and the mansions of the merchants of this ancient port along the Rhône. Don’t miss the Tourne valley, with its washhouse, ancient Mithra bas-relief and 2 Vauclusian resurgences. Ideal for a picnic featuring local produce!
In Bourg-Saint-Andéol, too, you’ll find a Baludik trail you can download onto your Smartphone to discover the town in a fun, self-guided way: “the secret recipe of the Mariners’ beef”.
Push open the door of a winery to perfect your knowledge of Saint-Andéol – Villages. Whether you visit Domaine Coulange, Château Les Amoureuses, Château Rochecolombe or the Cave Coopérative, you’re sure to meet some passionate winemakers!
Hiking option
Head south from Saint-Montan on the GR 42 to Bourg-Saint-Andéol. Allow around 13km and 4 hours’ walking. The rest of the day is identical to the cycling option.
Getting to Viviers without a car
You arrive at Montélimar station, where you take bus line 20 (6 buses/day except Sundays and public holidays) or line 19 (5 buses/day except Sundays and public holidays) to Viviers.
To make it easier for you to get around:
You can rent a mechanical or electrically-assisted bicycle. See rental information.
If you’re bringing your own bike, take the train to Donzère (TER) and join Viviers on the ViaRhôna (GPS tracks).
Leaving Bourg-Saint-Andéol
To leave Bourg-Saint-Andéol, you can easily cycle to the Pierrelatte or Donzère train stations.
By bus, take line 20 Montélimar – Pont Saint Esprit to Montélimar station (TER/TGV) or line 29 Boug-Saint-Andéol – Pierrelatte to Pierrelatte station (TER).
The stay we are proposing here is a 3-day, 2-night itinerary by hike or bike, and bus.
This trip is part of our “car-free” approach. On this page you’ll find all the information you need to organize your visit and travel by public transport.
Day 1: Around Viviers
You arrive at Montélimar station, where you take bus line 20 or line 19 to Viviers.
Once you’ve arrived in Viviers, take time to explore the ancient capital of the Vivarais region. Viviers is a small town on the banks of the Rhône, classified as a remarkable heritage site for its wealth of medieval and Renaissance monuments. Discover the picturesque, shady streets, vaulted passageways, basic houses with Romanesque and Gothic doors and windows, Renaissance facades and 18th-century townhouses. Don’t miss the magnificent façade of the Maison des Chevaliers, once owned by Noël Albert, a merchant who made his fortune trading salt on the Rhône, but who was also a lover of the arts. This “antique” façade was rebuilt in the 16th century. Continue on to the former bishop’s palace. This prestigious monument boasts an Italian salon, the bishop’s reception room, covered with mural paintings. Built in the 18th century as a private mansion, it became the town hall in 1986. Viviers also boasts the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, France’s smallest working cathedral!
For a fun way to discover the town, we recommend downloading the Baludik application. Several Smartphone-based treasure hunts are available in the villages of the Gorges de l’Ardèche. In Viviers, it’s called “Sur les traces des bâtisseurs de Viviers” (In the footsteps of the builders of Viviers), and the adventure invites you to uncover the secrets of these architects of the past.
A little outside the town center, we suggest you take the walk to the Roman bridge. This remarkable work of art, dating from the 2nd century, crosses the Escoutay river over a distance of some 110 metres, and consists of eleven arches. Its ashlar construction lends it a remarkable solidity and elegance that have seen it through the centuries. You can download the GPX track here.
Continue on a tiny road that climbs steadily through the vegetation to reach the Chapelle Saint-Ostian, a Romanesque building dating from the 11th century, sheltered at the bottom of a valley and bordered by century-old plane trees and vines.
To round off this first day, you can visit the local beekeeper “Bourg Apiculture” to learn more about the life of bees and taste their tasty honeys (call ahead to 0475974555!).
Day 2: In the footsteps of the Hermit at Saint-Montan
For the remainder of your stay, we offer 2 options depending on your preferences: cycling or hiking.
Cycling option
Heading south from Viviers, take the ViaRhôna cycle path along the Donzère gorge to the Robinet bridge, a listed historic monument. After ten kilometers, turn off towards Saint-Montan, a village of character whose narrow streets climb up to the medieval castle. You’ll love wandering through the narrow streets, from the keep to the castle esplanade, from the chapels of San Samonta to Sainte-Marie Madeleine, from seigneurial houses to artists’ cellars, from the Portalet spring to the Eylieux stream.
From Saint-Montan, cycle route no. 4 takes you on a 12 km ride around the village. This short ride offers a variety of landscapes and unparalleled views over the village. First cool by the river, you’ll make a short climb up to the Ermitage hill before passing through undergrowth and the Coteaux du Vivarais vineyards. You can also opt for the “L’ermitage de la Sainte Beaume” hike, between Saint-Montan and Larnas (7 km/3h).
Then head to Bourg-Saint Andéol for a wine stop at Domaine Notre-Dame de Cousignac, just 4 km away. This estate, certified organic since 2007, has 5 guest rooms and an organic bistronomic restaurant. The winemaker produces organic wines, preferably unfined and with no added sulfites. Each year, he creates an experimental cuvée that takes him on a wild adventure! Aging the wine in a cave, on Mars, or listening to music played in a cellar during fermentation…
Hiking option
From Viviers, head south on the GR 42 to the medieval village of Saint-Montan. Allow around 10km and 3 hours’ walking. From there, it’s the same as for the cycling option.
Day 3: Bourg-Saint-Andéol, vineyards and heritage
Cycling option
From Saint-Montan, a downloadable itinerary takes you back to the ViaRhôna via small roads through landscapes shaped by viticulture.
Continue along the ViaRhôna to Bourg-Saint-Andéol (GPS track). This small town boasts a remarkable heritage dating from Antiquity to the Renaissance. You’ll love wandering through the narrow streets to discover the former Palais des Evêques and the mansions of the merchants of this ancient port along the Rhône. Don’t miss the Tourne valley, with its washhouse, ancient Mithra bas-relief and 2 Vauclusian resurgences. Ideal for a picnic featuring local produce!
In Bourg-Saint-Andéol, too, you’ll find a Baludik trail you can download onto your Smartphone to discover the town in a fun, self-guided way: “the secret recipe of the Mariners’ beef”.
Push open the door of a winery to perfect your knowledge of Saint-Andéol – Villages. Whether you visit Domaine Coulange, Château Les Amoureuses, Château Rochecolombe or the Cave Coopérative, you’re sure to meet some passionate winemakers!
Hiking option
Head south from Saint-Montan on the GR 42 to Bourg-Saint-Andéol. Allow around 13km and 4 hours’ walking. The rest of the day is identical to the cycling option.
Getting to Viviers without a car
You arrive at Montélimar station, where you take bus line 20 (6 buses/day except Sundays and public holidays) or line 19 (5 buses/day except Sundays and public holidays) to Viviers.
To make it easier for you to get around:
You can rent a mechanical or electrically-assisted bicycle. See rental information.
If you’re bringing your own bike, take the train to Donzère (TER) and join Viviers on the ViaRhôna (GPS tracks).
Leaving Bourg-Saint-Andéol
To leave Bourg-Saint-Andéol, you can easily cycle to the Pierrelatte or Donzère train stations.
By bus, take line 20 Montélimar – Pont Saint Esprit to Montélimar station (TER/TGV) or line 29 Boug-Saint-Andéol – Pierrelatte to Pierrelatte station (TER).
Opening / Rates
Opening
From 01/01 to 31/12/2024.
