Car-free holiday: nature and slowtourism in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche

A green resort for many years, the commune is strongly committed to ecotourism, and has also been awarded the "famille plus" label and "Pavillon bleu" beaches. You'll find a wide range of accommodation, local shops, restaurants and even several markets in season. An ideal base camp for the whole family in spring and summer.

This holiday is part of our “car-free holiday” initiative. On this page you’ll find all the information you need to organize your visit and travel by public transport.

Swimming

Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche’s two beaches, le grain de sel in the heart of the village and Sauze at the exit of the gorges, offer a wide range of services: supervised swimming in July and August, paddle-boating, pedal-boating and kayaking. They offer direct access to the Ardèche Gorge, which can be easily navigated upstream for several kilometers.


Hiking
– Sentier des gorges aval: hike up the majestic Gorges de l’Ardèche and enter the nature reserve on a trail reserved for good walkers.
– Les portes des Gorges: this hike takes you up to see the Ranc des Banastres dolmen, and offers magnificent views of the end of the Ardèche gorges and one of France’s most beautiful villages (Aiguèze).
– Le Louby: a short, uphill circuit starting from Sauze and descending into the Louby stream ravine to the end of the historic Gorges trail.
– Piboulette: an easy loop passing by the Château du Bosquet and returning to the shade of the riparian forest bordering the calm Ardèche after leaving the Gorges.


Canoeing:
Rental companies in Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche offer 1 or 2-day canoeing trips down the Ardèche Gorges, as well as shorter options, including a 6km canoe trip downstream to the Pont Cassé beach.
Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche is an ideal base camp for a 2-day stay with bivouac in the heart of the Gorges de l’Ardèche national nature reserve, by canoe or on foot (shuttle service available with canoe rental companies).

Cycling :
– VTC and Gravel link between Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche and Saint-Just-d’Ardèche: 5.2 km and low gradient on small, easy roads and paths.
– Loop 8: “Champs et Vergers” easy 13.5 km circuit with 75 m, on very small roads with very little traffic, passing between orchards and lavender fields among others. Close to the confluence of the Rhône and Ardèche rivers.
– 2 links of 3.2 and 3.5 km between Saint-Just-d’Ardèche and St-Marcel-d’Ardèche, forming a loop on small, low-traffic roads with little change in altitude.
– Pump track (scooter, skateboard, BMX, mountain bike), tennis, self-service weights, bowling green.

Heritage

– Visit Aiguèze, listed as one of “France’s most beautiful villages”, within walking distance (2km).
– Grotte de Saint-Marcel (round trip on foot through the Ardèche Gorges for a day trip)
– Bourg-Saint-Andéol and Pont-Saint-Esprit, towns with a remarkable heritage along the Rhône, are 10 km away and make for a great day’s cycling.

Where to stay?
You’ll find a wide range of accommodation within a 1.5km radius.


How do I get there without a car, and when?
Train to Pont-Saint-Esprit or Montélimar station
Bus line E20 Pont-Saint-Esprit – Montélimar

The line serves Saint-Martin ONLY during school vacations, with 2 buses every day except Sunday.
4 bus stops +/- 250 m from the nearest accommodation
School vacations: spring vacations – July and August.

From 04/07 to 31/08/2026 daily.