Saint-Jean-du-Gard: Heritage and Trails in the Cévennes

Saint-Jean-du-Gard can be explored through different aspects of its heritage and hiking trails. Historic buildings, the history of the silk industry, markets and signposted routes offer different starting points for planning your stay. You can focus on architectural history, landscapes or regional produce—or combine these themes.

Architectural history and the silk tradition

The Vieux Pont was built in 1733 to replace a ford across the Gardon that had been fitted with wooden planks. Faithfully rebuilt, it now forms part of the summer promenade known as the “tour des ponts.” The bridge thus brings together its historic function as a river crossing and its seasonal designation as a promenade.

The Tour de l’Horloge is the surviving bell tower of a Romanesque church built in the 12th century by the Benedictines of Saint-Gilles. The Protestant Temple stands on Place Carnot. The building as a whole was listed as a historic monument by decree on 8 August 2019. These buildings represent different chapters in the town’s history, from medieval church architecture to an officially listed monument.

The silk industry is also part of the town’s history. Maison Rouge was the last silk-spinning mill still operating in France and closed in 1965. Its permanent exhibition comprises almost 10,000 objects on defining themes in Cévennes culture and society. These include landscape development, agriculture, religion, silkworm rearing, housing and chestnuts. The exhibition thus ranges from the shaping of the landscape to religious life and everyday forms of housing.

Hiking among terraces and viewpoints

Saint-Jean-du-Gard is the starting point for more than 150 kilometres of signposted hiking trails of varying difficulty. When choosing a route, you can consider its level of difficulty alongside the scenery. The trails also differ in the views or themes they highlight.

The Les Escorces route crosses abandoned terraces that were once planted with olive trees and grapevines. Dry-stone walls define these terraces, and the view extends as far as Mont Aigoual. The hike is accessible by public transport via the “SAINT-JEAN-DU-GARD - La Poste” stop. Check the timetable when planning your journey. By contrast, the route to Pic d’Arbousse offers views of Saint-Jean-du-Gard and the Cévennes. Les Escorces combines views of a historic terraced landscape with distant vistas, while Pic d’Arbousse looks out over the town and the Cévennes.

Another hiking route is the Chemin de Stevenson. In 1993, it was signposted as the GR® 70 between Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille and Saint-Jean-du-Gard. This route information places the trail in the wider context of its two endpoints, beyond the town itself.

More things to do in the town and surrounding area

The Train touristique des Cévennes runs for 13 kilometres between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, offering a journey on historic steam locomotives to discover the Parc national des Cévennes. If you are planning to take the train, check the timetable. Rando Land is an approximately one-hour circular walk through the town for children aged 4 to 12. They discover Saint-Jean-du-Gard’s heritage by solving riddles along the way. If you are travelling with children in this age group, both the age range and approximate duration are useful points of reference.

Markets and visitor information

The two markets differ in their schedule and offering. The traditional Tuesday morning market takes place year-round in the town centre. Its food section is in the covered market halls and the surrounding area. The Saturday morning producers’ market takes place from Easter to All Saints’ Day on Place de Marché. It offers seasonal products such as goat’s cheese and chestnut honey. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between a year-round weekly market and a seasonal producers’ market. Dates and exact market layouts may change; check the details before your visit.

The Saint-Jean-du-Gard tourist office provides visitors with large-print documents, a Braille brochure about the town’s heritage and a brochure in Easy Read. These formats can help you prepare for a visit and explore the town’s heritage.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-De-Peyrolas, Arpaillargues-Et-Aureillac, Molières-Sur-Cèze, La Vernarède, Saint-Julien-de-la-Nef, Aulas, Clarensac, Ribaute-Les-Tavernes

View the wider travel guide: Gard.