Discover Sablons: art, the Rhône and heritage

Sablons offers several distinct points of interest to consider when planning a trip: the Moly-Sabata artists’ residency, culture on the banks of the Rhône, maritime heritage and the nearby Réserve naturelle de l'île de la Platière. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Sablons, first consider whether a particular date, the riverside setting or your journey will shape your stay. This will help you focus your search around a specific reason for visiting.

Moly-Sabata: artists’ residency and architectural history

Moly-Sabata has been an artists’ residency since 1927. The building dates back to the 18th century and is located in the Fond de Sablons area of Sablons. On April 20, 1964, it was classified as one of the Isère department’s 25 picturesque sites. The dates refer to different aspects: the building’s age, the start of the artists’ residency and its subsequent protected status.

Moly-Sabata provides studios and resources throughout the year. An annual exhibition helps raise the residency’s public profile. Visitors are received at Moly-Sabata by appointment. If you’d like to include the artists’ residency in your trip, be sure to arrange your visit in advance.

Art, events and maritime heritage

Since 2008, Sablons has been home to the sculpture Honorine, a work by visual artist Jeff Saint Pierre. Nautical jousting also remains part of Sablons’ heritage associated with the Rhône. Each generation in Sablons and Serrières has produced French champions in this discipline. Here, the Rhône is not only part of the landscape but also a point of reference for maritime heritage.

A specific event on the calendar is the Foire ancestrale de Sablons, taking place on November 21 and 22, 2026. If you’re planning your trip around this event, check the event details again before booking. For a visit to Moly-Sabata, however, an appointment in advance is required.

The Rhône riverbank and the nautical centre

Along the quays of Sablons, a stone embankment protects the village from flooding by the Rhône. It is 1,200 metres long and can stand more than five metres high. The riverfront also features small squares, an island and boat ramps. These features give the riverbank both a protective function and a varied design.

The Base nautique is a free facility on the banks of the Rhône that is open all year round. It includes a landscaped area and a picnic area. Check local conditions before visiting. A nautical club also trains at the Base nautique in barque racing and for competitions. This means the site offers both riverside recreation and nautical training, which are separate activities.

Nature nearby

The Réserve naturelle de l'île de la Platière is located between Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf and Sablons. It has four waymarked discovery trails, a chain ferry to the island and a birdwatching area. Access may depend on flooding and wind conditions. If you’d like to visit the nature reserve, check the conditions for your visit; this is particularly important for planning your day when the weather is changeable.

Getting there by train or ViaRhôna

The SNCF TER Annonay–Le Péage-de-Roussillon line serves the Sablons le pont stop. Connections to Lyon and Valence are available with a change at Le Péage-de-Roussillon. Check the timetables before setting off so you can plan your journey to suit your stay.

The ViaRhôna stage to Sablons follows a paved, traffic-free route throughout, except at the entrance to Sablons. Routes and road layouts can change, so check the current route before your ride. The train and ViaRhôna offer different considerations for getting there: for the train, the stop and transfer matter; for the cycling stage, it’s the exception at the village entrance.

When planning, it’s also helpful to consider the timing of each feature: Moly-Sabata’s architectural history and the stone embankment are permanent features of the area, while the Foire takes place on set dates in November 2026 and a visit to the artists’ residency requires an appointment in advance. Access to the nature reserve may depend on wind and flooding. This will help you see which details to check before booking and which to check shortly before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Morette, La Combe-de-Lancey, La Salle-En-Beaumont, Montcarra, Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas, Claix, Chichilianne, La Frette.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.