Saint-Jean-du-Gard
Visits and activities
in Saint-Jean-du-Gard
Saint-Jean-du-Gard is a village in the south of France in Occitanie, located west of the town of Alès and only 1 hour 15 minutes from your campsite in Gard. Full of charm, it lies at the foot of the Gorges du Gardon.
The town offers a preserved natural environment ideal for beautiful walks and other outdoor activities. With its magnificent landscapes and splendid panoramas, the village itself is well worth a visit.
Discover its castle, museum, Pont Vieux bridge, railway station served by the Cévennes steam train at the beginning of the 20th century, and Stevenson’s fountain during your stay in the Gard: Saint-Jean-du-Gard has no shortage of attractions to visit.
Exploring
Saint-Jean Castle
This monument is one of the wonders of the village of Saint-Jean-du-Gard that is well worth a visit. It was the main residence of the local lordship.
Destroyed by the French king’s army in 1560, the castle was rebuilt and enlarged in the 17th century.
It bears witness to the Wars of Religion that left their mark on the Cévennes region. The castle has housed famous figures, from the Duke of Rohan to the Duke of Noailles. Discover the history of this building by taking a guided tour that will reveal all its secrets.
Discover
the Pont Vieux
This stone structure spanning the Gardon River was built in the 18th century. It is one of the must-see monuments of Saint-Jean-du-Gard to enjoy during your holiday in Occitanie in the south of France. This beautiful structure is located 900 metres from the village market square.
It has been swept away several times by rising river waters and has also witnessed the turbulent past of the Cévennes region during the Wars of Religion. The bridge also connected Saint-Jean-du-Gard to the town of Sumène for trade. Today, the Old Bridge is listed as a historic monument.
Visit to the Maison Rouge
Discover this museum, which houses a vast collection of artefacts bearing witness to the past of the Cévennes. The building is a former silk spinning mill. The Maison Rouge was the last silk spinning mill in France. Here you can discover the history of the region’s rural traditions.
Allow 1½ to 2 hours for your visit. The museum closes every year in January. Admission is €8 (full price). A half-price rate is available for certain groups, including 13-18 year olds.
Exploring
the Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is an old bell tower, the only remaining vestige of the 12th-century Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church after the Wars of Religion. This structure, part of the national heritage, is not to be missed during your stay in Saint-Jean-du-Gard in the south of France.
After visiting the Clock Tower, discover the Maison du Vicaire, one of the oldest buildings in the town. It was here that Mass was held after the church disappeared. A single cross serves as a reminder of the building’s religious mission.
A trip to
Stevenson’s fountain
Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island among other works, travelled through the Cévennes to Saint-Jean-du-Gard in Occitania in 1878 with his donkey named Modestine.
The journey, starting from Le Puy-en-Velay, took him a dozen days. His journey is known as the ‘Stevenson Trail’.
Today, it is similar to the GR70 hiking trail. The fountain, which you can admire during your exploration of the town, bears the exact date of Stevenson’s arrival in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, namely 2 October 1878.
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