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Saint-Montan

Visit Saint-Montan, Rhone-Alpes

Saint-Montan is located in the southern Ardeche, north of Bourg-Saint-Andeol. It is inscribed as an Ardeche 'village of character'.

Explore Saint-Montan

This small hillside village has a ruined castle at the top of the hill, with the narrow streets of the village sprawling below down to the small river and a few shops and restaurants commerces at the bottom.

The old part of the village is not accessible to cars, and has been extensively renovated. It consists of a maze of steep cobbled alleys and paths, vaulted passageways, and a great deal of picturesque old houses.

Throughout your visit there are lovely views across the rooftops of houses in Saint-Montan and the surrounding hills. (The village was perhaps more reminiscent of a Provencal perched village than the other Ardeche villages of character.)

There are also two small 'roman' style chapels to visit - the chapels of San Samonta and Saint-André de Mithroys.

Although only a small village there are various restaurants and other shops in Saint-Montan, in and around the main square below the old part of the town and in the lower parts of the ancient streets.

I would have loved to say that I didn't like Saint-Montan - parking was a nightmare, and when I'd reached the castle at the top of the hill there was a sign pinned to the door saying 'for castle keys ask at the shop at the bottom of the hill'. By the time I had finished with these ordeals it was too late for lunch...

Parking was a challenge in the village - there was insufficient parking for the number of cars in May, so what must August be like?! To make matters worse the centre of the village has a bottleneck for cars which was difficult to get past.

But despite these problems I have to concede that Saint Montan was an unmissably atttractive little village, but I recommend you arrive early to avoid spending hours in the car getting hot and bothered.

Attractions nearby

Various marked walks and trails are available in the hills around the village to enable visitors to better discover the surrounding countryside.

On leaving Saint-Montan I followed the winding road out of the village towards Larnas. This is a very scenic route winding up into the hills and is also recommended. Bring a picnic!

Photos of Saint-Montan (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Saint-Montan, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Vallon Pont d'Arc 19km; Gorges de l'Ardeche 19km; Vogue 21km; Balazuc 21km; Labeaume 25km; Aubenas 27km; Ailhon 29km; La Roque-sur-Ceze 29km; Joyeuse 31km; Privas 33km; Mirmande 33km; Provencal Drome 36km; Jaujac 37km; Orange 37km; Antraigues-sur-Volane 38km; Banne 38km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Saint-Montan

Saint-Montan tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin des herbes - remarkable garden (11km) : Eglise de Saint Michel (La Garde-Adhemar) - religious monument (12km) : Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux) - religious monument (15km) : Abbaye d'Aiguebelle (Montjoyer) - religious monument (18km) : Gorges de l'Ardeche - grand site of france (19km) : Aven d'Orgnac - grand site of france (21km) : Abbatiale Sainte-Marie (Cruas) - religious monument (27km) : Vals-les-Bains - recommended detour (32km) :