Historic site and monument in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, Ardèche

At the southern-most entrance to the Ardèche Gorge, Saint-Martin is a much loved holiday destination. Surrounded by Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards it benefits from two riverside beaches (Blue Flag eco label in 2014).

Surrealist painter Max Ernst and his then companion, the English painter Leonora Carrington lived in St-Martin shortly before World War II and “caught a glimpse of paradise” as Leonora confessed later. Today this charming old fishing village attracts families and sporty thrill seekers alike and has become the ideal base to undertake the descent of the Ardèche river by canoe.