The beaches of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche: swimming at the gorges’ exit (Sauze and Grain de Sel)

What could be better, in summer, than a swim in clear water at the foot of the cliffs? At the exit of the Ardèche gorges, the village of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche is home to two of the area’s most beautiful river beaches: Sauze beach and Grain de Sel beach. About fifteen minutes from Mas Saint Antoine, it is one of our favourite spots for a day by the water. Here is our guide: the beaches, the environmental label, the walks in the gorges and the good restaurants nearby.

Two beaches at the exit of the Ardèche gorges

Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche marks the end of the gorges descent: this is where the canoes arrive after their journey. The village offers two beaches supervised in July and August:

• Grain de Sel beach, right on the edge of the village, easy to access and well equipped.
• Sauze beach, in a hamlet in nature about 20 minutes’ walk from the centre, alternating sand and rocks facing the Gard cliffs. It is the arrival point of many canoe descents.

Both beaches are vast: by walking a little, you will always find your quiet corner, with a magnificent view of the medieval village of Aiguèze, perched opposite on the other side of the river.

Quality water, the Pavillon Bleu (Blue Flag) label

The water quality at the exit of the gorges is excellent, the result of efforts made over decades by local authorities, the river management body and the gorges Nature Reserve. The beaches of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche were, from 2014, among the first beaches in the region to receive the Pavillon Bleu (Blue Flag) label — a demanding eco-label that rewards water quality, cleanliness, waste sorting and environmental awareness.

The Grain de Sel beach is among the labelled beaches, as is the neighbouring Pont Cassé beach in Saint-Just-d’Ardèche. As the label is awarded each year, we invite you to check the list of Pavillon Bleu beaches for the current year on the official label website or that of the tourist office. In any case, the bathing water is subject to regular analyses throughout the summer.

Practical information for swimming

• Supervision: the beaches are supervised from 1 July to 31 August (generally 1pm to 7pm).
• Facilities: toilets and car parks. Grain de Sel beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility (pontoon, PRM toilets, a “tiralo” to ease swimming). Buckets for children and book boxes are sometimes available.
• Parking: at Sauze, beach access is free but parking is paid (pay-and-display car park).
• Tip: arrive early in high summer, these beaches are popular.

Supervision hours and access conditions may change; check the current year’s information with the tourist office.

Combining swimming and walks in the gorges

One of the area’s great assets is being able to combine the beach with discovering the Ardèche gorges. From Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, you can:

• Descend the gorges by canoe: Saint-Martin is the arrival point of the descents; many rental companies offer full-day or half-day trips.
• Hike: trails let you discover the nature reserve, its cliffs and spectacular viewpoints.
• Take the panoramic gorges road and its viewpoints, accessible by car, for breathtaking panoramas.

To find out everything, see our complete guide to the Ardèche gorges.

Where to eat around the beaches?

The village of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche and its surroundings have several restaurants, pizzerias, open-air cafés and beach snack bars, particularly lively in the summer season, often with terraces by the water. On the other side of the river, the classified village of Aiguèze also offers lovely dining with a view. The area’s campsites also have catering points. The offer varies from season to season: ask on site or at the tourist office for the addresses open during your stay. During your visit, do not miss tasting the local specialities and the nearby Côtes du Rhône wines.

An outing 15 minutes from Mas Saint Antoine

The beaches of Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche are about 15 minutes’ drive from Mas Saint Antoine — ideal for a half-day or a relaxing day during your stay. You can easily combine a morning swim, lunch on a terrace and a visit to Aiguèze in the afternoon.

Find our accommodations on the our cottages in the Ardèche page, and all our discovery ideas in Le Mag du Mas.

In conclusion

1. Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, at the gorges’ exit, offers two river beaches: Sauze and Grain de Sel.
2. Supervised swimming from 1 July to 31 August, high-quality water, a view of Aiguèze.
3. The area was a Pavillon Bleu pioneer (from 2014); check the labelled beaches for the current year.
4. You can combine swimming and the gorges: canoeing, hiking, the panoramic viewpoint road.
5. Restaurants and terraces in the village and in Aiguèze; all 15 min from Mas Saint Antoine.

Swimming at the foot of the cliffs, lunch on a terrace and a walk in the gorges: a lovely summer day in prospect, a stone’s throw from Mas.

✍️ Article written by Bernard Favre, owner of Mas Saint Antoine.