Villas in Les Vans
Les Vans suits walkers and river swimmers who want a small Ardèche market town with the Chassezac gorges and the Bois de Païolive close by. The homes are scattered around the area rather than in town, and only some have a pool, so expect to drive most days and check each listing.
- Villas
- 5
- From, per week
- £402
About Les Vans
Les Vans is a town of about 2,700 people at the centre of a basin near the Chassezac, with the Serre de Barre, the last western summit of the Cévennes du Bas-Vivarais range, to the south. The historic centre keeps many buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries and a 17th-century church with a walnut altarpiece. A traditional market fills the town on Saturday mornings, and on summer Tuesdays a night-time craft market sets up on the Place de la Fontaine. The Chassezac gorges are used for walking, canyoning, kayaking and swimming, and at Naves there is a beach of sand and pebbles by the river. The homes are spread around Les Vans and its outlying villages.
Is Les Vans right for you?
- Best for
- Walkers and swimmers who like a proper market town
- Not for you if
- You want the canoe gorges of the Ardèche itself on the doorstep.
Near Les Vans
Bois de Païolive
Ancient woodland of eroded Jurassic limestone on the edge of Les Vans, protected since 1934, with marked paths through gorges and rock labyrinths.
Naves
A village that had its heyday through silk in the 19th century, with a Romanesque church, castle ruins and a river beach.
Ermitage Saint-Eugène
A restored hermitage with reproduction Byzantine frescoes, standing on a limestone cliff above the Chassezac valley.
Brahic
A hamlet on the south face of the Serre de Barre, with a 12th-century Romanesque church and a Saturday morning craft market.
Getting to Les Vans
Nîmes is the nearest airport, about an hour and 20 minutes away by car, and Montpellier is the other option. Without a car, the trip is a train from Nîmes to Alès and the E13 bus, close to four hours, so hire a car.
When to go to Les Vans
Summer brings swimmers and kayakers to the Chassezac, an olive festival on the third Sunday in July and the Ard'Afrique festival in August. The chestnut festival falls on the last Saturday in October. The traditional market is held every Saturday morning, so quieter weeks still have a market day.
Villas in Les Vans
3-star property
2-star property
Les Vans-Cottage 3 pièces 4 personnes
Les Vans, Ardèche, France
4
2
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
from£58
per night
2-star property
Les Vans-Cottage 3 pièces 6 personnes
Les Vans, Ardèche, France
6
2
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
from£78
per night
2-star property
Les Vans-Cottage 3 pièces 5 personnes
Les Vans, Ardèche, France
5
2
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
from£66
per night
1-star property
Les Vans villa holidays: questions answered
What day is the market in Les Vans?
Saturday morning is the traditional market. In summer there is also a night-time craft market on Tuesdays at the Place de la Fontaine, and the hamlet of Brahic holds its own craft market on Saturday mornings.
Can you swim in the river at Les Vans?
Yes. The Chassezac and its gorges are used for swimming, kayaking, canyoning and fishing, and at Naves there is a beach of sand and pebbles beside the river. Further downstream, the main accessible beach is at the Casteljau bridge.
What is the Bois de Païolive near Les Vans?
It is an ancient forest of about 16 km² across Les Vans, Banne and Berrias-et-Casteljau, on Jurassic limestone worn into gorges, fissured pavements and rock labyrinths. Several marked trails cross it, and it has been protected since 1934.
Which airport is closest to Les Vans?
Nîmes, around an hour and 20 minutes away by car. Montpellier is the other option for Les Vans. Either way you will want a hire car, as the bus from Alès is slow and the homes are scattered.
Nearby towns to Les Vans
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed November 2026.
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