Serrières, Ardèche village (07340)

Focus on the village of Serrières, a commune in the north of the Ardèche in the Annonay-Rhône conurbation on the banks of the Rhône between Limony to the north and Saint-Désirat to the south.

Serrières in the Ardèche

Nestling on the right bank of the Rhône, at the crossroads of the Ardèche, Isère and Loire rivers, Serrières is an Ardèche village with a long history on the river and a heritage that is still very much alive today. A former crossroads for the inland waterway trade, it has preserved the traces of a historical and cultural heritage deeply linked to the river.

Serrières, a commune of less than 4 km² in the Annonay Rhône Agglo conurbation, has just over 1,000 inhabitants. Its identity has been forged around the Rhône, and for a long time its prosperity was based on inland waterway transport. Today, the town is showcasing this past through its built heritage, museums and the nautical traditions that are still alive and well.

A little geography

Bordering the Rhône on its right bank, at the foot of the Vivarais foothills, opposite the Isère commune of Sablons, the village stretches from the banks of the river to the wooded hillsides around the Moure stream. The village is criss-crossed by major transport links, including the blue suspension bridge linking the two banks of the Rhône and the RD86, which crosses the Ardèche from north to south.

Serrières on the map (Géoportail, IGN) :

A touch of history

The history of Serrières dates back to Gallo-Roman times, as evidenced by archaeological finds in the surrounding area. In the Middle Ages, the village was structured around two market towns: Serrières to the north and Saint-Sornin to the south. The town experienced periods of prosperity and turmoil, notably during the Saracen invasions in the ^8th century and the plague of plague in the ^14th century. The ^19th century saw the heyday of inland waterway transport in Serrières, with companies of bargemen transporting goods between Lyon and Beaucaire. The construction of the suspension bridge in 1828 by Marc Seguin reinforced the town’s role as a crossroads on the river. However, the arrival of steam navigation, rail development and the construction of the diversion canal in 1976 led to the decline of this activity.

A zest for the local economy

Today, the local economy is based on tourism, crafts and winegrowing. The village attracts visitors with its historical heritage, museums and cultural events. Local establishments, such as theSchaeffer hotel-restaurant , continue a tradition of hospitality and regional gastronomy.

Water-based activities such as jousting, hiking and cycling routes, such as the ViaRhôna on the other bank at Sablons, also contribute to Serrières’ appeal as a tourist destination.

Remarkable sites in Serrières

🏛️ Historical and cultural heritage

Musée des Mariniers
Housed in the former chapel of Saint-Sornin, this museum presents collections relating to inland waterway transport on the Rhône, with objects such as bargemen’s crosses and nautical jousting breastplates and caps.

Serrières suspension bridge
Initially built in 1828 by the Jules Seguin company, then rebuilt in 1927 and after the Second World War, this bridge is a remarkable example of a suspension structure.

Chapels
Notre-Dame-de-Pitié: ^15th-century building, also known as the Tour des Pénitents, listed as a Historic Monument.

🌿 Natural areas and leisure

Île de la Platière nature reserve
Partly located within the commune, this reserve offers a protected area for local flora and fauna.
➡ Discover the Ile de la Platière nature reserve

ViaRhôna
The cycle path runs opposite the village, on the opposite bank of the Rhône at Sablons. It can be reached from the village simply by crossing the bridge.
➡ Find out more about the ViaRhôna from Sablons to Tournon

Hiking
The trails starting from Serrières can be discovered either by climbing the hill to the east with breathtaking views over the Rhône valley, as at the point de le Madone, or by walking along the Rhône on the partly landscaped quays.
➡ Hiking and mountain biking trails via Ardèche Grand Air

🚉 Transport and access

The D86 departmental road (formerly the RN86) crosses the commune and links it to Limony and the Loire (north) or Saint-Désirat (south), to Annonay via the D820 at the bridge roundabout, or to Sablons to the east by crossing the Rhône. By motorway, theA7 exit is Chanas.

The nearest train station is Péage-de-Roussillon, on the other side of the Rhône, with links to Valence and Lyon.

For public transport, visit the page dedicated to buses in the Ardèche.

Weather in the commune

And to help you organise your activities in Serrières, here is the 5-day weather forecast with temperatures, wind and precipitation:

Where to sleep?

Looking for a hotel, apartment rental, BnB or other type of accommodation in Serrières for the night, weekend or longer stay in or near the town? Here’s an interactive map to help you find the right accommodation for your needs and budget: