A 1,200-meter-long stone riverbank structure, the Moly-Sabata artists’ residency and the nautical jousting tradition show three distinct aspects of Sablons: its river setting, art and local traditions. When planning your trip, decide whether to focus on an arranged art visit, the riverfront or a fixed event date.
Moly-Sabata: Artists’ Residency and 18th-Century Building
Moly-Sabata has been an artists’ residency since 1927. The building dates from the 18th century and is located in the Fond de Sablons district of Sablons. On April 20, 1964, Moly-Sabata was classified as one of the 25 picturesque sites in the Isère département. This brings together, in one place, a long history as an artists’ residency and a clearly dated designation as a site of the département.
Moly-Sabata provides studios and resources throughout the year; its public presence is supported by an annual exhibition. Specific program details may change. Visitors are welcomed by prior appointment. Plan your visit with an appointment.
Art and Nautical Jousting
Since 2008, the sculpture Honorine, a work by visual artist Jeff Saint Pierre, has stood in Sablons. Nautical jousting remains part of Sablons’ heritage connected to the Rhône. Every generation has produced French champions of this discipline in Sablons and Serrières.
The two subjects offer different cultural perspectives: Honorine is a single work of art by a named artist, while the jousting represents an ongoing tradition that also includes Serrières. Those interested in local art and cultural history will find both a specific work and a discipline maintained across generations.
Rhône Riverfront and Outdoor Spaces
The stone riverbank structure along the quays of Sablons is 1,200 meters long and can be more than five meters high. It protects the village from flooding by the Rhône. The riverfront also includes small squares, an island and boat ramps. The protective structure and the smaller riverfront spaces give the river setting different functions.
The Base nautique in Sablons is a landscaped area on the Rhône riverbank, open year-round and free to access, with a picnic area. Check local conditions before your visit. This lets you plan the riverfront as a separate stop without confusing it with the visiting arrangements for the artists’ residency.
Nature and Trails Nearby
Nearby, the Réserve naturelle de l'île de la Platière lies between Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf and Sablons. It has marked discovery trails, a chain ferry to the island and a bird-watching area. Access may depend on high water and wind; check these conditions when planning a visit.
The ViaRhôna stage to Sablons follows a landscaped path throughout, except at the entrance to Sablons. As route conditions and road layouts may change, check the current route before your bike ride. The stated exception at the entrance to Sablons is part of the description of this stage.
Plan Your Event and Journey
The Foire ancestrale de Sablons takes place on November 21 and 22, 2026. If you are planning your trip around this event, check the date again shortly before traveling. This helps distinguish the fixed event date from a visit to Moly-Sabata, which requires an appointment in advance.
For rail travel, the SNCF-TER Annonay–Le Péage-de-Roussillon line serves the Sablons le pont stop. Connections to Lyon and Valence are available via a change at Le Péage-de-Roussillon. Check the timetable before traveling to make sure the connection suits your plans.
Discover more destinations: Auberives-en-Royans, Vignieu, Seyssins, La Frette, La Balme-les-Grottes, La Terrasse, Marnans, Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux.
For the broader travel guide: Isere.
