One of several 'gateways to the Cevennes', St Jean is a lovely little market town slightly off the beaten track but busy in tourist season despite this. The main D road skirts the village centre meaning you can walk and browse the centreville without being mowed down by passing traffic. Excellent, free parking in the large carpark by the post office, just a hop skip and a jump from the action. Fabulous market on a Tuesday morning, when you can pick up second-hand music, films and clothes for next to nothing (visit the 1-Euros clothes stand man for some tasty bargains). The restaurant l'Oronge (spelled with two 'o's after the name of a tasty musroom), overlooking the main street, is excellent and very reasonably priced. For kids, and adults come to that, the tourist steam train which chugs between St Jean and Anduze via la Bambouserie, a fabulous bamboo park with lots to see besides bamboo, is a must.
The village was the center of the Protestant resistance (called the Camisard) fighting against Louis 14th.