As with many towns in the Cévennes, there were many textile industries there in the past. Several quarries south of town above Montdardier were formerly important sources of lithographic limestone. Stone from these quarries earned an honorable mention in the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Le Vigan is a tourist destination during summer time.

Things to see include:-

• The musée cévenol shows the life in the Cévennes during the past centuries
• The Vieux Pont is an old bridge built during the 11th century
• The old hotel Faventines called Château d'Assas from 18th century
• The Arboretum de la Foux and Arboretum de l'Hort de Dieu are mature arboretums