A night at Gaud or Gournier is not booked along with the canoe. You take a separate pass through the official ticketing, then pick a descent that matches the date and the site you have chosen. Here is the procedure, the 2026 prices and the points to check before you go.
Why do you have to book a place at the bivouac?
Wild camping is forbidden in the Ardèche Gorges National Nature Reserve. If you paddle the river over two days, you have to spend the night on one of the two managed sites: Gaud or Gournier.
This system protects a site that is both very busy and fragile. The number of people present each night is capped, arrivals are recorded and the wardens can check booking confirmations. Without a valid pass, there is no legal way for you to pitch a tent anywhere else in the Gorges.
At Viking Bateaux we rent the boat, provide the equipment included in your package and organise the return shuttle. We do not sell the bivouac pass: the night itself is booked through the Gorges de l'Ardèche – Pont d'Arc Tourist Office.
Which do you book first, the bivouac or the canoe?
The simplest approach is to check both availabilities before paying for anything. In July and August, the night at the bivouac is usually the tighter constraint.
1. Pick a workable window
Start with two or three possible dates, especially if you are aiming for a summer weekend. That small margin saves you from restarting the whole plan when a site turns out to be full.
2. Check the official calendar
On the ticketing site, choose Gaud or Gournier, then look at the nights still available. What you book is the date of the night spent on the site. For a descent starting on Saturday and finishing on Sunday, select the Saturday night.
3. Book every participant
Adults, teenagers and children all have to be registered. Keep the confirmation you receive after payment on your phone, but also bring a copy protected from the water. Mobile coverage is weak or non-existent in parts of the canyon.
4. Then confirm your two-day descent
Once the night is booked, choose the 30 km Bivouac Nature or the 36 km Bivouac Aventure for the same dates. If you are torn between the two, our route guide sets out their differences.
Gaud and Gournier opening dates in 2026
The two sites do not follow the same calendar. It is worth checking before you choose a route or book accommodation around Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
| Bivouac site | Open to the public in 2026 | Position along the descent |
|---|---|---|
| Gournier | From 4 April to 27 September | Roughly halfway through the Gorges |
| Gaud | Saturdays in June, then 1 July to 29 August | Further upstream, about a third of the way in |
These dates can be affected by a safety decision or by natural conditions. Before you leave, always check the information shown on the official bivouac booking page.
How much does a bivouac pass cost in 2026?
On the official 2026 ticketing, packages start at the prices below. A plain night costs the same on both sites; the difference comes from the ready-pitched tents.
| Package | Site | Advertised price from |
|---|---|---|
| Night at the bivouac | Gaud and Gournier | €16.50 |
| Ready-pitched 6-person tent | Gournier | €85 |
| Ready-pitched 6-person tent | Gaud | €105 |
| 6-person Cosy tent | Gaud | €149 |
These are starting prices, not a single rate guaranteed for every date and every booking. The final amount can depend on the package you choose and on availability. For Gournier as for Gaud, check the price shown in your basket on the official ticketing before you pay.
If you book a ready-pitched tent, read the package detail carefully. A tent, even set up on a platform, does not necessarily mean that bedding, sleeping bags or all the night equipment are included.
Gaud or Gournier: which site should you choose?
There is no wrong choice. The date that is available and how the effort is split matter far more than the idea of finding one site that is "better" than the other.
Gaud, for a shorter first day
Gaud sits further upstream. You reach it earlier, which leaves time to settle in without rushing and enjoy the late afternoon. The next day is longer: you need to keep some energy to reach Sauze, at Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche.
Groups who want to find their feet quietly on day one tend to like this split. It does, however, depend on Gaud's limited calendar.
Gournier, for two more balanced days
Gournier is closer to the middle of the descent. The distance is shared more evenly, which is a real advantage for a first two-day adventure.
It is also the site available across most of the 2026 season. In spring and in September, the choice often makes itself.
What do you find on the bivouac sites?
Gaud and Gournier remain open-air sites, not conventional campsites. Services vary with the period. You will find dry toilets, showers with restricted use, shared areas and built-in shared barbecues, with charcoal available on site. Drinking water and some drinks may be available when the services are running, but you should set off self-sufficient.
Both sites offer ready-pitched tents, subject to availability: a 6-person tent at Gournier, a 6-person tent and a 6-person Cosy tent at Gaud. Before booking, check precisely what is included: the sleeping bag and personal items may still be down to you.
What should you take for the night?
The right load fits in the barrels without turning the canoe into a floating removal van. For one night, plan for:
- a tent, a tarp or a hammock if you have not rented a tent on site;
- a sleeping bag matched to the forecast temperature, and a ground mat;
- a full change of clothes, with a warm layer for the evening;
- a head torch;
- at least 1.5 litres of water per person at the start, more in hot weather;
- lunch, an evening meal, breakfast and a few snacks;
- sun protection, a small first-aid kit and insect repellent;
- reusable bags to carry all your waste back out;
- your booking confirmation, protected from the water.
Our guide to preparing your descent completes this list for clothing, footwear and the things to keep within reach while paddling.
Fire, stoves and meals: the rules to know
In practice, you have two options. Either you grill on the shared barbecues: in that case remember to bring your firelighters, a pair of tongs and something to cook, because there are no shops in the canyon. Or you plan a cold meal prepared before departure: pasta or rice salad, sandwiches, hard cheese, fruit, dried fruit and food that travels well. Either way, there is no fridge to keep delicate products.
Alcohol is not allowed at the bivouacs. Quiet hours start at 10 pm and your waste has to leave with you. Read the instructions attached to your booking a few days before departure: those are the ones that count.
When should you book?
Outside the summer, it is often possible to find a place with more flexibility. In July and August, especially around weekends and 15 August, it is better to book several weeks ahead.
That lead time is organisational advice, not a guarantee of availability. A Tuesday can be full while the neighbouring Saturday is still open, or the other way round. The online calendar is the only reliable indicator.
Frequently asked questions
1 Is the bivouac pass included in the canoe rental?
No. At Viking Bateaux, the canoe rental and the night at the bivouac are two separate bookings. The pass is bought through the Tourist Office's official ticketing.
2 Can you turn up at Gaud or Gournier without a booking?
You need a booking confirmation to enter the site. Do not set off hoping a pitch will free up on the evening itself: camping is forbidden anywhere else in the Reserve.
3 Can you rent a tent on site?
Yes, on both sites: a 6-person tent at Gournier, a 6-person tent and a 6-person Cosy tent at Gaud. Book the package at the same time as the night and check exactly what it includes; the number of tents is limited.
4 Can a pass be changed or cancelled?
It depends on the terms of sale and how long there is before your arrival. Read the rules shown at the time of booking or contact the bivouac service directly.
5 What happens if navigation is suspended?
Follow the information issued by the Tourist Office, the authorities and Viking Bateaux. How a postponement or refund works depends on the booking concerned: the bivouac pass on one side, the canoe rental on the other.