Trips suited from age 7, full briefing, children’s kit: your stress-free descent
Canoeing in the Gorges de l'Ardèche is the family activity par excellence. From age 7, your children paddle with you, pass under The Pont d'Arc, slide down the canoe slides, swim off pebble beaches. Everyone finds their pace: the mini for the youngest, the 12 km for teens, the 24 km for the big family adventure.
At Viking Bateaux, you\u2019ll find children-sized kit, a tailored safety briefing and a team that knows every rapid. No stress, only memories.
Minimum age 7 in a canoe (with an adult). Your child must be able to swim 25 m and accept immersion. Children\u2019s life jackets are sized for them.
Before each departure, our team explains paddling technique, the rapids and safety rules in plain language. Children leave feeling confident.
Mini 6 km in 1h30 to try it out, 12 km with canoe slides as a half-day, 24 km in the Gorges for the adventure. We help you choose based on your children\u2019s ages.
| Trip | Recommended age | Duration | Highlights | Online price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Trip 6 km | From age 7 | ~1h30 | The Pont d'Arc, beaches | 25 € | View → |
| Midi Trip 12 km | From age 8 | ~3h | Canoe slides, The Pont d'Arc | 34 € | View → |
| The Reserve 24 km | From age 12 | ~5h | Cathédrale, rapids | 37 € | View → |
The Mini Trip 6 km is perfect for a first try: no technical rapids, passing under The Pont d'Arc, reasonable duration. Everyone enjoys it without the little ones running out of steam.
The Midi Trip 12 km adds the canoe slides. The perfect balance of fun and accessibility. Your teens will love the rapid sections and the swim stops.
The 24 km The Reserve takes the whole family into the heart of the Gorges. Cathédrale, 8 rapids, wild beaches. A full day of real shared adventure.
Before each departure, our team explains paddling technique and safety in plain language. Children understand, feel reassured and set off confident. Duration: 15 minutes.
Certified children\u2019s life jackets, shorter and lighter paddles fitted to smaller builds. Your child wears kit that fits them, not shrunk adult gear.
Free parking at our Vallon-Pont-d'Arc base. Minibus shuttle back included in the price. You have nothing to manage: you arrive, you paddle, we bring you back.
Thousands of families hosted every summer. We know every rapid, every beach, every pace. Our team knows how to reassure anxious parents as well as excited children.
3 simple steps for a smooth day on the water. For a more detailed guide, check our Prepare your descent page.
Every child must be 7 years minimum, able to swim 25 m and accept immersion (putting their head under water). If in doubt, a pool session a few days before is enough to confirm.
Waterproof sun cream, hat/cap, closed water shoes, a full change of clothes, a snack, water, phone in a waterproof pouch. We provide a 30 L barrel so you can pack everything stress-free.
In the event of flooding or a storm, paddling may be banned by prefectural order. Your descent is then postponed or refunded. We stay reachable to support you.
The minimum age of 7 is a prefectural rule: no exceptions. For younger children, pick another activity (swimming, a walk, caves).
Go for the 6 km for a gentle first try. The parents paddle, the child enjoys the ride. No technical rapids, just fun.
Dogs are allowed on a lead in the canoes. Bring a canine life jacket if needed and fresh water for them. No small unleashed animals.
Cooler period (water 16-20 °C) but the Gorges are nearly empty on weekdays. Ideal for parents wanting to avoid the crowds. Pack a rash guard or wetsuit for colder-blooded children.
Family peak season: warm water (22-26 °C), swimming everywhere, holiday vibe. This is the favourite period for families. Book a few weeks ahead and set off early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Our favourite for families. The water is still warm, the crowds thin out dramatically, late-summer light is magical. Perfect for families with school-age children who can take a few days off.
From age 8-10 for children used to camping, bivouacking in the Gorges is an adventure your children will never forget. A night at Gaud or Gournier, stars, barbecue. See our bivouac guide →
View the routes, landmarks, swimming beaches and rapids on our interactive map. Handy for planning as a family before booking. See the map →
Age 7 minimum — that’s a prefectural rule. No exceptions under that age. From age 7, your child must be able to swim 25 m and accept immersion (putting their head under water).
We then recommend the Mini Trip 6 km: no technical rapids, short duration (1h30), passing under The Pont d'Arc. The parents paddle, the child enjoys the ride. A gentle first try.
Certified children’s life jackets, adapted to the smallest sizes (from 15 kg). Double buckles, suitable buoyancy. Shorter, lighter paddles also available for smaller builds.
The child rate applies up to and including age 12. From age 13, adult rate. Full details on our Prices page. A good group rate also applies from 10 people (extended family, cousin reunion).
Yes, from age 14 and with parental consent, a teenager can take a solo kayak. They must be able to swim 25 m. For younger teens, a two-seater canoe with an adult is the rule.
Yes, and it’s strongly recommended! The pebble beaches along the route are perfect for a lunch stop. Remember to wrap everything in dry bags, take all your waste back (no bins in the Gorges) and pick non-perishable food.
Allow 1h30 for the Mini 6 km, 3h for the Midi Trip 12 km, 5h for The Reserve 24 km. Add 30 min of briefing before and 30 min of return shuttle. For a full family day out, the 24 km is perfect.
Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead in the canoe, including in the Nature Reserve. Bring plenty of fresh water and avoid stagnant water in summer. A canine life jacket is recommended for small dogs.
