Everything you need to know and plan for a great day on the river
From April to September. Water at 16-20 °C in spring, 22-26 °C in summer. June and September: best balance. July-August: book ahead, take the first departure slot.
From 6 to 36 km, half-day to 2 days. View our interactive map to compare distances, durations and difficulty levels.
Book on our site to get -20 % on all routes. View our prices from 25 € per person, shuttle included.
Minimum age 7 in a canoe (accompanied by an adult). Must be able to swim 25 metres and accept immersion. No canoeing experience required.
Your checklist based on the length of your descent. Tick items off as you prepare.
You do not need to rent or buy anything. All paddling equipment is included in our prices.
2-seat canoe or 1-seat kayak, your choice, checked every season.
Certified, sized to fit you. Compulsory throughout the descent.
Double (kayak) or single (canoe) paddles, adjustable in length.
To protect your belongings (picnic, clothes, phone). One per boat.
Paddling tips, route overview and safety instructions before every departure.
Bus from the arrival point back to our base in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Included in the price.
Meet us at our base in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Free parking. Changing rooms and lockers available for your belongings. Get your waterproof barrel ready.
Our team hands over the equipment (canoe, jackets, paddles, barrel) and walks you through the route: landmarks, rapids, recommended breaks, safety instructions.
Departure from the launch point. For the 12 and 36 km routes, a shuttle takes you to the starting point at Les Mazes before you set off.
Paddle at your own pace. Take breaks on the pebble beaches, swim in the turquoise water, admire the cliffs and the rapids. This is your day.
When you reach the exit point, a bus brings you back to the base in 15 to 45 minutes depending on the route. Collect your belongings and enjoy the showers.
The descent is accessible to everyone, but a few rules keep you safe and help preserve this exceptional natural site.
Wearing the life jacket is compulsory throughout the descent. It is provided and sized to fit you.
The rapids are class I to II, accessible without experience. Keep distance from the boat ahead of you and follow the briefing instructions.
Stay calm, keep your life jacket on. Turn onto your back, feet first, and let the current carry you to a calm area. Then retrieve your boat.
The Gorges de l'Ardèche are a protected area. No wild camping, no fires, take all your rubbish with you. Dogs allowed on a lead.
The bivouac is not included in the descent. Booking is mandatory with the Gorges de l'Ardèche Tourist Office for the Gaud or Gournier bivouac areas. View our bivouac routes.
In the event of flooding or a violent storm, navigation may be prohibited by prefectural order. Your descent is then rescheduled or fully refunded. We monitor water levels in real time via Vigicrues.
Swimsuit, closed water shoes, waterproof sun cream, a hat, water (1 L minimum for a half-day, 2 L for a full day) and a picnic for full-day routes. All paddling equipment is fully provided.
No. Being able to swim 25 metres and accepting immersion is compulsory. The life jacket is provided and worn throughout the descent, but it does not replace the ability to swim.
Light rain does not change the experience. In the event of flooding or a violent storm, navigation is prohibited and your descent is rescheduled or refunded. We let you know by phone the day before or in the morning.
Use a waterproof pouch (available to buy at our base). The 30 L waterproof barrel provided also protects your belongings, but it is not convenient to access for taking photos during the descent.
Closed water shoes (Decathlon-style sandals or neoprene booties). Avoid flip-flops (they are lost at the first rapid) and bare feet (sharp pebbles on the beaches).
No. The half-day routes (6 and 12 km) are accessible to everyone from age 7. Full-day routes require good physical fitness as you paddle for 4 to 8 hours.
Drinking alcohol is not advisable while paddling (risk of dehydration and loss of alertness in the rapids). Alcohol is regulated on the bivouac areas.
Free parking at our base in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Your vehicle stays parked for the whole duration of the descent. The shuttle brings you back to the base at the end of the route.
