Good to know before departure

You embark on a UNIQUE EXPERIENCE in the heart of the GORGES DE L'ARDECHE Nature Reserve

To be able to make a CANOE-KAYAK descent with Alpha Bateaux, ALL participants must:

- Be over 7 years old
- Know how to swim at least 25 meters
- Know how to immerse yourself
- Wear closed shoes
- Be in good physical condition

We will make every effort to ensure that you can enjoy a superb experience as a couple, with family, with friends...

On site, you will find:

- A multilingual welcome
- Free private parking
- Toilets
- Picnic tables
- A shop (sale of water shoes, cords for glasses, sarong , caps, drinks, ice cream...)
- Rental of wetsuits, windbreakers, tents, and bivouac pack
- Selective sorting for your waste

You benefit from an exceptional and preserved natural site. Let's respect our environment :

Respect the river:
- Favor the wearing of anti-UV clothing rather than sunscreen
- Bring back all your rubbish afterwards your trip and prefer unpackaged food
- Respect the other users of the river
- Skip sinners
- Respect the fauna and flora

L’organisation

For all routes, we meet at our base:
< strong>ALPHA BATEAUX
421 route des gorges
07150 Vallon Pont d'Arc
You will leave your vehicle in our free private car park.
At our vault, you will be welcomed, advised and equipped by our team.
The Alpha Bateaux shuttles will then take you to the starting point, to then board the canoe.
On arrival, shuttles will pick you up at the set return time, to take you back to the base.

Descents of the Ardèche

Conditions: be over 7 years old, know how to swim 25 meters minimum and know how to immerse yourself.
You will need to be in good health and wear a buoyancy aid, as well as wear and keep closed shoes while hiking.

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To take for the descent

To bring:
- Sportswear during the activity (swimsuit, t-shirt)
- Closed shoes (mandatory) < br>- A picnic and a water bottle
- Sun protection (T-shirt, sunglasses hats)
- A change of clothes
In case of cool weather:
- A sweatshirt, a windbreaker
For the descents of the Ardèche in several days:
- Provide all the camping necessities (duvet, tent, food, drink, flashlight , spare etc.).

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L’application

1st Lessor on the Ardèche River to offer you a free "Canoe France" application. Our application allows you to:

- Discover the proposed routes,
- Find your location on the river,
- Discover the accessible services (restaurants, campsites, shops, etc.)
- Find out more about the river through the remarkable points during your descent of the Ardèche (monuments, natural curiosities, etc.).

Application available at Apple and Android

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The bivouac areas

The bivouac areas are large natural spaces in the heart of the Ardèche Gorges Nature Reserve on the edge of the river.
You will find toilets, showers and a caretaker for urgent problems.
Some useful information before your departure:
Alcohol prohibited in the bivouac areas.
Barbecue and camping gas prohibited until September 30, 2022
Navigation prohibited after 8 p.m.
Reservation of the bivouac by you .

For all the descents of the Ardèche in several days:
R BOOK YOUR BIVOUAC TICKET HERE < /a>
BOOK YOUR CANOE HERE

SPECIAL DESCENT PACKAGE IN 30 KM 2 DAYS
BIVOUAC AND CANOE HERE
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Equipment

The boat park includes 1, 2 or 3-seater, unsinkable, self-draining kayaks (Tarka, Balawika, Optimo, Taiki and Trek) and Canadian canoes (Canadia, Old Town). In small equipment, we provide you with: CE buoyancy aid vests, single and double paddles, containers for personal effects and helmet (optional).
Our buoyancy aid vests and cans are disinfected after each use.
As an option, you can rent neoprene suits, comfort backrests for Optimo and a bivouac pack (tent, foam mattress, stove, meals, trash bag).
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The cans provided

To make your canoe trip in the heart of the Ardèche, we provide you with cans to store your personal effects. But be careful, the watertightness of the cans is not guaranteed, this being subject to closure by the users.

We do not recommend that you take water-fearful items such as cameras or phones on board. We advise you to take small plastic bags like freezer bags.
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The accesses

North access: from Lyon A7 exit Montélimar sud, N7 to Pierrelatte, D13 to Bourg-Saint-Andéol, then D4 to Vallon Pont d'Arc.
South access: from Marseille A7 exit Bollène, D994 to Pont-Saint-Esprit, N86 towards Vallon Pont d'Arc and take the road to the Ardèche gorges D290.
South access: from Montpellier A9 exit Nîmes Ouest, N106 towards Alès, D16 then D979 towards Barjac, D579 to Vallon Pont d'Arc.

Schedules

In April, May, June and September, we are open 7 days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. In July and August, we are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. We advise you to book in advance, subject to navigation and weather conditions.
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The domestic animals

The Gorges de l'Ardèche Nature Reserve prohibits dogs in canoes. The 24, 30, 36 and 60 km routes are therefore affected by this ban. For the 6, 8, 12 and 14 km routes, we do not recommend it, but your dog can occupy the middle seat in a canoe as long as it is not tied up. Your dog is under your sole responsibility and must not disturb anyone during the descent and return by bus.
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In case of bad weather

In the Ardèche and its tributaries, there is a water level measurement system to anticipate floods and regulate descents. Different levels of dangerousness are then put in place: green, open to all, orange, open to experienced with a monitor, red, prohibited. If the weather is bad (persistent rain, temperature below 20 ° C, wind over 60 km / h), reservations are canceled or postponed. All sums paid will be returned to you.
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