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.

To take for the descent

It is recommended to wear sports clothes (swimsuits, T-shirts, closed shoes). You will have to bring food and drink for your daily activities, but also, depending on the weather, your sun protection (creams, glasses with drawstring, hats, etc.), a sweatshirt, a windbreaker and a change of clothes. . For multi-day trips, plan all the camping essentials (sleeping bag, tent, food, drink, flashlight, etc.).

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).

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, barbecues with charcoal and a caretaker for urgent problems.
Some useful information before your departure:
Alcohol prohibited in the bivouac areas.
Navigation prohibited after 8 p.m.
Reservation of the bivouac by you.

For all the descents of the Ardèche in several days:
BOOK YOUR BIVOUAC TICKET HERE
BOOK YOUR CANOE HERE  

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

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.

The application

The free "Canoe France" application allows you to discover the routes on offer, to locate yourself on the river, to discover accessible services (restaurants, campsites, shops, etc.), but also to find out more about the river in through remarkable points (monuments, natural curiosities, etc.). This application is available on Apple and Android.

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.

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.

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.