Mini Descent "Le Pont d’Arc" - 6 km
Short trip from Vallon Pont d’Arc to Châmes (just before the entry of the Nature Reserve of Gorges de l’Ardèche) with some small rapids and the famous one called “Charlemagne”. You’ll end your trip passing under the well-known « Pont d’Arc ».
This descent is dedicated to beginners and families. You’ll find lots of beaches along the way where it’s possible to make breaks.
Take your time and spend a pleasant moment.
For your comfort, we suggest you:
- to realize your descent during the hottest hours of the day at the beginning of the season (april / may)
- to canoe in the early morning or later in the afternoon during the summer.
- Paddling time *: 1H15 / 1H30
- Departure times: from 9am to 4pm non-stop
- Return shuttles: 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7pm (high season)
- * Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
The Super Mini - 12 km
This itinerary is splitted in two parts:
The first part is quite flat water alternated by dams. To pass these dams you need to use canoe slides for thrills guaranteed!
After the bridge of Salavas, the course merges with the Mini Descent « Le pont d’Arc » with rapids and the remarkable “Pont d’Arc”. There’re many beaches along the way for your breaks .
This canoe trail finally ends in Châmes, just before the beginning of the Nature Reserve.
Fixed departure times / meeting in our agency at least 30 minutes prior the departure of the minibus.
- Paddling time*: 3 hours
- Departure times: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
- Return shuttles: 1:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5 pm, 6pm, 7pm (high season)
- * Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
Previous The Gorges de l'Ardèche - 24 km
Les Gorges de l’Ardèche 24 km is a one-day-trip from Châmes to Sauze (Saint Martin d’Ardèche).
This wonderful adventure down the Ardèche Gorges will let you forget the everyday worries.
Bring your picnic and sun cream protection and let’s go!
In the summer time we highly recommend to start your journey early in the morning in order to spend more time on the river and to make more breaks. We suggest you to paddle strong in the morning in order to keep time in the afternoon for the warmest part of the day.
- Paddling time*: 5 hours
- Departure times: 8:30am to 10am
- Return shuttles: between 4pm and 5pm on the beach of Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
La Sportive - 30 km
Starting from Vallon Pont d'Arc and ending in Sauze (Saint Martin d'Ardèche), this descent is perfect to see the Pont d'Arc and then to discover the Nature Reserve in one day.
Take note:
• This canoe trip could be very physical in the summer, so is mostly dedicated to sporty people and it's not recommended to families with young children and to the beginners. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information before doing your reservation.
• In the summer time, please show up early in the morning in order to get on the water sooner and to spend more time on the river.
- Paddle time*: 6 hours
- Departure times: 8am to 9:30am
- Return shuttles between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
La Détente - 30 km in 2 days
The most pleasant solution to discover the Ardèche Gorges and Nature Reserve‘s treasures. Your motto is: Keep calm, relax and enjoy your journey! You’ll spend the overnight in a bivouac area in the heart of the canyon.
It’s possible to realize the same trip in 3 days with overnights on each bivouac area (chek "Farniente" trip).
Paddle the route independently / no supplies are available into the Nature Reserve.
In low season, to make the most of your canoe trip for a better experience, we suggest you to do it during the week.
Booking your descent and booking the tickets to sleep in the bivouac are two different things. We can’t book the tickets for you. We suggest you to contact nature reserve’s booking centre asap: the places are limited in each bivouac, so make sure to book it in time by clicking HERE.
- Paddle time *: 6 hours
- Departure times: 9am to 3pm
- Return shuttles between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
La Farniente - 30 km in 3 days
Go for 3 days of descent from Vallon Pont d'Arc to Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche) in chill mode. La Farniente is the perfect way to recharge your energies being in full contact with the nature!
By choosing this option, you will overnight in both bivouacs in the heart of the Nature Reserve. Book your bivouac tickets asap: HERE
- Paddling time*: 6 hours
- Departure time: 9am to 3pm
- Return shuttles: between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
L'Ardéchoise - 36 km in 2 days
This is the extended version of “La Détente”, with the first part of the descent characterized by flat water segmented by dams. You’ll use the canoe slides to pass the dams, thrills are guaranteed!
After Vallon Pont d’Arc, the course merges with the 30km trip and enters the canyon.
Overnight in a bivouac area in the heart of the canyon.
Paddle the route independently / no supplies available into the Nature Reserve.
For the bivouac choice we suggest you to book the Bivouac Gaud. Please book your bivouac tickets in advance, as the number of places in each bivouac is limited, so make sure to book it in time, by clicking HERE.
- Paddle time*: 8 hours
- Departure times: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30 (reach us at least 1 hour before the departure time)
- Return shuttles between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
La Grande Escapade - 36 km in 3 days
Starting from Sampzon and heading to Sauze, get yourself to a 3-day break in the heart of the nature without missing the passage of slides in the first part of this canoe trip!
Choosing this descent, you will overnight in both bivouac areas in the Nature Reserve.
Paddle the route independently / no supplies available into the Nature Reserve. Check out our page "Practical information" to get all infos you need for a best organization!
Please book your bivouac tickets in advance, as the number of places in each bivouac is limited, so make sure to book it in time, by clicking HERE.
- Paddling time*: 8 hours
- Departure times: 9:30am / 10:30am (reach us at least 1 hour before the departure of the shuttle bus)
- Return shuttles: between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, variable depending on the water level observed the day of the descent.
Mini Descent "La Matinale" - 8 km
Small canoe trip on the quietest part of the river with canoe slides.
This descent starts upstream from Vallon Pont d’Arc and is characterized by flat water segmented by five dams with canoe slides.
Both adults and children will spend a pleasant moment and fun is guaranteed!
Fixed departure time / appointment in our agency at least 30 minutes prior the departure of the minibus.
Take note that by doing this canoe trip you won't pass under the Pont d'Arc.
- Paddling time *: around 2 hours
- Departure time: 9:30am
- Return shuttles: between 11:30am and 6:00pm
- * Average paddle in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.
The Maxi-Descent - 60 km in 3 days or more
This journey will take you from Voguë to Sauze and is achievable in 3, 4 or 5 days.
In the first part of the journey you’ll cross some typical and picturesque villages, then in the second part, you will go canoeing down the legendary canyon of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.
This is a physical descent and it is dedicated to people with a canoeing experience and to sporty people.
For the accommodation we can suggest you some camping areas along the river for the overnight(s) before to enter the Nature Reserve.
For the night in the canyon, the places are limited in each bivouac, so make sure to book it in time, by clicking HERE.
- Paddle time *: 14 hours
- Departure time: 9:30 am (reach us at least 1 hour before the departure)
- Return shuttles between 4pm and 5pm in Sauze (St. Martin d'Ardèche)
- *Average paddling time in summer, these times may vary depending on the water level observed on the date of the descent.