Mini Descent Pont d’Arc - 6 km
Discover the arch of the Pont d'Arc in this small introductory course to canoeing from Vallon Pont d'Arc to Châmes.
The mini descent is is ideal if you want to take your time and enjoy the many beaches along the river.
We recommend this descent to beginners who want to learn the joys of canoeing or to families with fairly young children who do not want an activity that is too long and physical.
Note:
• In start of the season (April to June), it is best to do your descent during the hottest hours of the day.
• In summer, choose to make your descent fairly early in the morning or rather in the second half of the afternoon to avoid the busiest times.
- Paddle time*: 1H15 / 1H30
- Departure times: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. non-stop
- Return shuttles: 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.
- *Average paddling time in summer
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
Previous The Gorges de l'Ardèche - 24 km
Les Gorges de l’Ardèche 24 km is a one-day-trip from Châmes to Sauze (St 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
La Sportive - 30 km
Starting from Vallon Pont d'Arc and ending in Sauze (St 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,
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 (check "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
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
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
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
Mini Fun - 6 km
Introduce yourself to the joys of canoeing and kayaking in this descent from Sampzon to Vallon Pont d'Arc. This descent does not present any major difficulty and combines peaceful canoeing and dam crossings using canoe slides (4 in total) for splashes and sensations guaranteed.
Be careful, this route does not pass under the Pont d'Arcunlike the mini Pont d'Arc.
- Paddle time*: approximately 1.5 hours
- Departure time: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
- Return to your convenience
- * Average paddling time in summer
The Maxi-Descent - 60 km in 3 days or more
For you adventurers who want to discover all the facets of the Ardèche river, for those who always want more and who do not want to stop at the Gorges de l'Ardèche, the Maxi Descent from Voguë to Sauze is made for you.
Treat yourself to a unique cocktail of landscapes and sensations from the Cirque de Giens to the mythical gorges of the Ardèche, passing through typical and picturesque Ardèche villages (Balazuc, Ruoms, etc.). This formula is carried out independently with nights spent camping (on the first part of the route) and in bivouac (once in the heart of the Ardèche gorges nature reserve).
We recommend this descent formula to sporty people or /and with a minimum of experience in canoeing.
Reserving your nights is your responsibility.
We can provide you with camping addresses (first part of the descent).
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR 1st NIGHT (camping)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR 2nd NIGHT (bivouac )
- Paddle time*: 14 hours
- Departure times: 9:30 a.m. (must be present at least 1 hour before departure)
- Return shuttles: between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sauze beach
- *Average paddling time in summer