Canoeing & Kayaking

Fancy paddling solo and feeling the river carry you along? Or would you prefer to follow a guide who will uncover all the secrets of the waterway? The choice is yours. But whatever you choose, it's a plunge into the heart of a living ecosystem : from bank to bank, the flora and fauna accompany you, and the river sculpts unique landscapes. So, paddle, savor every ripple, and remember to leave the water (and the banks) as pristine as you found it.

Everything you need to know before you start

Honestly? Not really. Even on a self-guided trip, rental companies always take the time to explain the basic maneuvers : how to paddle (in the right direction), how to sit down, how to turn or avoid a rock without panicking. In short, a very useful little introductory briefing to help you approach the river with confidence.

And if you want to visualize all this calmly beforehand , we've thought of you: the Ardèche Gorges Academy has prepared a short, clear and well-made video tutorial.

But for the more cautious (or the more curious), the best option is still to go with a guide . They accompany you, explain everything as you go, and transform your outing into a real little shared adventure.

For adults (and teenagers going independently), the answer is no : you must know how to swim to go down the river, even with a life jacket. This is a safety rule that applies to all routes.

But there is an exception for children : on guided outings, some guides will accept young non-swimming passengers (from age 4) in their canoe, provided they are comfortable in the water and agree to be separated from their parents during the descent . A wonderful first experience, gentle and supervised by a professional.

In autonomy, it's minimum 7 years (the law is formal).
But in guided mode, some instructors take the little ones on board from 4 years ! As long as the little ones agree to sail on the guide's boat, a little far from their parents. A wonderful first experience of gliding safely.

Yes, of course, Rex is welcome… except in the Ardèche Gorges nature reserve , where dogs are strictly prohibited on boats.

For other routes, remember to bring a leash for stops , but above all, never tie your dog to the boat while sailing . In case of capsizing, it must be able to get out on its own; there's no question of turning it into a human lifebuoy.

Bring some bags for waste too, to keep things clean on the river. And above all, don't forget to bring him water: it's best to avoid letting him drink from stagnant puddles, which can sometimes be a bit too microbial for his well-being.

Finally, make sure that your beloved dog is able to remain calm and serene on the boat, so that the trip is a shared pleasure… without stress for anyone.

In summer, some sections are very busy at certain times, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, you can check the traffic forecasts online using the "Canoë Malin" platform : a real GPS for avoiding bottlenecks on the water!

Temperature-wise, be wary of the hottest hours, especially if you're sailing with children: instead, opt for cool mornings or evening outings to keep a good rhythm and enjoy yourself without overheating.

Finally, also think about the water level, which varies depending on the season: spring generally offers ideal conditions, but summer remains very passable, even if the water is lower.

Yes, you can sail in the summer… but it would be a lie to say the water is as high as in the spring! During periods of intense heat, the level naturally drops , and on some stretches, you might have to get out of the boat to pull it a few meters . Nothing dramatic, but it's good to be aware of it.

Fortunately, upstream reservoirs are sometimes opened to maintain a passable level, especially on the most popular routes. Result: the descent remains pleasant, even in August.
But if you look for maximum sliding comfort, come a little earlier in the season 😉

Absolutely! On the legendary route of the Ardèche Gorges, you can put down your paddle for the night by booking a place in one of the two official bivouacs.

Two days to fully experience this wild adventure, take the time to admire every curve, every cliff, and sleep under the stars.

An experience to be enjoyed without rushing, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Closed shoes are required to keep your feet well protected on the rocks and to avoid losing your precious shoes in a rapid.

Bring your swimsuit, a light t-shirt, and a hat. If you can, avoid sunscreen.

Also remember to bring something to eat, or even a picnic, because a good descent makes you hungry quickly. And above all, don't forget plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

Finally, avoid valuables. Even if a waterproof container is provided to keep your belongings dry, it's best not to take any risks.

Learn gently

Accompanied descents

You could set off on your own, paddle in hand, hair blowing in the wind... but you might be missing the point. With a river guide, the descent takes on a completely different feel: more reassuring, more fun, more enriching. You stop where you need to, you learn to read the river, you discover the life hidden beneath the pebbles, and above all, you enjoy yourself without stress. For beginners, families, or the curious, this is the ideal option to fully enjoy...

  • Canoë Famille Ardèche Sauvage – Cirque de Gens avec Kayacorde

    Sports activities

    Labeaume

    Family Canoeing in the Wild Ardèche – Cirque de Gens with Kayacorde
    Family Canoeing in the Wild Ardèche – Cirque de Gens with Kayacorde, © Kayacorde

  • Itinérance VTT + Kayak avec Ardèche Sport Nature & Co

    Sports activities

    From €85 / adult

    Vinezac

    Mountain biking and kayaking with Ardèche Sport Nature & Co
    Mountain biking and kayaking tour with Ardèche Sport Nature & Co, © credit Teddy Bertrand

  • Descente en canoë accompagnée avec Christophe Pernot

    Sports activities

    Open. Closes at 21 p.m.

    Salavas

    Guided canoe trip with Christophe Pernot
    Guided canoe trip with Christophe Pernot

  • Mini descente accompagnée en après-midi avec la Petite Mer

    Sports activities

    From €42 / adult

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08pm

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Mini guided descent in the afternoon with the Petite Mer
    Mini guided descent in the afternoon with the Petite Mer, © ugo

  • Accompagnement Canoë – Famille et enfants moins de 7 ans avec Christophe Pernot

    Sports activities

    Open. Closes at 21 p.m.

    Salavas

    Canoeing Accompaniment – Family and children under 7 years old with Christophe Pernot
    Canoeing Accompaniment – Family and children under 7 years old with Christophe Pernot

  • Canoë Famille en soirée – dès 3 ans avec Kayacorde

    Sports activities

    Book online

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Family Canoeing in the Evening – from 3 years old with Kayacorde
    Family canoeing in the evening – from age 3 with Kayacorde, © Kayacorde

  • Canoë enfants encadré en soirée avec Christophe Pernot

    Sports activities

    Salavas

    Children's canoeing supervised in the evening with Christophe Pernot
    Children's canoeing supervised in the evening with Christophe Pernot

  • Descente Guidée à partir de 5 ans – CCC-Canoë

    Sports activities

    Bookable online. From €35 per adult.

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08 p.m.

    Les Assions

    Guided Canoe Trip for ages 5 and up – CCC-Canoe
    Guided Canoe Trip for ages 5 and up – CCC-Canoe, © CCC

  • Canoë Kayak – CCC-Canoë

    Sports activities

    Book online

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08 p.m.

    Les Assions

    Canoe Kayak – CCC-Canoe
    Canoe Kayak – CCC-Canoe, © CCC

  • Raid Aventure du Pont d’Arc avec Kayacorde

    Sports activities

    Book online

    Open. Closes at 21 p.m.

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Pont d’Arc Adventure Raid with Kayacorde
    Adventure Raid at Pont d'Arc with Kayacorde, © Kayacorde

  • Canoë famille encadré en matinée avec Christophe Pernot

    Sports activities

    From €30 / adult

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08 p.m.

    Salavas

    Guided family canoe trip in the morning with Christophe Pernot
    Guided family canoe trip in the morning with Christophe Pernot

  • Canoë Kayak encadré avec moniteur – Ceven’Aventure

    Sports activities

    Book online

    Les Vans

    Supervised canoeing and kayaking with instructor – Ceven’Aventure
    Guided canoe and kayak trips with an instructor – Ceven'Aventure, © Ceven'Aventure

  • Mini descente accompagnée en matinée avec la Petite Mer

    Sports activities

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08pm

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Mini accompanied descent in the morning with the Petite Mer
    Mini guided descent in the morning with the Petite Mer, © ugo

  • Mini descente accompagnée en soirée avec la Petite Mer

    Sports activities

    Closed. Opens tomorrow at 08pm

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Mini accompanied descent in the evening with the Petite Mer
    Mini guided evening descent on the Petite Mer river © ugo

  • Canoë Famille en matinée – dès 3 ans avec Kayacorde

    Sports activities

    Book online

    Vallon-Pont-d’Arc

    Family Canoeing in the Morning – from 3 years old with Kayacorde
    Family canoeing in the morning – from age 3 with Kayacorde, © Kayacorde

  • Canoë-kayak demi-journée avec Ardèche Sport Nature & Co

    Sports activities

    Vinezac

    Half-day canoeing and kayaking with Ardèche Sport Nature & Co
    Half-day canoe-kayak trip with Ardèche Sport Nature & Co, © credit Teddy Bertrand

    • Choosing the ideal descent

    To choose your ideal descent, remember that in Ardèche, you have the choice between two navigable rivers: the Ardèche, with its varied sections, sometimes wild, sometimes a little sporty, and the Chassezac, in the heart of the Cévennes, gentler, more peaceful... and also less crowded. No need to aim for performance with XXL mileage: it's better to listen to your real endurance. And above all, always plan time for a swim break or a picnic by the water: these are often the moments that transform a descent into an unforgettable memory.

    We'll book for you!

    Do you want an outing that truly suits you? Do you want some professional advice? Do you prefer a handshake to an online reservation?

    At the tourist office, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to drop by!

    Come see us
    Descent of the
    Descent of the, © Zenistock

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