Guide to canoeing in the Ardèche gorges
Tips & inspiration

The Adventurer's Guide: canoeing the Ardèche from A to Z

The fruit of 30 years of Ardèche descents, this guide brings together all our advice for a successful trip: choosing the right route for your level and your time, knowing from what age to take children, understanding the river through the seasons, and discovering the gorges, their wildlife and their flora. Whether you're a beginner, a family, a sporty paddler or a bivouac lover, you'll find everything here to prepare your adventure.

All our articles

The Ardèche water's level
The Ardèche water's level
The Ardèche water level for canoeing: real-time tools, thresholds, month-by-month effects and the best time.
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Overnight bivouac in the Ardèche gorges: your complete guide
Overnight bivouac in the Ardèche gorges: your complete guide
Bivouac in the Ardèche gorges: Gaud or Gournier, booking, gear checklist, rules and the best time to go.
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The most beautiful villages in the Ardèche
The most beautiful villages in the Ardèche
Balazuc, Vogüé, Aiguèze, Labeaume… our pick of the most beautiful villages in the Ardèche to visit near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, with distances from Vallon.
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Canoeing with your dog
Canoeing with your dog
in the Ardèche: allowed routes, dog life jacket, boarding and safety & heat tips.
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Stag and hen parties in the Ardèche
Stag and hen parties in the Ardèche
Plan a stag or hen party canoeing the Ardèche gorges: group routes, festive tips and how to organise the day.
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Choose the right canoe rental company
Choose the right canoe rental company
The real criteria for choosing a canoe rental in the Ardèche: reviews, safety, equipment, shuttles and local roots.
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When to go canoeing in the Ardèche?
When to go canoeing in the Ardèche?
Temperatures, water level and crowds month by month to choose when to go canoeing in the Ardèche.
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Weather in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Weather in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Weather in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc for your canoe trip: temperatures, water level, storms and the best time.
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Parking & shuttle
Parking & shuttle
Free parking and return shuttle included: how your trip works, from the Salavas car park to getting back to your car.
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Canoeing safety on the Ardèche
Canoeing safety on the Ardèche
Gear, what to do if you capsize, rules on the water and family tips: everything for a safe canoe trip down the Ardèche.
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The Pont d'Arc
The Pont d'Arc
A 60 m natural arch spanning the Ardèche, the Pont d'Arc is the gateway to the gorges. How to see it, reach it, swim and paddle under it: the complete guide.
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Kayak or canoe in the Ardèche: which to choose for your trip?
Kayak or canoe in the Ardèche: which to choose for your trip?
Kayak or canoe? Differences in paddle, position and stability, and which to choose for your profile: the complete guide, with our on-the-water advice.
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Châmes
Châmes
Châmes, a small hamlet in the Ardèche gorges: its calm-water beach, access from Vallon and its key role in the canoe descents.
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Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
The finishing point of the great gorge descents: beaches, guinguettes and the evening market await just metres from where you step ashore.
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Best swimming spots in the Ardèche
Best swimming spots in the Ardèche
The most beautiful swimming beaches of the Ardèche gorges: Pont d'Arc, Châmes, Gournier, Cirque de Gens, access and tips.
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Seminar in Ardèche
Seminar in Ardèche
Build a canoe day into your corporate seminar in the Ardèche: formats, a sample plan and the logistics.
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Team building nature canoe
Team building nature canoe
Why canoeing in the Ardèche is the ideal team-building activity: collective challenge, disconnection and shared memory.
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Canoeing the Ardèche gorges
Canoeing the Ardèche gorges
Canoeing the Ardèche gorges landmark by landmark: Pont d'Arc, camps, wildlife and what you only see from the water.
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Canoeing in the Ardèche with children
Canoeing in the Ardèche with children
Canoeing in the Ardèche with children: from what age, which route to choose, safety and tips for a great trip.
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The markets of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
The markets of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
The Vallon-Pont-d'Arc market is held on Thursday mornings, with a night market on Tuesday evenings in summer. Plus the markets of Ruoms, Barjac and Saint-Martin.
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Canoeing as a couple
Canoeing as a couple
Which canoe route to choose as a couple in the Ardèche gorges, plus our tips for a great trip for two.
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What to do in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc ?
What to do in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc ?
Canoeing, the Pont d'Arc, Chauvet Cave, caves, market: the complete guide to planning your stay in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc based on how long you visit.
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