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FAQ - Canoe Rental in Ardèche :
Your Questions Answered by Aventure Canoë
Planning a canoe trip through the Ardèche Gorges ?
Find all the information you need to organize your adventure with Aventure Canoës, departing from Salavas near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
Our FAQ covers everything about canoe and kayak rental in Ardèche, including bookings, prices, routes, minimum age requirements, pets, equipment, safety guidelines, shuttle services, and bivouac camping in the Ardèche Nature Reserve.
Whether you're planning a family outing, a trip with friends, or a full-day canoe adventure beneath the famous Pont d'Arc, you'll find all the answers here to prepare for an unforgettable experience in the Ardèche Gorges.
You can book your canoe rental in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc directly online on our website, by phone on +33 4 75 37 18 14 or via WhatsApp on +33 6 66 55 97 22. During high season, booking in advance is strongly recommended, but last-minute reservations may be possible depending on availability.
The price of a canoe trip in the Ardèche Gorges usually ranges from €19 to €59 per person, depending on the route, duration and age of the participants. Reduced rates are available for children, students and groups. For more details, visit our 2026 prices page.
Yes, our rates are discounted depending on the number of participants. We offer reduced prices for children, students and groups from 10 people, as well as seasonal offers during quieter periods. See our prices.
We accept credit and debit cards, cash, bank cheques and ANCV holiday vouchers, in both paper and digital versions.
Yes, you can offer a canoe trip in the Ardèche as a gift voucher valid on our routes. Contact us to order your voucher.
Yes, cancellation is free up to 48 hours before your trip. You can also change or postpone your booking depending on availability by contacting us.
In case of dangerous weather conditions such as storms or flooding, we offer a postponement or a full refund. If you have a personal issue, contact us: we always try to find the most flexible solution.
Aventure Canoë offers several canoe trips starting from Salavas near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc: 5 km, 7 km, 12 km, 24 km, 31 km and 36 km over 2 days with bivouac, suitable for all levels. View our canoe routes and choose your favourite!
The duration ranges from about 1.5 hours for short routes to 2 days for the full Ardèche Gorges descent, depending on your pace and the time you spend swimming, picnicking or relaxing.
For beginners, we recommend the 5 km or 7 km routes. They are easy, fun and perfect for discovering the Ardèche River by canoe.
No, most routes are suitable for beginners. The river current helps you move downstream and there are only a few fun rapids. The longer routes require a reasonable level of fitness.
Yes, you are free to stop on natural beaches to swim, picnic or rest. Please respect the environment, take your rubbish with you and enjoy the magic of the river.
No, the Ardèche River current naturally carries you downstream. You mainly paddle to steer your canoe and avoid obstacles.
Yes, the Pont d’Arc, the iconic natural arch of the Ardèche Gorges, is visible on most routes, except the 5 km route.
Yes, canoeing in the Ardèche is accessible to beginners. At Aventure Canoë, we explain how to use the equipment and give safety instructions before departure. The short routes from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc / Salavas are especially suitable for a first canoeing experience.
No, you do not need to be sporty to canoe on the Ardèche. The natural river current helps you move forward, and you mainly paddle to steer the boat. Normal physical condition is enough for the short routes. Longer descents simply require a little more stamina.
Yes, some routes are ideal for families with children, especially the 5 km and 7 km descents. They are easy, fun and include natural beaches for swimming breaks. Canoe rental in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc with Aventure Canoë is designed to be accessible and safe, with life jackets provided and a briefing before departure.
The minimum age is 7 years old for independent canoe trips and 4 years old with a qualified instructor. Babies are not allowed for safety reasons.
Yes, knowing how to swim is mandatory for all participants, adults and children.
There is no maximum age, but participants must be in good physical condition.
Yes, children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Parental authorisation may be required if necessary.
We provide the canoe, paddles, life jackets and a waterproof container. Our equipment is stable, recent and compliant with safety standards. Supporting local know-how matters to us: our canoes are made in Ardèche and our equipment is French.
Our boats can take 2 people, with the possibility of adding a small child in the middle depending on size and conditions. We mainly offer canoes, but single kayaks are available on request.
Yes, contact us in advance if you would like to use your own equipment or rent specific gear. We can organise return shuttles and offer a suitable solution.
Bring swimwear, closed-toe shoes, water (at least 1.5 L), sunscreen, a hat, a towel and a picnic for longer trips. For more information, see our page about canoeing down the Ardèche River.
Yes, we provide a waterproof container. We recommend adding a waterproof pouch for sensitive items such as phones, cameras or documents.
Yes, dogs are accepted on the 5 km, 7 km and 12 km routes, with a dog life jacket possible depending on size. Dogs are not allowed inside the Ardèche Gorges Nature Reserve, on the 24 km, 31 km and 36 km routes.
Yes, all our canoe trips include the return shuttle to the Aventure Canoë base in Salavas, near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. After your Ardèche Gorges descent, our minibus brings you directly back to your starting point.
Our base is located in Salavas, 2 km from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, with a shaded riverside launch area in nature and a private small beach.
Yes, free shaded parking is available at our canoe base in Salavas, near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc.
Yes, the parking area at our Aventure Canoë base in Salavas, near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, is used daily by our customers. You can leave belongings in your vehicle, but as everywhere, we recommend not leaving valuables visible.
The ideal canoeing season runs from April to September, with warmer water in summer and fewer crowds in spring.
Yes, except in dangerous conditions such as storms or flooding. In that case, we offer a postponement or a full refund.
No, canoeing in the Ardèche Gorges is an accessible and safe activity when safety instructions are followed. At Aventure Canoë, a mandatory safety briefing is given before every departure and all provided equipment complies with current standards.
Stay calm, hold on to the canoe and swim to the riverbank. In case of danger or strong current, let go of the canoe and get yourself to safety: we will recover it downstream. All safety instructions are explained before departure.
If you have difficulty on the water, calmly reach the riverbank and get to safety. An emergency number is given to you before departure and you can call emergency services on 112 if necessary. Detailed safety instructions are explained during the briefing before your trip.
The river is not supervised by lifeguards: you paddle independently and must follow the safety instructions. However, the gendarmerie and rescue teams regularly patrol the gorges to help ensure overall safety during the season.
Mobile phone coverage is very limited, or even unavailable, in some parts of the Ardèche Gorges. Before your departure with Aventure Canoë, we explain the safety instructions and give you an emergency number if needed.
Yes, we regularly welcome groups, schools, bachelor and bachelorette parties and companies, with qualified instructors available. Contact us for a personalised quote.
Depending on the type of disability and level of independence, some trips may be possible. Contact us so we can discuss your situation.
Yes, during 2-day canoe trips, bivouac camping is allowed only on the official equipped areas inside the nature reserve. It is one of the rare experiences in France where you sleep in the heart of a classified natural site, far from everything. When you depart with Aventure Canoë from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc / Salavas, we explain the rules and authorised locations.
Yes, it is recommended to book your bivouac in advance. We can guide you towards the right partners.
Yes, it is possible to do the 2-day Ardèche Gorges canoe descent with children, but the bivouac format is generally recommended from around 12 years old. This route requires good stamina, the ability to paddle for several hours and to spend a night in nature. For families with younger children, we recommend the short half-day routes instead.
For your 2-day canoe trip with bivouac, you need to bring your tent, sleeping bag, food, water, head torch and personal belongings for the night. Depending on availability, it may be possible to rent tents or inflatable mattresses: contact us in advance to check.
Yes, the official bivouac areas in the Ardèche Gorges have sanitary facilities. The facilities are simple in order to preserve the natural site.
No, lighting fires is strictly forbidden in the Ardèche Gorges because of the high wildfire risk and nature reserve regulations.
Yes, group bivouacs are possible on the official authorised areas in the Ardèche Gorges, provided that the tranquillity of the site and the environment are respected. For groups, it may also be possible to rent large collective tents called marabouts, which can shelter several people and make overnight organisation easier. Contact Aventure Canoë in advance to check availability and organise your 2-day descent.
Yes, you can take photos during your canoe trip in the Ardèche Gorges. We provide a waterproof container to protect your belongings, but we recommend using an additional waterproof pouch for your phone or camera.
Yes, thanks to our photography partner, a free photo of your Aventure Canoë trip is available to download after your outing. You can also purchase other souvenir photos taken during your passage.
Yes, GoPro-style action cameras are allowed to film your Ardèche canoe trip. Just make sure your equipment is securely attached to avoid losing it in the water.
Yes, we offer cold drinks and snacks at our Aventure Canoë base near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, before or after your canoe trip in the Ardèche. For longer descents, remember to bring your own picnic.
You can reach us from 8 am to 9 pm. Contact us by phone, email, WhatsApp or directly through our website.
