Aventure Canoës, a family story on the banks of the Ardèche

From 1987 to 2017, a story of passing the torch

Back to 1987. Jean-Marc Besnier and Alain Souleliac launch the company, and Vincent, still a teenager, lands his first two seasons there. Twenty years later, in 2007, it's his father who takes over the business. Vincent stays by his side, learns the trade inside out, and eventually takes the reins in 2017.

Canoeing, for him, goes way back: five years on a licence at the CREPS sports academy in Vallon, a few competitions, his first seasons at barely 13. He's had his feet in the water for more than 25 years, and the same spark is still there.

A team that loves people

Today, he's at the helm on his own, with his partner Manon by his side every day. In season, there are four of them, and three more once July and August come around. What does the whole team have in common? They love people. Welcoming you, advising you, taking the time to chat with you, that matters just as much as handing you a paddle.

The canoe, the most beautiful way to see the Ardèche

Vincent and Manon are from the Ardèche, born in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. And they never tire of introducing their river to people from elsewhere. For them, the canoe is quite simply the most beautiful way to see the Ardèche: you head down the river, you look up, and the scenery does the rest.

Their three principles: fairness, honesty, a smile

They have a few principles, and they're not there for show.

• Fairness, first: you pay a price, you get the service that goes with it, and the rates are clearly displayed. No nasty surprises.
• Honesty next, from the first piece of advice to the shuttle back, because they'd rather tell you things straight.
• And a smile, above all. You should leave happy, and when someone leaves disappointed, whatever the reason, it stays with them.

Recent equipment and plenty of listening

He goes all out on the equipment, and he owns it: he makes sure he has the most recent and best-maintained canoes and kayaks in the whole area. And that's no small thing, it's where your safety begins. As for the rest, it all comes down to listening. Beginner or regular, perfectly at ease in the water or not at all, with family, with friends or in a big group: there's always a trip for you. And for the youngest, or those just starting out, the team offers trips with an instructor.

Families and groups, his favourite customers

What really makes him happy? Someone saying to him at the end of the day: "see you next year, to do the other part of the river!" His favourite customers are families. And for good reason: a dad of two children aged 5 and 8, he knows there's nothing more precious than discovering nature all together.

But he also has a real soft spot for big groups. A stag do, a hen do, a gang of mates or a whole tribe gathered for the occasion: the more of you there are on the water, the more the day feels like a celebration, and that's exactly what he loves to organise.

One day, a family sets off on the mini trip. In the Charlemagne, a slightly choppier passage, their canoe tips over. More fright than harm, everyone comes out without a scratch. But the mother had a terrible scare for her child. That very afternoon, she calls. Voice trembling, shaken and angry, she gives Vincent a real telling-off for a good ten minutes. And right after, a one-star review lands on Google.

On the phone, Vincent offers just one thing: to come and see them at the end of the day, to talk it over calmly, face to face. She agrees, still on her guard. He goes. They talk for an hour and a half, with the whole family, with the child too. He listens, he explains, and little by little, they come to understand each other. The next day, the one-star review had become five stars.

If he tells this story so often, it's because it says everything that matters to him: no one should leave disappointed. When there's a problem, you talk about it face to face, and you sort things out. For him, that's what a proper welcome means.
 

Vincent and Manon grew up in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, and they never really left. They've travelled quite a bit, mind you, but for them it's clear: there's no more beautiful region.

This is where they chose to watch their children grow up. It has to be said that in Vallon, everything is within easy reach: the Pont d'Arc, the Chauvet cave, the entrance to the gorges, the river, the forest trails.

The base sits in Salavas, right by the water. Vincent has been coming here for 25 years and still feels just as good about it, so much so that he bought the land a few years back. This is home, and that won't change.

Growing without chasing growth

He takes the seasons one at a time, without chasing growth. His goal has never been to be the biggest, but to do his job well: welcoming you one by one, and giving you a great day.

He also works hand in hand with the local outfits that share his values. When he took over, he didn't have a single partner. Today? More than ten places to stay work with him, and a few more each year.

Holding on, his real pride

He says it plainly: in the first year, he very nearly lost everything. A business he'd paid too much for, a disastrous season, and after three months, the urge to sell up. But he held on. It came down to a thread. Then Covid arrived, and once again, the business wobbled.

And today? Turnover has tripled, the team has doubled, along with the number of vehicles and canoes. That's his real pride.

And it's also why he can welcome you with complete peace of mind.