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Why choose Aventure Canoës for your Ardèche adventure?
⭐ 10,000+ customers trust us every season – Average rating 4.7/5
30 years of local experience in the heart of the Gorges de l'Ardèche
Aventure Canoës is a local, family-run business, established between Salavas and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc for more than 30 years.
Unlike impersonal booking platforms, our team lives the river day in, day out: they know the water levels, the paddling conditions and the best swimming spots.
The result: reliable advice and a stress-free start, whether it's your first time or your tenth trip.
An ideal activity for families, and a real paradise for children
The Ardèche trip is one of the most popular activities during the holidays.
- Our routes are accessible to families with children, groups of friends, couples and beginners.
- The many natural beaches let you take swimming breaks, picnic or simply admire the exceptional scenery of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.
- More information in our dedicated article: Canoeing in the Ardèche with children.
And before or after the trip, there's plenty for the children to let off steam.
- Our base has a trampoline, a slide and a large play area where they can run around and have fun to their heart's content.
- A world away from the big impersonal roadside operations: here, everything is designed so that young and old can enjoy a real day in nature, at their own pace.
Return shuttles included: no logistics for you
It's one of the central points of our set-up and the one customers appreciate most:
- Transport back to your vehicle is included in all our trips.
- No need to juggle two cars or organise a thing.
- You paddle, we take care of the rest, with a quick and comfortable return.
Recent, certified equipment, 100% French-made
The canoes are Made in Ardèche!
Your safety remains our priority.
We provide:
- Regularly maintained canoes and kayaks
- Certified life jackets
- Paddles suited to your height
- Watertight barrels to protect your personal belongings
- Our life jackets and our paddles are made in France.
- As for the canoes and kayaks, we couldn't be more local: they're all made in the Ardèche, in Saint-Jean-le-Centenier!
- All the equipment is checked before every departure to guarantee an enjoyable experience on the river.
A private beach just for you
At Aventure Canoës, the welcome matters just as much as the trip.
- At the start and at the finish, you can enjoy our private beach by the river to swim, picnic or simply catch your breath in the shade.
- Your dog, too, appreciates this quiet spot to cool off before hitting the road again.
- The shaded car park is free, so you can start and end the day with complete peace of mind.
All the little extras, free or loaned on site
The adventure doesn't stop at hiring the canoe. On site, you enjoy a whole range of little extras designed for your comfort and enjoyment:
- A free coffee before you set off
- A glass of rosé or cold water offered at the end of your canoe trip
- Cords available to attach your glasses
- A free shaded car park
- An introduction to the basics of canoe-kayaking
- Loan of wetsuits when the water is cool
- Life jackets for dogs provided on request
- Loan of protective helmets on request
A local team to guide you towards the right route
Beginner, family with children, group of friends or sporty type: we point you towards the route that suits you best, from a gentle taster to the full gorges. Rather than choosing at random, make the most of our advice on site.
10,000+ adventurers, 4.7/5 every season
- A rating of 4.7/5 from several hundred reviews, season after season: it's the best proof of the quality of the welcome and the organisation.
- Booking is quick and simple, online or by phone.
Still hesitating between several operators? Our guide gives you the criteria to check
: how to choose your canoe rental company in the Ardèche.
FAQ: Why choose Aventure Canoës
What are the advantages of Aventure Canoës compared with other rental companies?
- We put the emphasis on the quality of the welcome, easy booking, recent and comfortable equipment, and an efficient set-up with departures and returns throughout the day.
- Our local team knows the river inside out and advises you on the route best suited to your group.
Are the routes on offer suitable for families?
- Yes. Our half-day trips of 5 km, 7 km and 12 km are especially popular with families with children.
- They let you discover the Pont d'Arc and the scenery of the Gorges de l'Ardèche at a relaxed pace, with no particular difficulty.
Is the equipment provided included in the price?
- Yes. All our hires include the canoe or kayak, the paddles, the certified life jackets, the watertight barrel and the shuttle transport.
- There's no extra charge for these essential items.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my trip?
- A passing shower doesn't stop you paddling: the trip usually goes ahead.
- In the event of a genuine weather warning or a water level that makes the river impassable, we let you know and find a suitable solution — rebooking or a refund depending on the case. Our team follows the river conditions every day.
- See our article on the best time to canoe the Ardèche.
Do you need to know how to swim to canoe the Ardèche with you?
- Yes! Being able to swim is compulsory. For young children, choose a trip supervised by an instructor by contacting us before booking.
- A certified life jacket is compulsory and provided to everyone.
Do you organise group outings (birthdays, hen dos, corporate groups, holiday camps)?
- Yes, it's actually one of our specialities.
- For a group, contact the team ahead: together we set the slot, the shuttles and the route best suited to the number and level of the participants.
- Discover our articles on team-building in the Ardèche, canoe seminars on the Ardèche and hen and stag dos.
Can you keep a photo memento of your trip?
- Yes. Partner photographers are stationed along the river, notably at the Pont d'Arc crossing, and capture your trip without you having to get your camera out.
- You then find your shots after the outing and choose the ones you'd like to keep as a memento.
- Discover our partner photographers!
- And for your own photos, a watertight barrel is provided to protect your phone and camera throughout the route.
How do you book, and do you need to do it in advance?
- Booking is done online in a few clicks, or by phone.
- In July and August, book early: the guided slots go quickly.
- Outside high season, last-minute departures are often still available.
