Between May and September, enjoy a slow experience in the heart of the national nature reserve of the Ardèche Gorges! Here’s our plan for you to plunge into the great unspoilt outdoors: paddle the 32 kms downriver in 2 days and bivouac for the night under canvas or under the starry sky … Get your gear together, we’ll take care of the rest!
Canoe down the Ardèche Gorges in 2 days
Whitewater excursions down the Ardèche Gorges are some of the last in Europe open to beginners as long as they are proficient swimmers. There are several different distances to choose from:
– the 6 to 10 km short excursion starting from Salavas and landing in Chames
– the classic 24 km excursion starting from Chames or the 32 km one starting from Salavas, both landing in Saint Martin d’Ardèche.
To fully appreciate the scenery of the Ardèche Gorges, there’s nothing better than the classic 32 km excursion which takes you under the Pont d’Arc natural arch ! You can do it in either 1 or 2 days with an overnight stop at one of the two dedicated bivouac sites in the heart of the nature reserve. Bring your own tent, sleeping bag and picnic, and enjoy the simple life overnight.
A. Trevet
Frédéric MortainBooking your canoe and bivouac package
Paddle down the Ardèche Gorges at your own pace without the hassle … no problem ! With your Ardèche Gorges 2 day/1night pack, here’s the schedule:
– No need to be up at the crack of dawn: your day starts at 11am at the canoe hire in Saint Martin where you get the shuttle to Vallon Pont d’Arc. By leaving later you’ll miss the canoe jams on the river and have the gorges all to yourself at the end of the day!
– Breathe in the fresh air and bond with nature, enjoy the peace and quiet and the wildlife.
– Have an unforgettable night bivouacking in the heart of the Ardèche Gorges nature reserve. Under the star-studded sky or under canvas … oh what a magical night! You can :
• listen to one of the reserve’s accredited guides give a talk on the plant and wildlife
• chat and share your day’s adventures around the barbecue
• hear the water rippling past or the hoot of an owl break the night air
• recognize the animal tracks on the beach in the early morning light or come face to face with a protected species!
– The following day, there’s no rush, go with the flow and paddle at leisure to your destination. Take a break, have a swim, drink in the spectacular scenery! Relax … take it slow! 2 days, no faze!
– Your car and belongings await you in Saint Martin … how’s that for comfort? Not bad, hey!
Availability and booking
How does it work ?
We book your canoe, your shuttle ride to the starting point and your overnight bivouac. For you, that means one single contact and simplified procedures.
With this pack, you overnight at Gaud bivouac site which is one third of the way down the river. It is the larger and the quieter of the two sites. However, when this site is closed (notably in June and September), your pitch will be booked at Gournier, halfway down the river.
On site, you’ll find a first-aid post, a couple of the reserve’s accredited guides, conveniences and showers, drinking water, tables, ready-to-use barbecues with racks and charcoal, recycling bins.
A few tips : the canoe excursion is open to the over-7s. You must be a proficient swimmer. Remember to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, food for 2 days, a first-aid kit with a mosquito repellent, a torch. Your belongings can be stored in the drums onboard your canoe.
Any questions? Just send an email or phone us on (+33) 04 75 98 70 92!