To prepare your trip well
The equipment provided for your descent
- The boats:
- Kayak 1 place
- Canoe 2 or 3 places
- Life jackets for buoyancy
- Paddles
- 1 55-liter container (equivalent to a large hiking backpack):
- Height: 45 cm
- Diameter: 40 cm
- Opening diameter: 27.50 cm
Neoprene wetsuits
available for rental on site
Appropriate clothing
- Old sneakers or watersandals (shoes which keep at the feet). For your security, avoid shoelaces
- Swimsuit
- T-shirt (beware of sunburns).
- Cap
- Sunglasses, without forgetting the little string to attache them
- Out of saison, plan:
- a linen pullover to wear directly on the skin
- a windstopper
- a change of clothes upon arrival
In any case, what should not be forgotten
- Clothing appropriate for the weather
- Sun protection (hat, shirt, glasses + cord, sunscreen …)
- Windbreaker in spring and automn
- Closed shoes that hold the foot (mandatory) for boating
- Change of clothes for arrival (1-day descents) or in the evening at the bivouac (2, 3 and 4-day descents
- Avoid bringing jewelry and other non-waterproof, fragile or valuable items
What to think of
For all descents
- Sufficient water
- Sun protection
- Energetic snack
For 1-day-descents
- Your picnic
- A change of clothes for your arrival
For 2-day, 3-day and 4-day descents
- Bivouac/campsite reservation confirmation (remember to print or download it before you go).
- Food for your stay (no food available in the entire nature reserve: lunch, dinner, or breakfast).
- Sufficient water (1.5 liters / person / day minimum).
- Complete change of clothes, including warm clothes for the evening and dry shoes (shoes used during the canoe trip will be wet)
- Sleeping bag (possibly “Canadian” tents)
- Lighter and fire starter for the barbecue (charcoal and grill provided at the bivouac area)
- Small first aid kit (for cuts, bruises, headaches, insect bites, mosquito repellent, bandages, etc.)
- Toiletry and hygiene items: toilet paper, soap, shampoo, towel, etc.
- Flashlight or headlamp (there is no lighting at the bivouac areas)
- Garbage bags to keep the Gorges clean. Please use the “Selective Recycling” policy. Thank you!
Our advice
Don’t carry unnecessary weight!
Eco-friendly
Choose durable, non-disposable equipment
- Water bottles rather than plastic bottles
- Tupperware type boxes to transport food
- Metal cutlery
Videos
Transport service made to order
You schedules requirements for return:
- We agreed to come to the time of your choice (minimum 6 people).
Coming from the Rhone Valley
- For the 7, 13 and 32 km descents:
We offer you a meeting point directly at Vallon Pont d’Arc. - For the 24, 30, 45 and 56 km descents:
We suggest you to leave your vehicle in St Martin d’Ardèche, the end point of your descent. We organize the morning shuttle to take you to the starting point (no waiting evening, highway 15 minutes).
Please note: only reservations confirmed and paid for before 4:00 PM the day before will be accepted. Please contact us to check that your shuttle is taken into account. In the event of no response or late validation, the appointment is directly in Vallon Pont d’Arc.
You come with your own equipment
- We ensure your return transport.
You prefer to discover the Gorges trail walk
- The return transport is provided by us.
To navigate with peace of mind
Consignes de sécurité
- Always wear your lifejacket closed
- Keep at least 10 meters between the boats on the small rapids.
- Recognize the rapid Charlemagne walking, right bank (except for the 24 km descent)
Navigation regulations
Navigation on the Ardèche is regulated by the permanent regional regulations.
Visit the different regulations:
- Between the Pont d’Arc and the Rhône (August 2021)
- Between the old bridge of Vogüé and the Pont d’Arc (April 2020)
- Between the old bridge of Vogüé and the Pont d’Arc (July 2016)
- Between the old bridge of Vogüé and the Pont d’Arc (April 2016)
- Navigation on water and rivers (except the Rhône and Ardèche between the old bridge of Vogüé and the Pont d’Arc) (May 2015)
