The Descents
Canoës Service offers 7 descents formulas
Mini descent 7 km
1/2 day
A discovery of the Ardèche and canoe (or kayak), from the bridge of Salavas to Châmes, passing under the Pont d’Arc.
Accessible to all, the small descent is most often done about half a day, leaving time for swimming around the Pont d’Arc for example…
Paddle Time: 1h30 environ.
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Mini Descent 7 km |
Low Season |
High Season |
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Departure times |
9:00 am |
10:00 am |
11:00 am |
9:00 am |
10:00 am |
11:00 am |
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12:00 pm |
2:00 pm |
3:00 pm |
12:00 pm |
2:00 pm | 3:00 pm | |
| 4:00 pm | 4:00 pm | |||||
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Schedules back |
11:30 am |
2:00 pm |
5:00 pm |
From 11:30 am |
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| 3:00 pm |
4:00 pm |
6:00 pm |
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Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
The 7km Mini Descent with instructor
1/2 day
Descent with monitor in the late afternoon: a different view of the river; discover the river Ardèche away from the crowds…
Children from 5 years old are accepted, the youngest children will be in the monitor’s boat.
From June to early September, weekdays, by reservation.
Departure at 9:00am and 4:30pm (show up 20 minutes before).
The 13 km descent
1/2 day
From Sampzon to Châmes.
The first portion to Vallon Pont d’Arc is quiet and without rapid with 4 dams equipped with slides for canoes.
The second part is the same than the Mini Descent passing under the Pont d’Arc.
Paddle Time: 3:00.
In the event that the water level would be highter than the reference level, regulated by prefectural, the descent will be canceled.
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13 km descent |
Low season |
High season | ||
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Departure times |
11:00 am |
12:00 pm |
11:00 am |
12:00 pm |
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Schedules back |
4:00 pm |
5:00 pm |
4:00 pm |
5:00 pm |
Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
The 24 km descent
1 day
From Châmes to Sauze in the Canyon of the Ardèche Gorges, Natural Reserve.
Paddle Time: 5:00.
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24 km descent |
Low season |
High season |
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Departure times |
09:00 am |
09:00 am |
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Schedules back |
5:00 pm |
5:00 pm |
Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
The 30 km descent
1 day
From Vallon Pont d’Arc to Sauze: the entire canyon with the Pont d’Arc and the Natural Reserve of the Ardèche Gorges.
The site is wonderful but you should be in good physical condition because this descent requires 6 to 7 hour of paddle according to the water level, and takes place in the Gorges which are accessible only by boat or on foot (except Reserve staff).
Paddle Time: 7:00.
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30 km descent |
Low season |
High season |
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Departure time |
09:00 am |
09:00 am |
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Schedules back |
5:00 pm |
5:00 pm |
Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
30 km descent
2 days with bivouac
The same route as above but spread over two days, which makes it accessible to all.
Start in the late morning or early afternoon and finish the next day around 3:00pm to Sauze. This avoids the affluence of the descent in one day.
Total paddling time: 7:00.
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30 km descent |
Low season |
High season | ||||
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Departure time |
10:00 am |
11:00 am |
12:00 am |
10:00 am |
11:00 am |
12:00 am |
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Schedules back |
2nd day 3 :00 pm. – 5.00 pm. Earlier: on demand (group) | 2nd day 3 :00 pm. – 5.00 pm. Earlier: on demand (group) | ||||
Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
There should be a bivouac in the Gorges between the two sailing days:
- Bivouac of Gaud: 3h00 of navigation.
- Bivouac Gournier: 4h30 of navigation.
Remember to book your bivouac tickets.
The 37 km descent
2 days with night in campsite
From Sampzon to Sauze
The first part until Vallon Pont d’Arc is easy and without fast, with passage of 4 dikes arranged with slides for canoes.
The second part resumes the 30km descent with passage under the Pont d’Arc and crossing the Nature Reserve of the Gorges de l’Ardèche.
Total paddling time: 8h30.
In the event that the water level would be highter than the reference level, regulated by prefectural, the descent will be canceled.
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37 km descent |
Low season |
High season | ||
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Departure time |
11:00am |
12:00pm |
11:00am |
12:00pm |
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Schedules back |
2nd day 5:00pm | 2nd day 5:00pm | ||
Low season: Month of April, October, and during the week for the month of September.
High season: Months of May, June, July, August, and September weekends.
One night campsite in Vallon Pont d’Arc after the first day of navigation. Our prices do not include the booking of the campsite (you will be advised after validation of your reservation).
The 56 km descent
4 days with bivouacs
Start from Vogue or Balazuc with stop at Sampzon first night, camping at Aloha Camping or the Riviera.
Second day: from Sampzon to the bivouac of Gaud.
Third day: from Gaud to Sauze.
For more information or reservations, thank you for contacting us.
The equipment provided for your descent
- Boats, well suited to the river, are equipped with two jackets (buoyancy aid) and paddles.
- Waterproof container provided, 55 liters if well used (equivalent to a big bag of hiking):
- 1 container for one day descent.
- 2 containers for 2 days trip.
- Height: 45 cm – Diameter 40 cm – opening diameter: 27.50 cm.
- Possibility to rent wetsuits.
For your safety
- Always wear your lifejacket closed.
- Keep at least 10 meters between the boats on the small rapids.
- Recognize the rapid Charlemagne walking, right bank (for 7 km, 13 km and 30 km descents).
Regulation
Consult the navigation prefectorial order on the river Ardèche
Meeting points
Canoës Service offers 2 meeting points to choose:
Our reception in Vallon Pont d’Arc
Passage de la 107 passage François Lecler, route des Gorges at 200m from the roundabout Gorges.
Meeting point in Sauze (Saint Martin d’Ardèche)
Week-ends of May, and every days from June.
Blue hut “Ardèche Loisirs,” bus park, on the left after 2 stops.
If you prefer to leave your car in Sauze (Saint-Martin d’Ardeche), end point of your descent, we organize the morning shuttle to take you to the starting point (no waiting evening, highway 15 min).
– For 24 km and 30 km descent on 1 day :
The appointment is at 8:30 am.
Sauze departure by bus to Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Arrive at 9:30 am (CSVP base) information, initiation, departure for the descent.
From 4:30 pm to 6:00 p.m. Free arrival (your cars are on the site).
– For the 30 km descent 2 days :
The appointment is at 11:00 a.m.
Sauze departure by bus to Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Arrival at noon (CSVP base): Information, initiation, Picnic possible near the water at the boarding point, departure for the descent.
Stop at Gaud bivouac or Gournier bivouac.
The 2nd day: Canoeing to Sauze.
From noon to 5:00 pm.: Free arrival (the cars are on site).
Display the map.
Choose your descent from the 5 available online.
For the descents on 2 days, dont forget to book your bivouac tickets.
Bank Card
Cash
