If there's an activity you simply cannot miss during your holiday in the Ardèche, it's canoeing down the river!

An easy-going family trip through the picturesque villages or under the Pont d’Arc arch, a sporty descent through the natural reserve of the Ardèche Gorges…

From Vogüé to Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche, there are so many wild routes to follow along the Ardèche river, in a canoe.

We will give you all the necessary information to make sure you have a great time!

The Ardèche Gorges descent (24 or 32 km), departing from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc or from the Pont d’Arc arch.

It is possible to get down the river in one day, but we recommend you spread it over 2 days with an overnight stay in a bivouac at the heart of the Natural Reserve.

That will give you lots more time to admire the landscape and go for a swim

It will without a doubt be a magical and revitalising experience…

HIRE A CANOE 

Canoë Gorges de l'Ardèche ©Matthieu Dupont

Canoeing under the Pont d’Arc arch.

6, 8 or 14 km routes, passing under the magnificent stone arch at the entrance to the Ardèche Gorges.

HIRE A CANOE

Canoë ©Tristan Shu - Rhône Alpes Tourisme

Through the villages, The Ardèche Gorges upstream route.

Departing from Vogüé, Balazuc or Pradons, and arriving in Ruoms, these routes are less crowded and really have a lot on offer, suitable for a family adventure…

 

HIRE A CANOE

Canoë Ardèche ©Steph Tripot
Carte rivière Ardèche

Alone or with a guide?

To canoe down the Ardèche, you can simply hire a canoe and go down by yourself, or you can choose to be accompanied by a qualified professional.

– To canoe down the Ardèche alone (without a guide), there are 2 conditions: be over 7 years old and be able to swim. Then you just need to choose the route you’d like to follow, and hire a canoe from one of our partners.

Hire a canoe

Are you with children under 7 years old? You can still go canoeing, but you have to be accompanied by a qualified instructor. (the child still needs to know how to swim)

And if you would like to discover the river in a more original way, choosing to go with a guide is the perfect compromise, to learn all the techniques of canoeing or kayaking in complete safety, and at the same time learn all about the wildlife and surrounding environment!

 

Find out about the qualified guides

Canoë Gorges de l'Ardèche ©Matthieu Dupont