Nature reserve - 24 km

High season : July and August.

These costs include canoe or kayak hire, life jackets meeting the European standards, paddles, waterproof containers, neoprene tracksuits, windcheaters, directions and other information you might need, the trip back with a private bus, a cup of coffee before leaving, and some refreshment upon arrival.

For all nature lovers and/or sporty people: cross the Ardèche Gorges nature reserve for unforgettable memories!... You will undoubtedly be blown away by the unspoilt nature and dazzled by the high chalky cliffs with peaks of 250 m and more, eroded by wind and rain.

Foresee around 5 hours of paddling to cross this magnificent canyon.

You will have to leave between 8 and 9.30 AM. However, we advise you to leave as early as possible in order to make the most of your journey.

Gradual proceedings of your journey

When you arrive, you will be offered a cup of coffee to start the day well!

First of all, you will start with storing your belongings in a waterproof container. Please keep in mind you should bring your picnic and enough water because you won’t find a bar, restaurant or shop in the nature reserve!

In order to have more comfort and to immortalise the landscape, you will receive a small waterproof container in which you can store your mobile phone, keys, etc. This container will be stored in a larger container, which will give it double waterproofness.

Once you’re ready, a Castor staff member will inform you about the route. With the aid of maps and pictures, you will be shown some landmarks and given some advice to go smoothly through certain rapids on the Ardèche river, such as “la Dent Noir”, “la Toupine du Gournier”, or “la Pastière”. The location of these rapids will also be useful to estimate how much time is remaining before you arrive. Finally, you will be imparted some basic knowledge about how to handle the canoe and you will be explained some security guidelines. You will be provided with a buoyancy aid jacket corresponding with your weight.

As for the start, a vehicle will then take you to a hamlet called Chames, a bit beyond the Pont d’Arc. From that point, you will reach the reserve again a couple of minutes after you got on your canoe.

We would like to remind you of the fact that there is no road access in the reserve. So it is important to adapt your pace to your physical capacities.

We ask you to arrive between 4 and 5 AM at the landing stage of Sauze.

Thank you for respecting this timetable!

Upon arrival, a Castor Canoë staff member will take your jacket, paddles, and canoe or kayak and will show you the way back.

Several shuttle buses will be provided!

It will take some time to fill the returning vehicles before they can start up. Our team will do their utmost to keep you waiting for as less time as possible. If you have to wait a bit longer, we will show you a small open-air café, where you will be able to quench your thirst in the shadow. (very welcome after an entire day in the sun!).

Having arrived back at the Castor-Canoë base in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, after a 45-minute bus drive, you will be offered a cold drink (rosé, squash, etc.) and the time to share how you experienced your day in the Ardèche Gorges in a convivial atmosphere.