Canoeing down the Ardèche River
· Half day ·
Fancy a little run?
LOULOU BATEAUX offers several half-day canoe trips on the Ardèche River. Ideal for discovering the iconic landscapes without time constraints, these trips offer a friendly descent with friends or family. You paddle along the water, pass under the Pont d’Arc, admire the limestone cliffs, and discover the preserved flora and fauna.
Accessible to beginners and experienced paddlers alike, these short routes combine pleasure, nature, and thrills in complete safety.
All these short courses are unlimited in duration. Take as much time as you need!
Why choose a half-day trip down the Ardèche?
The “short” routes offer several advantages to consider when choosing your canoe or kayak route.
Discover the Ardèche in complete freedom:enjoy a short canoe route to admire the Pont d’Arc and/or have fun on the canoe slides with no time constraints.
Ideal for a first experience:perfect for beginners or families wanting to try canoeing with total peace of mind.
Keep time for other activities:combine your descent with swimming, cave visits or exploring Ardèche’s charming villages.
Exceptional landscapes in just a few hours:limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters and local wildlife, all accessible in a short format.
Flexibility and comfort: staggered departure times and quick return shuttles for simple, stress-free organisation.
Our mini descents:
5km
The mini slide descent
5 Km
Mini Slides descent
The mini slide descent – 5 km is a fun canoeing route suitable for ages 7 and up. Starting from Sampzon, you can enjoy canoe slides, clear waters, and beaches ideal for swimming. Depending on your pace, you can paddle for between 1.5 and 2.5 hours and discover a condensed version of the Ardèche landscape, perfect for an outing with family or friends.
8km
The mini descent of the Pont d'Arc
8 Km
Mini pont d'arc
The 8 km Descent – Pont d’Arc is the must-do route for admiring the most famous natural arch in Ardèche: the Pont d’Arc.
Starting from Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, allow around 1.5 hours of paddling time, between majestic cliffs and sandy beaches. Ideal for a half-day outing, this circuit is accessible to all and combines nature, relaxation, and spectacular scenery.
12km
The maxi-mini descent slides and Pont d'Arc
12 Km
Maxi mini descent
The 12 km Descent – slides and Pont d’Arc is the perfect compromise for enjoying the river to the full while remaining easy 🌞. From Sampzon, you paddle for about 3 hours along the river, alternating between calm stretches, canoe slides, and small, fun rapids. This route takes you past the legendary Pont d’Arc, along imposing cliffs, and past beautiful wild beaches. Accessible to beginners and occasional athletes alike, it is the ideal itinerary for combining nature, pleasure, and thrills.
FAQ
From what age can you go down the Ardèche river by canoe or kayak?
Canoeing and kayaking are permitted on the Ardèche river for children aged 7 and above. Children under this age must be accompanied by a professional instructor (see OUR SUPERVISED DESCENTS OF THE ARDECHE).
Do you need to know how to swim to go canoeing down the Ardèche?
Yes, although life jackets must be worn during the activity, it is essential to be able to swim at least 25 metres and to be able to submerge yourself if necessary.
Can we take a dog on the Ardèche river descents?
Yes, dogs are welcome to share your adventure with Loulou Boats. (Under your responsibility) Just make sure your four-legged friend is comfortable in the water. We also recommend that your dog wear a life jacket (available for an additional €15.00 at the pier).
Does the current water level allow for safe navigation down the Ardèche?
Yes! The Ardèche is a river that always maintains a decent flow, even during periods of drought, thanks to its many natural tributaries and several dams that ensure a steady flow.
In the event of heavy rainfall causing the flow to become too high for navigation, a warning banner is displayed on the pages for the affected routes. (This is extremely rare.)
I am canoeing down the Ardèche river and camping overnight. What should I do with my rubbish?
NATURE OPTION: Whether you are camping at Gaud or Gournier, you will only find compost bins for your organic waste. All other waste must be taken with you when you leave the nature reserve (you will find bins available on arrival).
COMFORT OPTION: Rubbish bins are available at Camping Adrénaline, where you will spend the night, and at the end of the trail.
Can we change the date of the descent if the weather is bad/if it rains?
Yes! If the weather is bad, you can change the date/time of your activity 🙂
Can we pay with ANCV holiday vouchers?
Yes! Simply make your booking as normal and select ‘full payment’, then choose ‘cheque/ANCV’ as your payment method.
Please ignore the message asking you to send payment by post; you will pay directly on site on the day of your stay.
Can we choose whether we want canoes or kayaks?
Yes! All our boats are sit-on-top style. You can choose the configuration of your boats: 1 seat, 2 seats, or even 3 seats (the middle seat is reserved for children under 12 years old).