8 km
Mini descent - Pont d'Arc
Easy
Approx. 1h30
Perfect for families
In brief:
Pass through the pont d'arc
Take As long as you want
Easy navigation With a few rapids
rates
Online booking discounts:
-
1 to 9 adults
32,00 €28,00 € -
10 to 19 Adults
30,00 €26,00 € -
+20 Adults
28,00 €24,00 € -
Child(ren) (aged 7 to 15)
24,00 €21,00 € -
Child(ren) in third place* 19,00 €
*Reserved for children weighing less than 35kg, middle seat without paddle, requires two other people in the canoe.
More information:
📖 Presentation of the course
The Ardèche Descent 8km - mini descent of the Pont d'Arc
– This descent is self-guided (without an instructor).
– It is accessible to anyone aged 7 and above who can swim.
The Mini Descent of the Ardèche – 8 km allows you to discover the enchanting Pont d’Arc at your own pace.
Departures from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It starts at our Vallon-Pont-d’Arc pier and ends at the hamlet of Châmes, about 30 minutes of paddling after the Pont d’Arc arch, for a total of about 1.5 hours of navigation 
.
But the goal is to enjoy yourself!
There’s no need to rush: you have all the time you want to savour your descent, swim, picnic by the river or enjoy the beaches of the Ardèche.
Discover this unforgettable little adventure, perfect for:
families with children (aged 7 and above)
Outings with friends, taking your time
those looking for an easy, stress-free route
🔍 Activity schedule
Details about the 8km Ardèche descent Mini descent from the Pont d'Arc
Departure:
Meeting point for this route:
📍 To start your mini descent of the Ardèche – 8 km, simply go to our pier (Passage François Lecler, Vallon-Pont-d’Arc) at any time of day (non-stop from 8am to 4pm).
🛶 You can choose whether you prefer to travel in a 2-seater canoe or an individual kayak.
👉 3-seater boats are available if the middle seat is occupied by a child weighing less than 35 kg.
🎒 Our team will provide you with all the equipment you need for your trip:
Waterproof containers (26L or 56L)
Life jackets
Paddles
You can take the time you need to get changed (toilets and showers are available) and prepare your picnic if you plan to have lunch on the banks of the Ardèche.
👨🏫 You will then attend a briefing and introduction to paddling techniques, given by our team of experienced professionals.
Then… let’s go! Good news: you’ll be boarding directly from our jetty! No bus to take you to the starting point! Strap the equipment onto your canoe(s) and set off on your adventure on the Ardèche 🌞.
descent :
This 8 km descent of the Ardèche river does not present any particular difficulties.
👉 Only the Branches and Charlemagne rapids require a little steering (easy).
⏳ You will paddle for about 40 minutes before reaching the first rapid, giving you time to get used to navigating.
Once you have passed the two rapids, you will arrive under the unmissable Pont d’Arc, an ideal spot for swimming and relaxing (about 1 hour of paddling from the jetty).
⚠️ Remember to bring sun protection (opt for clothing that covers your skin rather than polluting sunscreen).
You will have about 30 minutes of paddling left to reach the end of the Mini-Descente, where the Loulou Bateaux team will be waiting for you.
Arrival and return:
The arrival point for the 8 km descent of the Ardèche is in the hamlet of Châmes, at stop no. 5 📍 (left bank).
Easy to access, you will dock on a pebble beach and be met by our team on site.
🚌 A shuttle bus will be waiting for you at the arrival point at the time you chose before embarking and will take you back to the Vallon-Pont-d’Arc pier.
Possible return times:
To be specified before your departure
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.*
*During high season
🗺️ Route map
⭐ Customer reviews
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).
