From Saint Maurice d'Ardeche to Ruoms
Distance : 14 Km
Time to paddle : about 3h30.
Recommended time : 5h00 – 6h00.
Meeting point : Ruoms, a half hour in advance.
Departure time : 10am, 11am, noon.
Difficulties : some rapids class II.
Start : Saint Maurice d’Ardeche.
Finish : Ruoms
Past authentic villages and wild rocks.
The most « fun » descent of the Ardeche. It allows you to discover the whole range of landscapes of the Southern Ardeche including an authentic village Balazuc (one the most beautiful French villages) and its houses perched on the cliff, the hamlet of Viel Audon, the Cirque des Gens, the magnificent defiles of Ruoms (canyon). In the end of this descent you pass by a slide channel. And, of course, there are many possibilities to enjoy your stops at the rivesides.
Discription:
In the first part of this descent you are going to cross the French countryside. The river passes at Balazuc, the medieval village situated on the riverside, and at the foot of the farm Veil Audon. Then you cross two beautiful natural sites: the Defile de Ruoms (the Ruoms Canyon) and the Cirque de Gens with its impressive cliffs.
The rapids are not difficults (class II maximum). In the end of the descent there is a slide channel for kayak (much appreciated by children and teenagers).
Our opinion:
Peaceful and varied descent with lots of stopping possibilities, recommended for families with young children.
Don’t forget:
Take shoes that are good for you feet and protect them, such as sneakers or water shoes (no flip-flops).
Wear an adequate and adapted to the weather clothers: cap, windbreaker, T-short, long shorts that effectiverly protects the thighs from sunburn.
Provide sufficient quantity of drinking water.
The regulatory imperatives:
Each participant must know how to swim; each participant must wear a lifejackets at all times.
Children ( under 18 y.o.) can not participate alone, they must be accompanied by an responsible adult.
Prohibition of rental with childen under 7 y.o. Interdiction de la location avec des enfants de moins de sept ans.
Warning :
Canoe Kayak rent is prohibited if the water level is too high.
In case of prohibition of rent due to a water lever too important, you will be (accroding to your choice) either refunded or postponed to a date that suits you.
Your renter in Ruoms : Les Argonautes
7 Allée du stade 07120 Ruoms. GPS : 44.450965426442416N 4.337410955819689E