From Vallon Pont d'Arc to Sauze in one day
Distance : 30 Km
Time to paddle : about 7 hours.
Temps conseillé : 8-9 hours.
Meeting Point : Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Departure time : 8am, 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am.
Difficulties : Succession of water bodies and rapids (7 rapids class III, 25 rapids class II)
Start: Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Arrival : Sauze.
The classical descent of the Ardeche
It’s an intense, but an unforgettable day. You have to start early (between 8 am and 9:30 am) because this sport descent takes all the day. You pass under the Pont d’Arc, then you cross the Natural Reserve of the Ardeche Canyon, without forgetting to take the time to stop and to contemplate the surrounding landscapes.
You are constantly evolving in the sublime and grandiose canyon of the Ardèche. It’s a descent to do with friends, colleagues, couples. It’s beautiful and it’s long. Less suitable with young children who have to spend a long time sitting.
Discription:
This is a day of immersion in the most beautiful nature. During this canoe-kayak descent you will enjoy the Ardèche sites which have made its reputation. You pass under the Pont d’Arc and cross the Natural Reserve « Les Gorges de l’Ardèche ».
After the first rapids and the Pont d’Arc, you enter the Gorges de l’Ardèche Nature Reserve. The river is bordered on both sides by limestone cliffs up to two hundred meters. All along the descent, you cross rapids and bodies of water. There are many places where you can stop for a swim and a picnic, or just to contemplate and enjoy the moment.
Go down regularly, try to be in the middle of the course (towards the Gournier bivouac area) for lunch. When you are at the Cathedral rock you will have (depending on the water level) two to two and a half hours of paddling to reach the finish line where the return bus awaits you.
If you are a group, it is important that each boat is self-sufficient in water and food (it often happens during the descent that the members of the group lose sight of each other and only meet in the evening on arrival).
It is a sport descent, we do not recommend doing it with young children because for them the day may be « very long » sitting and contemplating the nature that surrounds them.
Our opinion:
It is a descent that can be done by anyone, provided you are in good physical shape and start early.
Young children do not always enjoy sitting in the boat all day contemplating nature, for this reason we do not always recommend it for families. 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.
Dogs (even on a leash) and alcohol are prohibited in the Gorges de l’Ardèche Nature Reserve.
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 Vallon Pont d'Arc : Loulou Bateaux
Passage de la première Armée, 07150 Vallon Pont d’Arc. GPS : 44°23’51.3″N 4°23’20.0″E