From Vallon Pont d'Arc to Sauze in two days, programme cool n°1.
Distance : 30 Km
Time to paddle : about 7h00.
Day 1 : 5h30 à 6h00 (descent from Châmes to Sauze).
Day 2 : 1h30 (descent from Vallon Pont d’Arc to Chames).
Meeting point : Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Departure time :
Day 1 : 8:30am, 9am, 9:30am, 10:00am (meeting half a hour in advance).
Day 2 : from 9am until 4pm.
Difficulties : Succession of water bodies and rapids (7 rapids class III, 25 rapids class II)
Start : day 1 : Chames, day 2 : Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Arrival : day 1 : Sauze, day 2 : Chames.
The Ardeche Canyon in two days, overnight stay in your accommodation
Offer for those who want to discover the Grand Descent across the Ardeche Canyon in two days but don’t like to sleep in a tent. The first day you cross the Natural Reserve « Les Gorges de l’Ardeche » from Chames to Sauze (24 km). The second day you explore a river from Vallon Pont d’Arc to Chames (7 km, with passage through the Pont d’Arc). This is a nice choice for a family with children and for those who do not want carry a lot of baggage in a boat.
Descriptif :
Two days of canoeing in the heart of nature, making the entire descent from Vallon Pont d’Arc to Sauze, without bivouac. This is possible by combining two programs, descent n ° 3 on the first day and descent n ° 1 on the second day. So you go on the river taking the minimum equipment and in the evening you return to the accommodation you have chosen.
On the first day, the meeting point is at Vallon Pont d’Arc and the bus will transport you to the boarding point in Chames. A little after the start you enter the Natural Reserve of the Gorges de l’Ardèche. From that moment you are in the middle of nature. The river is bordered on both sides by cliffs that can reach two hundred meters. Throughout the day you cross rapids and bodies of water. A multitude of beaches can accommodate you for a picnic, a swim or simply to take the time to contemplate the wonderful Gorges de l’Ardèche.
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 Sauze, where your bus will be waiting for you to get you back to Vallon Pont d’Arc.
On the second day you can start at an hour convenient to you (between 9am and 4pm). This part is short but very interesting, with a succession of bodies of water and rapids (including the famous Charlemagne rapid) and the Pont d’Arc, which you will spend about 30 minutes before arriving in Chames. Then you return to Vallon Pont d’Arc by bus.
Our opinion :
We recommend this descent to those who do not want to bivouac, but want to take the time to discover the Gorges de l’Ardèche.
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