Kayaking in the Ardèche

The descent of the Gorges de l'Ardèche is one of Europe's great paddling trips and, remarkably, one of its most accessible: 32 kilometres of clear green river winding through a 300-metre limestone canyon, beginning under the extraordinary Pont d'Arc, a natural stone arch the river carved for itself.

Over two unhurried days you drift between towering cliffs, ride easy rapids, swim in turquoise pools and camp on a wild bivouac beach in the heart of the gorge with no road access.

It is gentle enough for families and first-timers yet feels genuinely adventurous, a proper multi-day journey through protected wilderness that most people manage in a stable open canoe with nothing more than a paddle and a dry bag.

Few trips combine so much beauty and sense of expedition with so little required skill.

Mostly flat, flowing water broken by small, splashy rapids (class I–II) that are fun rather than frightening, paddled in a stable two-person canoe or sit-on-top kayak. The classic trip is 32 kilometres over two days, camping midway at a designated bivouac beach reachable only by river.

You do the paddling yourself, so expect tired arms and the odd capsize in the rapids, but the technical demands are low and the current does much of the work. Summer water is warm and swimmable; spring can be higher and pushier.

The main things to manage are sun exposure in the open canyon, keeping your kit dry, and the logistics of an overnight with no shops downstream. It is a relaxed, joyful adventure suitable for children who can swim.

Paddle from April to September; spring has livelier water and fewer crowds, high summer is warm but busy and best avoided at peak weekends. Rent a canoe from one of the licensed operators at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, who provide buoyancy aids, barrels for your gear and a shuttle back from the finish.

For the full 32-kilometre gorge you must book a pitch at the regulated bivouac area in advance, as overnight numbers are capped to protect the reserve. Everyone should be able to swim and must wear the buoyancy aid on the water.

Pack sun protection, plenty of water, shoes that can get wet and a dry bag for essentials. A one-day 8-kilometre version is ideal for young families or nervous beginners.