{"id":2534,"date":"2024-03-21T13:44:30","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.islacooldouce.fr\/descente-canoe-ardeche\/"},"modified":"2025-03-31T16:16:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:16:17","slug":"the-canoe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.islacooldouce.fr\/en\/the-canoe\/","title":{"rendered":"The Canoe"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/i>2 Canoe descents of the Ard\u00e8che, upstream of the GorgesCanoeing in the Ard\u00e8che: The must-do activity for an unforgettable memory.<\/span><\/h1><\/div>

I found the best offer for canoeing: a little structure, with a family approach, they\u2019re real pros, and it\u2019s a Super Formula!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

To discover or just for pleasure, this outdoor activity<\/strong> is adapted to all profiles: rooky or experienced, alone or double, with family<\/strong> or in group<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Let yourself seduce by this part of the river, upstream<\/strong> of the Gorges de l\u2019Ard\u00e8che<\/strong>, away from the crowdy touristics flows of Vallon Pont d\u2019Arc, in the wild and preserved nature<\/strong>, reveiling all the fauna and flora<\/strong> of this biodiversity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Maybe you will have the chance during your descent to observe the grey heron<\/strong> chasing his prey in the water, a falcon or a Bonelli eagle<\/strong> hovering in the sky, or even tease a trout <\/strong>or a carp<\/strong> with your peddle!<\/p>\n

You will also enjoy the magnificent view of the medieval village Balazuc<\/strong>, classified as ‘most beautiful village of France’.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

You are navigating on your own<\/strong>, free from all stress (no time pressure<\/strong>): you can stop<\/strong> whenever you want to take a swim<\/strong> or to enjoy the beautiful wild beaches<\/strong> underway, have a picnic<\/strong> or take some pictures<\/strong>, before you peddle back at ease to the beach<\/strong>, where you parked your car.<\/p>\n

For your security<\/strong>, the practice of canoeing<\/strong> is regulated by law in the Ard\u00e8che<\/strong> (eg. under 7 yrs old and during fluds it’s forbidden). The water levels<\/strong> are being managed by different dams<\/strong> upstream so there’s enough water<\/strong> for nautical sports during summer. Of course, mother nature is ruling and you’ll have fluctuating water levels all along the season (April-September), depending on the weather.<\/p>\n

In order to have a better preparation for your trip, we kindly advise you to reserve<\/strong> your activity in advance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Canoeing<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Canoeing<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Canoeing<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/path><\/svg><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Discover the 2 trips<\/h2><\/div>

Isla Cool Douce proposes two descents<\/strong>, accessible for the whole family<\/strong>
\n(requirement: 7 years old AND being able to swim):<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The “Cool Douce”<\/strong> descent<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n<\/i> 8 km<\/span>\n<\/i> 2-3 h<\/span>\n<\/div>
\"Canoeing<\/span><\/div>
<\/div>
The descent in detail<\/span><\/a><\/div>
I book my descent<\/span><\/a><\/div>

The Cool Douce: 8 km \/ 2-3h
\n(from Balazuc to Chauzon)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

“The Sportive”<\/strong> descent<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n<\/i> 12 km<\/span>\n<\/i> 3-4 h<\/span>\n<\/div>
\"Canoeing<\/span><\/div>
<\/div>
The descent in detail<\/span><\/a><\/div>
I book my descent<\/span><\/a><\/div>

The Sportive: 12 km \/ 3-4h
\n(from Lanas to Chauzon)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

The departure is per Landrover Defender, navigating back<\/strong> to the beach of Isla Cool Douce<\/strong>, located in the meander of the river Ard\u00e8che juste before the Cirque de Gens<\/strong>, offering you a wonderful view<\/strong> on the limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n

With organisation<\/strong> and our equipment<\/strong> we are able to deal with large groups<\/strong> and we can handle simultaneous departures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/i>If you would like to be accompanied by a guide<\/strong>, please contact us<\/a><\/span> as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div>

Video descents<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/i>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/path><\/svg><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The adventure starts at Isla<\/h2><\/div>

We meet at the nautic base Isla Cool Douce<\/strong> in Chauzon<\/strong>. Our professional team<\/strong> will take care of you in your native language<\/strong> (our team manages Dutch, English, German, Spanish and French of course). Parking spots<\/strong> are available in the park for your comfort.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Landrover Defender transport: an exclusivity!<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Land<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

You will be taken to your departure for your descent in a 4×4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We have a whole fleet of Landrover Defenders at your disposal.<\/p>\n

This is the start of your adventure<\/strong>: in groups of 8 people and your driver, you will pass by scrubland and vineyards<\/strong> of the Ard\u00e8che, in order to get to your departure zone.<\/p>\n

A unique southern landscape will reveil itself to you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Isla Formula = Canoe descent + Recreational park + a free drink: Unique in the Ard\u00e8che!<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A good plan<\/span>
\nEnjoy the beach and the acitivities before or after your canoe trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During summer, we offer the possibility for the little ones (-7yrs old) to enjoy themselves on a canoe (accompanied by an adult) on the watersurface in front of the lifeguards, while they’re waiting for the rest of the group descending the Ard\u00e8che.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Top of the bill<\/span>A well deserved free drink after your descent!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Upstream descent: the mini Gorges de l\u2019Ard\u00e8che<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The two proposed trips offer you a wide diversity of landscapes<\/strong>: the medieval village of Balazuc<\/strong>, 2 bridges (Balazuc and Pradons<\/strong>), a few easy rapids, and a passage in the forest<\/strong> that will remind you of a mangrove!<\/p>\n

A changing pace, a lot of variety and playful<\/strong>, this is how you will discover the mini Gorges<\/strong>. It can be done on half a day<\/strong> of for the whole day<\/strong>. Take your picnic with you and enjoy the swimming spots<\/strong> and the wonderful landscapes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Top of the bill<\/span>2 descents with great variety<\/strong>
\njust long enough but not too long (ther are no long strokes)!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/div><\/div>

Our strong points<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Canoeing<\/strong> is a family activity<\/strong>. Can be done without extra training (a good physical condition<\/strong> and being able to swim<\/strong> are sufficient)<\/p>\n

A good dose of adventure, happiness and adrenaline on an \u00ab\u00a0easy\u00a0\u00bb trip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Land<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Top of the bill<\/span>Nice and easy back to the beach:<\/strong>
\nleave your canoe to our team and enjoy the beach, take a free fresh drink thanks to the Isla formula!
\nNo boring waiting on a rock for the bus to take you back. You\u2019re in paradise.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/div><\/div>

The material<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our canoes are \u00ab\u00a0sit on top\u00a0\u00bb models<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can navigate alone in a kayak<\/strong> or in a double canoe<\/strong> for 2 or 3 spots. (for your comfort, the third person has to be under 10 years and not too heavy in order to avoid overweight in the canoe)<\/p>\n

Each one of you gets a peddle and a waterproof container <\/strong>(50L) for your personnal belongings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Please take the essential with you in order to avoid overweight.<\/p>\n

For your security, we have helmets<\/strong> at your disposal (not obliged).<\/p>\n

Wearing a life jacket<\/strong> is mandatory, you may be controlled during your descent.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The<\/span><\/div>
<\/div>

Advice of the team<\/p>\n<\/div>

In order to fully enjoy this experience, we recommend to depart in the morning (9.30 or 11 am)<\/strong>, take a picnic with you, take your time to feel and enjoy the river.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A practical guide: \u00ab For a successful Canoe trip \u00bb<\/h3><\/div>