Water sports and leisure activities Ardèche

This nautical base offers you canoes or kayaks for a descent of the Ardèche with or without a guide, from half a day to two days with courses from 8 to 32 km. La Petite Mer will spoil you: map of the descent of the gorges, packed lunch (on reservation), possibility of picnic on the base, swimming on the spot, coffee at the start, refreshments on the way back, rental of wetsuits, shoes and tents. And when Gino accompanies you, he offers you a different view of the caves, the bays, the springs, the fauna and flora.

I especially like this canoe rental company, which is very attentive to its customers. The reception of these ladies is adorable - even when it is crowded! -the advice is always precious, the equipment is reliable and robust. All the descents are possible: mini-descent of 6 kilometers, descent of 24 kilometers in one day, descent of 30 kilometers in one or two days and maxi-descent of 60 kilometers in three days with more technical passages of toboggan. A safe address for descents in the best conditions.

This artificial water reservoir, for recreational purposes, follows the construction of an earthen dam 200 m long and about 20 m high. It was put in water in 1975 on the site of peat bogs and former marshy meadows fed by the springs of the Eyrieux. This 50 ha lake is today an ecosystem of great biodiversity. In summer, the leisure center offers many nautical, sports and educational activities: sailing school, fishing, horse-drawn carriage rides, nature trail... Camping on site.

You have to go a little way from Lamastre to reach this leisure center below the village. There are tables for comfortable meals. Swimming is very pleasant in cool, clear water, even if access to the water via the rocks is sometimes tricky. On-site sanitary facilities and a snack bar mean you can spend a whole day listening to the murmur of the Doux. A popular spot in summer. Nearby, a campsite is ideal for short and long stays, and there are numerous walks such as the one to the ruins of Retourtour.

A beautiful beach of blond sand opening onto a body of water of a unique indigo color, surrounded by forest and with the rounded mountains of the Ardèche plateau as a backdrop... This is the promise of the Issarlès lake, very popular in summer. Pedal boats, windsurfing boards, water games and a supervised beach are all available to make your day or stay at the lake an enchantment. For those who don't fancy a swim, there are well-maintained paths (parcours de santé) around the lake to keep you out of the heat.

The Plan d'Eau du Duzon is especially lively in summer, during the festivities organized there in July. Swimming is not permitted. However, many local residents and tourists enjoy the refreshing waters of the Duzon river. Parents can relax in the shade of the poplars or in the warm sunshine, while children can enjoy the playground. There are picnic tables, a parking lot, public toilets, a volleyball court and, from June to September, a fast-food restaurant.

Below the pretty village of Saint-Martial, isolated in the mountains on the edge of the Ardèche plateau, this artificial lake not only enjoys an enchanting location, but is also very well equipped. The 2-hectare lake is more intimate than impressive. The beach and activity base, as well as the campsite and picnic area, are on the opposite side of the lake from the road, and can be reached via small paths that also make for a pleasant stroll. It will take you about an hour to walk around the lake.

Built on the Ay river, this green water body depends on a river whose level is not always... up to the mark and whose cleanliness is sometimes random depending on the heavy rainfall. But it's rare that the water is dry! Here is a privileged place of relaxation and leisure to refresh yourself in a pure wave. The site is home to a municipal campsite which completes the village's accommodation offer. A corner of wild nature ideal to recover the time of the holidays of the urban stress! Supervised swimming in summer.

Book a day, a weekend or a week and try out all the activities on offer at this water sports center. You'll benefit from over 20 years' experience in canoeing and kayaking. A fleet unique in the Ardèche, with 600 polyethylene boats, regularly renewed and courses ranging from 5 km to 36 km. The base also offers a wide range of equipment for sale - both used and new. Buses ensure your return.

Summer and winter alike, the village of Astet offers many recreational options. In summer, kayakers enjoy the wild river punctuated by rapids. In winter, Nordic skiers take over, plying the 14 cross-country ski trails ranging from 1 to 20 km. Snowshoeing is also in the spotlight, with 9 circuits. There's also a toboggan run, a groomed pedestrian trail and a play area. Equipment available for hire on site.

The Ardèche, one of the largest sports and discovery fields in the nature of France. To discover all the facets, a professional who takes us safely practice canyoning in the canyons of Haut-Chassezac and High-Borne, caving in a rich area and via corda in the Chassezac gorges. Ambience and thrills guaranteed!

Surprisingly few lakes dot the mountains of the Ardèche. The few you do find are man-made. Such is the case with this lake, situated at an altitude of some 1,000 metres, which is a welcome refreshing stopover in summer. Swimming is supervised from mid-July to the end of August. The beach is equipped with a slide and water jets for children. Other services include a snack bar and various boat rentals (pedal boats and canoes). There's also a camper van park just a few steps from the lakeside.

André-Noël, Guilhem, Benjamin, Julien, alias the intraterrestrials, have been opening the doors to adventure in the Ardèche since 1988, competent instructors for thrills without the risks. You can explore the caves of the Ardèche - beware, never venture into them alone! You can also try canyoning, kayaking, via ferrata, climbing and hiking. An intimate way to discover the Ardèche with enthusiasts who know the terrain inside out. The intraterrestrials will even accompany you in the extreme: bungee jumping.

White water version, there is not only the Ardèche in Ardèche. There is also the Chassezac and the CCC, the company that allows you to paddle on this charming river. Between 2h and 3h of navigation depending on the route. You have the choice of boats, canoe, kayak, rafting. A shuttle bus ensures your return. It is imperative to know how to swim. On your way, many swimming points with magnificent beaches and wild nature landscapes of any beauty.

This inter-communal aquatic center is a godsend for both local residents and tourists. La Perle d'eau is much more than a swimming pool, it is also an ecologically correct structure: without chlorine (with ozone), with a mixed wood-solar heating and a water management with recycling. La Perle d'eau includes water games but also a fitness and relaxation area with hammam, sauna, whirlpool bath and massages. The opportunity to spend a day with the family.

Joyeuse is a town in the Ardèche region, known for its sports and adventure activities. GECCO Aventure specializes in adventure sports and offers a variety of activities including climbing, via corda, caving and via ferrata. GECCO Aventure is highly rated by visitors, with a score of 4.9/5.

If, like many visitors, you find yourself in this part of the Ardèche on a scorching hot summer's day, you'll be delighted to find the coolness of this landscaped lake. In a very natural setting on the banks of the Saliouse and Eyieux rivers, it offers a sandy beach, numerous activities for the whole family, a waterslide and a picnic area. It is located just opposite the town's campsite. Supervised swimming in summer.

Would you like to run a 24 km course on the water, in the heart of a magnificent wilderness? And what's more, it's quite unusual. The brotherhood of boatmen offers you to embark on a traditional wooden flat-bottomed boat to reconnect with the past and to discover a forgotten profession and a preserved biotope. You will live a unique experience and the boatmen who lead you will tell you the history of the river. Bring your own picnic.