Known as the Grand Canyon of Europe, the gorges of the Ardèche in Southern France provide the spectacular backdrop to our riverside family adventure holiday.
If you believe that the best holidays are those where your family can try new things, learn new skills, experience local culture and make new friends, then this riverside adventure is for you.
Our NEW Ardeche activity programme takes place on the banks of the famous 35km Ardeche River in the south of France, surrounded by stunning scenery and a beautiful limestone gorge.
All adventure activities, including the 2-day kayak downriver expedition, are led by our English-speaking instructors and are included in the cost of the holiday. Accommodation and some meals (on the expedition) are also included - you just need to organise your own transport to the Ardeche.
The holiday is perfect for adventure-seekers aged 7 years and over with a fun-packed itinerary that includes kayaking, paddle boarding and river swimming, a guided trek, high ropes course, and visits to the Avon Orgnac Cave and local market. It is a really memorable experience for families to share together. With a select number of families per week, this riverside adventure is the perfect chance to reconnect with your family and form friendships with like-minded adventurers.
Accommodation is in beautiful Safari Lodges with a covered terrace and outdoor lounge area with a bathroom or a charming yurt with terrace and use of the communal facilities.
You will need a car to drive to the site where the activities take place.
Self-catering at Camping Mille Etoiles which is a 10-minute drive from our base (Base du Cros) on the Ardeche river where the water-based activities will start.
We have 4 safari lodges with private facilities and 2 yurts, using communal facilities. Each lodge or yurt has its own fridge, cooker, coffee machine and terrace.
The campsite has a small shop, restaurant, and bar. Bedding can be hired from the campsite for €10 per bed.
The well-equipped site has a restaurant, shop, laundry facilities and there is also an on-site beautician offering massages and facials.
This riverside Ardeche adventure includes a fantastic programme of activities to appeal to the whole family, and is suitable for family adventurers aged 7 and over.
Our fun-packed family holiday is based in and around the stunning Ardeche Gorge, described as the Grand Canyon of Europe, where our professional instructors offer a full programme of activities. You will have the chance to swim in the river, try high ropes, paddle boarding and kayaking. We also offer a guided French Resistance trek, as well as organised visits to the Vallon market and Orgnac cave.
Our English-speaking instructors will take your family on two full-day guided kayak trips along the Ardeche river, providing a unique perspective on the natural beauty of the Ardeche Gorge. One of the highlights of the river kayak trip is a paddle through the must-see Pont d'Arc - a huge natural bridge 54 metres wide and 60 metres wide - that spins this mighty river.
Although we are happy to keep you occupied, our programme is not compulsory. There are plenty of other options such as bike tours, canyoning and horse-riding to name but a few, as well as many interesting places to visit if you wish to take some time out with your family.
During your time on the river you will begin to appreciate the magnitude and beauty of the Ardeche. As wells as negotiating the many rapids along the way, you’ll have time to swim and lunch is provided on the river’s edge, all under the watchful eyes of our experienced and qualified instructors who will help you to navigate your journey.
Paddle boarding can be traced back to the 1940s when surf instructors in Hawai would stand on surfboards to watch their students. Today boards are used for fun and exercise both of which you will find in abundance with our instructors on the Ardeche river.
You’ll spend a whole day at the high ropes course in Villefort. This is a fantastic day of zip lines and high rope challenges, where you can fly through trees safe in the knowledge that you and your kids are harnessed and in the hands of professionals. See if you can get through all five courses and keep up with the kids! Full safety equipment is provided and our instructors are always on hand to make sure you stick to the strict safety requirements. With courses of varying levels there is always something to challenge everyone!
The address of the campsite where the Safari Lodges and Yurts are located:
Camping Mille Etoiles
4089 route du Mas de Serret – 07150
Labastide-de-Virac
France
Our Ardeche Programme is a self-drive Adventure Holiday that requires you to drive to most activities. Many of our families opt to self-drive via a ferry channel crossing or Eurotunnel. Calais to La Blachere is approximately 970 km and will take approximately 9 hours to drive and cost approximately €85 in tolls. The nearest airports are Nimes or Marseille.
There are a number of operators to choose from, duration, cost and comfort are all factors you may want to consider so our advice is to contact operators directly to find the right option for you.
The Ardeche is within two hours from airports and train stations where car hire is readily available.
Prices include all accommodation, supervised activities, equipment and tuition—plus lunch on the two kayak days and a farewell BBQ on the Friday evening (the rest of the holiday is self-catered).
Staying in a Safari Lodge with private facilities
Staying in a Yurt with communal facilities
The campsite requests a damage deposit of €200 and cleaning deposit of €150 which is returnable upon departure, both payable direct to the campsite on arrival. Bedding can be hired from the campsite for €10 per bed.
This is a self-drive holiday and travel is not included in the quoted price. Contact us for recommended travel options.
Secure this holiday with a £50 deposit per person.
Leave a few details for our holiday expert Lisa so we can start planning your family adventure!
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