Get paddling on a family white-water challenge

21 May 2016 08:58 by Sam Taylor

Treat the kids to some high-adrenaline waterborne action in France. Described as ‘the ultimate family white-water canoeing adventure’, the holiday features a thrilling two-day canoe descent of the spectacular Ardèche gorge. 

Family Adventure Holidays: 01273 803030
www.familyadventureholidays.com

For families with children aged eight years and over, the seven-night Ardèche Adventure promises a truly exhilarating experience. No experience is necessary, with highly-qualified and experienced English-speaking instructors ensuring everyone’s safety at all times.

Canoes tackle a total of 22 rapids and the famous natural stone Pont D’Arc bridge on the Ardèche river as they descend through the magnificent limestone gorge which rises up to 1,000ft in places. A night is spent under canvas at a bivouac site deep in the heart of the gorge where families enjoy a sociable barbecue together in the evening and a hearty breakfast of pancakes next morning before tackling the second day’s challenging canoeing.

Also included in the fun-packed activity programme for adults and children is a high ropes course up in the pine forests of Villefort, a day’s climbing and abseiling in the Chassezac gorge, and weaselling in the region’s limestone cliffs. Families can catch their breath on relaxing visits to beaches, and the last day of the week is spent on a guided tour of one of the world’s most impressive caves at Aven d’Orgnac. Nothing is compulsory and there is a flexible choice of activities, with the emphasis on families making friends and having fun together.

Holidays are available from July 19 to September 13 and include all professionally-instructed activities and self-catering accommodation in mobile homes on a three-star campsite set among vineyards in the low mountains of the Cervenne, near Lablachere. Tents, equipment and food are provided on the bivouac night. The seven-night price for adults and children is £448 from July 19 to August 22, and £348 from August 23 to September 13 (based on a family of four sharing a mobile home). Travel is not included, leaving families free to arrange their own transport or combine the activity week with a longer stay in France.