We have been traveling to the Ardeche in the south of France and camping as a family of four for a number of years. So I thought I would add it here as a suggested destination and give some idea of what it all costs.
The Ardeche region in France is a protected area which the public are allowed to access (with certain restrictions - No fires, no wild camping, no picking flowers and no litter). The gorge itself is breath taking and offers the opportunity for excellent canoeing. Since the area is very popular there are a lot of companies offering canoe rental at competitive rates.
Compared to other courses offered by well known companies at 1200 pounds per head (not including travel), two weeks for about 1000 Euro for four isn't bad.
For the practicalities;
Camp sites: The best plan is to camp close to Vallon Pont d'Arc as the stretch that you normally canoe lies between there and St Martin d'Ardeche, 30 odd km downstream. There are lots of sites to choose from but it's always pretty full in peak season so it's best to book in advance. The sites closest to Vallon tend to be for the English, Germans and Dutch and have fancy pools etc and are everything I dislike about campsites. The best sites in my opinion are the more modest ones from Pont d'Arc down that are on the bank of the river and in amongst the trees. We always use the same site which also runs a canoe rental operation. I haven't tried them all so I can't say which is best but it's clean and we know them, they know us, you know how it is. We always like to camp close to the river to get the best view and it's easy to get down and mess about in the water. As the water is fast moving and full of fish mosquitoes don't seem to be to much of a problem. If you're going to cook it has to be gas, no fires are allowed and that includes charcoal BBQ's.
The price of the site is 19 Euro for 2 people per day and 1 car, with an extra 8 Euro per person over 7. Electricity is also available for 3.50 Euro per day. We use a caravan, not very bushcrafty I know but much easier if you have the wife and kids with you. Also has the advantage of not getting flooded when it rains (and believe me it knows how to rain there). Most people take small tents but there is opportunity to use tarps as there are plenty of trees around, best to take a pole or two though just in case the tree is in the wrong place.
The link for the site we use is http://www.camping-camp-des-gorges.com/uk/camping.htm
Canoeing: Most companies offer three options for canoeing 7km and 25km in one day or 32km in two days. For all the options the company will take you by bus in the morning to the start and collect you from the end. For those wanting to do the 2 day trip you have to arrange a place at one of the two small sites in the gorge in advance. It costs something like 8 Euro per person per night. There are really three sites but one of them is a naturist site so probably not everyones cup of tea
. The rapids themselves are pretty easy and you will kind of pick up the jist of canoeing on the way down. There is not much given in the way of training but it's not that hard. Being able to swim is a absolute must.
Cost of the canoeing is 15 Euro for the 7km, 25 Euro for 25km and 35 Euro for the 32km. The price includes (apart from the canoe) a life jacket, loan a water proof barrel, bus trip and a handy piece of string to hold your glasses on. Helmets are also available but you will be instantly identifiable as English should you choose to wear one. The weather can be very hot or raining, windy and cold and can change in an hour so take a hat, sunscreen and a light waterproof, plus food and water.
Traveling: We drive down from where we live just outside Brussels, it's about a 1000km each way and about 12hours including stops so for us about 100 liters of fuel each way and 56.70 Euro in tolls with a caravan. It's less if your in a normal car but keep it under 2 meters tall to fit through the fast tolls. If your coming over from the UK Norfolk line is about the cheapest at 21.50 Euro each way. Or you can fly down with Ryan Air which is pretty cheap.
Other stuff: There is plenty to do in the region after you have recovered from your canoe trip. It's France so the food and wine is good and not expensive. A trip to Vallon in the evening at the weekend is worth while.
Hope someone finds this helpful. I would post a few pics but haven't worked out how to do that yet
The Ardeche region in France is a protected area which the public are allowed to access (with certain restrictions - No fires, no wild camping, no picking flowers and no litter). The gorge itself is breath taking and offers the opportunity for excellent canoeing. Since the area is very popular there are a lot of companies offering canoe rental at competitive rates.
Compared to other courses offered by well known companies at 1200 pounds per head (not including travel), two weeks for about 1000 Euro for four isn't bad.
For the practicalities;
Camp sites: The best plan is to camp close to Vallon Pont d'Arc as the stretch that you normally canoe lies between there and St Martin d'Ardeche, 30 odd km downstream. There are lots of sites to choose from but it's always pretty full in peak season so it's best to book in advance. The sites closest to Vallon tend to be for the English, Germans and Dutch and have fancy pools etc and are everything I dislike about campsites. The best sites in my opinion are the more modest ones from Pont d'Arc down that are on the bank of the river and in amongst the trees. We always use the same site which also runs a canoe rental operation. I haven't tried them all so I can't say which is best but it's clean and we know them, they know us, you know how it is. We always like to camp close to the river to get the best view and it's easy to get down and mess about in the water. As the water is fast moving and full of fish mosquitoes don't seem to be to much of a problem. If you're going to cook it has to be gas, no fires are allowed and that includes charcoal BBQ's.
The price of the site is 19 Euro for 2 people per day and 1 car, with an extra 8 Euro per person over 7. Electricity is also available for 3.50 Euro per day. We use a caravan, not very bushcrafty I know but much easier if you have the wife and kids with you. Also has the advantage of not getting flooded when it rains (and believe me it knows how to rain there). Most people take small tents but there is opportunity to use tarps as there are plenty of trees around, best to take a pole or two though just in case the tree is in the wrong place.
The link for the site we use is http://www.camping-camp-des-gorges.com/uk/camping.htm
Canoeing: Most companies offer three options for canoeing 7km and 25km in one day or 32km in two days. For all the options the company will take you by bus in the morning to the start and collect you from the end. For those wanting to do the 2 day trip you have to arrange a place at one of the two small sites in the gorge in advance. It costs something like 8 Euro per person per night. There are really three sites but one of them is a naturist site so probably not everyones cup of tea
. The rapids themselves are pretty easy and you will kind of pick up the jist of canoeing on the way down. There is not much given in the way of training but it's not that hard. Being able to swim is a absolute must.Cost of the canoeing is 15 Euro for the 7km, 25 Euro for 25km and 35 Euro for the 32km. The price includes (apart from the canoe) a life jacket, loan a water proof barrel, bus trip and a handy piece of string to hold your glasses on. Helmets are also available but you will be instantly identifiable as English should you choose to wear one. The weather can be very hot or raining, windy and cold and can change in an hour so take a hat, sunscreen and a light waterproof, plus food and water.
Traveling: We drive down from where we live just outside Brussels, it's about a 1000km each way and about 12hours including stops so for us about 100 liters of fuel each way and 56.70 Euro in tolls with a caravan. It's less if your in a normal car but keep it under 2 meters tall to fit through the fast tolls. If your coming over from the UK Norfolk line is about the cheapest at 21.50 Euro each way. Or you can fly down with Ryan Air which is pretty cheap.
Other stuff: There is plenty to do in the region after you have recovered from your canoe trip. It's France so the food and wine is good and not expensive. A trip to Vallon in the evening at the weekend is worth while.
Hope someone finds this helpful. I would post a few pics but haven't worked out how to do that yet
