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Camping on the Ardèche river: swimming, canoeing and gorges
Camping on the Ardèche river means a holiday among limestone cliffs, swimming coves and paddling routes. The river is around 125 kilometres long, and its best-known stretch is the Gorges de l'Ardèche with the Pont d'Arc, a rock arch over 60 metres high.
The list below shows campsites in the Ardèche département with a riverside location. To help your planning, here you can find out which paddling routes there are, where supervised swimming is available in summer, which rules apply in the nature reserve and when a trip is especially worthwhile. The region is also worth visiting away from the water: the D290 scenic road and the villages along the river are popular destinations for outings.
Pont d'Arc and the Ardèche gorge
The gorge stretches for around 30 kilometres between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. Its lower part is protected as the Réserve naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche. There, limestone walls rise up to 200 metres.
If you are not paddling, you can explore the gorge on the D290 scenic road, which was built in the 1960s and runs along the edge of the gorge with viewpoints. Most excursions start from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. In summer the road, car parks and put-in points are very busy, so an early start helps. At the Pont d'Arc itself, parking is charged from April to September, and free shuttle buses run from Vallon.
According to Wikivoyage, around 100,000 people paddle through the gorge every year, and the D290 attracts more than 1.2 million visitors.
Canoeing and kayaking on the Ardèche
The classic route runs from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Sauze (around 30 kilometres, about 7 hours). Shorter variants are also available. The middle stretch between Aubenas and Ruoms is calmer, while the upper reaches are white water for experts. Between Ruoms and Vallon the river cannot be navigated because of numerous weirs.
According to Frankreich-Tourismus, the river can be navigated from April to November. For families, high summer is considered suitable because the current is then calmer. The gorge is regulated by prefectoral order; current water levels are shown on Vigicrues. According to operators, paddling is practically never cancelled for lack of water, because four dams provide low-water support.
White-water grades IV to VI characterise the upper reaches, while the middle stretch is grades I to III. Beginners are better off sticking to the usual standard routes of the rental firms.
Swimming: supervised beaches and Blue Flags
Officially supervised swimming spots in the Ardèche are staffed from 1 July to 31 August. In total there are 26 public beaches on the Ardèche, Beaume, Chassezac, Lignon and Borne.
Well-known spots include the sandy beach above and below the Pont d'Arc (supervised in summer), Balazuc and Salavas, each under the bridge, and Saint-Just-d'Ardèche. In Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, three beaches fly the Blue Flag in 2026: Grain de Sel, Pont Cassé and Sauze. Water quality and supervision can be checked on the Ardèche Inf'Eau Plage website. Outside the season and at unsupervised spots, you should be especially careful.
According to one rental firm, water quality is checked regularly by the health authority ARS. Even so, always supervise children.
Rules in the nature reserve
Strict rules apply in the gorge to protect nature and birds. Overnight stays are permitted only at the two bivouac sites, Gaud and Gournier; everywhere else camping or bivouacking is prohibited, including in a vehicle at viewpoints. Bivouac places are limited, so book in good time.
Fires are prohibited.
Dogs must be on a lead and are not allowed in canoes.
Drones, noise (such as loudspeakers) and litter are prohibited.
Fossils, minerals and bones must not be collected.
In the reserve, entry into the gorge is closed from 6 p.m.
Climate, storms and travel season
The Ardèche has a Mediterranean-influenced climate with hot, dry summers. In autumn, so-called Cévenol episodes, meaning violent heavy rain in the uplands, can make rivers rise rapidly. For campers by the bank, this means: heed weather warnings and do not choose a pitch near the water's edge when storms are forecast.
Spring and early autumn are good for walking and paddling outside the main holidays. If you want to use the supervised beaches, plan for July or August. Journey times from Germany depend heavily on the starting point; in the holiday weeks, expect traffic on the roads leading into the valley.
In high summer, wildfire notices must also be observed; in the reserve, fires are prohibited anyway.
What to do: ideas and a day-by-day plan
The Ardèche offers gorges, canoeing, caves and villages along the river. Plan your active water days separately from cave and village visits. Many sights around Vallon-Pont-d'Arc are close together, and the day plans show one possible order for three days.
Nature & landscape
Pont d'Arc1-2 hoursA natural rock arch over the river at the mouth of the gorge, with white limestone cliffs and turquoise water. Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is the most practical base. One day is enough for the arch and the scenic road.
Route des Gorgeshalf a dayA scenic road along the rim of the gorge, around 29 kilometres long, with eleven viewpoints. You can reach the belvederes easily by car, without any hiking.
Cirque de la Madeleine1-2 hoursA striking river bend surrounded by high rock walls, on the route through the gorge. The Grotte de la Madeleine, a cave full of dripstone formations, is right at the same spot.
Vallée du Tiourrehalf a dayA seven-kilometre circular trail through garrigue scrubland with a revived mountain village. Quieter than the gorge and ideal for a relaxed day's walking away from the crowds.
Culture & sights
Balazuc1-2 hoursOfficially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with stone houses stacked on top of one another and pottery workshops. Easy to explore on foot.
Vogüé1-2 hoursAnother of the most beautiful villages in France, with the 15th-century Château de Vogüé and a railway viaduct from 1877 that is now a footpath.
Grotte Chauvet 2half a dayA replica of the Chauvet Cave with 425 drawings and paintings more than 36,000 years old. The guided tour lasts about an hour, plus the Aurignacian Gallery. Allow roughly half a day in total.
Cité de la Préhistoire in Orgnac2-3 hoursA museum covering 350,000 years of human history, with touchscreen games, fire demonstrations and spear throwing. It stands right next to the Aven d'Orgnac.
Active & sports
Canoeing through the gorgefull dayRoutes range from a short six kilometres for beginners to 32 kilometres through the nature reserve. Two days are more comfortable for the long route, with overnight stops at the Gaud and Gournier sites.
Swimming from the gravel beaches1-2 hoursYou can swim in the river in many places, especially at accessible gravel beaches. Watch out for currents and the water level.
Maubois Trail near Orgnac1-2 hoursA walking trail with two variants, of 30 minutes or one hour, starting at the Aven d'Orgnac with information points on the geology of the plateau.
Via cordata and abseiling at Aven d'Orgnachalf a dayA marked course 40 metres up with a zip line, plus abseiling from 50 metres at the natural cave entrance. Guided tours inside the cave must be booked in advance.
With kids
Speleominot at Aven d'Orgnachalf a dayA three-hour programme for children aged 7 to 12 with mini climbing and cave exploration, offered at the Aven d'Orgnac.
Aurignacian Gallery at Chauvet 21-2 hoursAn interactive area with replicas, films and touchscreens about the lives of the cave painters. Children's workshops are offered seasonally.
Cité de la Préhistoire2-3 hoursPlayful stations with fire demonstrations, flint working and throwing practice with replicas bring the Stone Age to life for children.
Walking in the Chauvet 2 forest1-2 hoursThe forest park around Chauvet 2 has a viewpoint and activity areas. A good counterbalance to the guided tour of the replica cave.
When it rains
Aven d'Orgnachalf a dayA cave you descend about 120 metres into, with sound and light effects. The temperature never exceeds 11 degrees, so dress warmly; you return by lift.
Grotte Chauvet 2half a dayA good alternative to canoeing and swimming when the weather is too hot or rainy. Open every day of the year.
Grotte de la Madeleine1-2 hoursA cave with stalactites and stalagmites on the scenic road along the gorge, suitable for hot or rainy days.
Aven Marzal1-2 hoursAnother cave in the region with stalactites and stalagmites, an alternative to Orgnac for a rainy or hot day.
Sample day plans
Day 1: Water and gorge
Morning
Canoe from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc under the Pont d'Arc; beginners can take one of the short routes of around six kilometres.
Afternoon
Swim at a gravel beach, or drive the scenic road with its viewpoints and the Cirque de la Madeleine.
Evening
Head back to the campsite early, rest after the active day and enjoy dinner together.
Day 2: Caves and prehistory
Morning
Visit the Grotte Chauvet 2 near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, with a guided tour of about an hour, followed by a walk through the Aurignacian Gallery.
Afternoon
Drive to the Aven d'Orgnac, descend into the cave and visit the Cité de la Préhistoire. Bring warm clothing for the cool cave.
Evening
A quiet evening at the campsite with regional food and time to recover from the caves.
Day 3: Villages by the river
Morning
Stroll through Vogüé with its château and railway viaduct, then continue to Balazuc for the stone houses and pottery workshops.
Afternoon
Swim in the river or take a walk along the bank between the villages; the Vallée du Tiourre is a quieter alternative.
Evening
Dinner in the village or at the campsite, followed by a walk in the evening sun.
Campsites that match
12 matching campsites in our database, grouped by location.
Ardèche (12)
CAMPING DU LIONBOURG ST ANDEOL · ★★★PoolHunde erlaubtam FlussWi-Fi
According to tourism sources, the season runs from April to November. The gorge is subject to a prefectoral regulation, and current water levels are shown on Vigicrues. You should not start after the entry closure at 6 p.m. Ask the rental firm locally about the rules in force.
How long does the trip from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to Sauze take?
The main route is about 30 kilometres long and takes around 7 hours. Shorter variants are also offered. Allow for breaks and start early so that you are in before the closure at 6 p.m.
Is wild camping allowed in the gorge?
No. Overnight stays are permitted only at the two bivouac sites, Gaud and Gournier, which you should book in good time. Fires are prohibited in the reserve, and sleeping in a vehicle at viewpoints is also not allowed.
Where are there supervised swimming spots?
Between 1 July and 31 August, the beach at the Pont d'Arc, Balazuc and Salavas, among others, are supervised. In Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, three beaches have the Blue Flag in 2026. Current information is available from Ardèche Inf'Eau Plage.
What does flood risk mean on the Ardèche?
After heavy rain in the uplands, especially in autumn, rivers can rise quickly. Heed weather warnings, water-level readings and the campsite management's instructions, and do not store equipment by the bank when storms are forecast.
