Canoeing in the Chassezac Gorge

CCC-CANOE

07140 Les Assions (Ardèche)

April to October

Accessible to all

The Chassezac is the ideal river for relaxation and leisure.

Descending from the canyons of Lozère, this main tributary of theArdèche meanders through a vast valley before plunging into magnificent gorges to cross the limestone massif of the Bois de Païolive for 10 kilometers. It then flows across the plain before joining its illustrious neighbor, theArdèche.

Canoe and kayak rental rates on the Chassezac : free paddling and open water

In the heart of the Chassezac gorges, two routes are available to you, 7 and 10 kilometers, determined by the only possibilities for leaving the gorges.

The time you spend on the water is at your leisure. This allows you to choose the pace of your sailing.

Example with the La Molette > Mazet route of 7 km:

Departure 10am, arrival 12:30pm at Mazet = 1/2 hour break.
Departure 10am, arrival 4pm at Mazet = 2 hours of navigation, 2 one-hour swimming breaks, one hour for picnic and one hour for strolling or sunbathing.

At the start, we offer you a choice of several return times, and upon arrival, we'll take you back up in a minibus. This is an opportunity to enjoy the driver's commentary as you pass by the picturesque sites.

Book on the rental company's website
[LES VANS La Molette – MAZET] 7 km – 2h

€22 per person in a 2-person canoe;
€28 per person in a 1-person kayak;
€25 per person in a 2-person comfort canoe;
€31 per person in a 1-person comfort kayak;
€5 per child (7-10 years old) as a 3rd passenger

This is the ideal route to discover this fun activity, taking in most of the gorges, its beaches, and other natural diving spots.
Half a day, or two hours of paddling, is enough to cover this distance, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and take breaks whenever you feel like it.

Book on the rental company's website by CCC-Canoe
Book on the rental company's website
[LES VANS – CHAULET] 10 km – 3h

€23 per person in a 2-person canoe;
€30 per person in a 1-person kayak;
€26 per person in a 2-person comfort canoe;
€33 per person in a 1-person comfort kayak;
€5 per child (7-10 years old) as a 3rd passenger

Gorge Chassezac and follow in the footsteps of early humans. The final stretch, with its majestic cliffs, reinforces the feeling of being in an exceptional location.
It's also an opportunity to find a quiet spot for a picnic and a nap. This less frequented section allows you to enjoy the peace and serenity of this place, even in peak season.
A day for three hours of paddling is just enough time for a picnic and to fully enjoy swimming and the scenery.

Book on the rental company's website by CCC-Canoe
Contact the rental company
Hourly rentals on the lake LES VANS La Molette

2-person canoe : 14 €/h
Kayak 1 person. : 10 €/h
Stand-up paddle: 10 €/h
Inflatable stand-up paddle: 13 €/h

With family, friends, or even the little ones, discover the joys of watersports! Canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding—choose your craft and enjoy a relaxing and fun-filled afternoon on our lake.
Our tip : Ideal after 3 pm, take full advantage of the riverside beach and alternate between paddling and swimming for a refreshing afternoon!

Children aged 7 and over. Must know how to swim.

Contact the rental company by CCC-Canoe

Our rates include: Boats with paddles, life jackets, dry bags, and shuttle bus necessary for the activity.
Dogs welcome; dog life jacket rental available upon request.

WHAT IS MANDATORY

Be able to swim at least 25 meters, be able to submerge, be 7 years old and older, be in good physical condition, wear closed shoes, wear the life jacket provided by us.

Nice, cool, and quiet options

Morning

Departing at 9am and returning at 12:30pm, this is a great opportunity to enjoy some canoeing on the river.
It's not too hot in the summer until early afternoon!

Weekend (in season)

The beginning and end of stays mean there are few people on the river, so take advantage of it! Peace and quiet guaranteed.

Dilettante

Find a spot for a picnic, a nap, and a swim.
The first return shuttle is at 3 pm, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon.

Post-nap

For difficult mornings after or long barbecues, from 3pm until 7pm be the last to leave and arrive, sail in peace.

Guided canoe and kayak trips

Book on the rental company's website
Guided descent (from age 5)

€35 per person,
€30 per child (5-10 years old)

Want to discover canoeing safely, improve your skills, or bring your children (ages 5 and up) along? Set off on a guided descent with one of our passionate guides! Throughout the trip, they will introduce you to navigation and help you discover the river's treasures: wildlife, flora, heritage, and local history… An immersive and accessible experience for everyone, where fun and discovery blend seamlessly on the water.

Book on the rental company's website by CCC-Canoe
Contact the rental company
Discover the lake (ages 3 and up) – La Molette

€15 per person,
€10 per third passenger (ages 3-10)

At the end of the day, when the river returns to calm, embark on a gentle adventure with your children aged 3 and up. On the CCC base's lake, introduce them to the joys of canoeing in complete safety and follow in the footsteps of beavers with one of our passionate guides. A special moment for the whole family, filled with exploration and wonder!

Contact the rental company by CCC-Canoe
Contact the rental company
Mini kayak course for ages 7 to 12

The complete package of 3 sessions: €89/child.

Led by a certified canoe-kayak instructor, children discover the joys of paddling in a safe and fun environment. The program includes swimming, laughter, games in the rapids, and exploring the local flora and fauna. With Lydie, learning to kayak becomes an adventure! They discover, they progress, and above all… they have fun! Memories to last a lifetime for these future little river adventurers!

Contact the rental company by CCC-Canoe

Our rates include: Boats with paddles, life jackets, dry bags, and shuttle bus necessary for the activity.
Dogs welcome; dog life jacket rental available upon request.

All services in an exceptional setting

Enjoy the exceptional setting of our La Molette departure point with direct access to the river and beach.
You'll also find a bar/restaurant, changing rooms and restrooms, and a shaded picnic area.
Our private car, motorcycle, and bicycle parking is equipped with two charging stations for electric cars (and bicycles).

Experience and passion

Awestruck by this remarkable river, we have lived and worked in the region for over 20 years . We are committed to sharing our passion for this wild and sensitive natural environment with you.

Attentive to your satisfaction

Depending on your preferences, we will guide you in choosing the most suitable option.
We place the utmost importance on your welcome and satisfaction. To this end, we carefully select our equipment and take particular care in its maintenance and daily cleaning.

Committed to the environment

We are committed to respecting our environment : streamlining transport, sorting waste, recycling equipment, and cleaning up riverbanks.

CCC Canoe labels on the Chassezac in Les Vans

Do you need to know how to swim?

As in many departments, in Ardèche , to rent a boat and navigate the waterways you must be able to swim at least 25 meters and submerge yourself, and be over seven years old.
An instructor can also accompany you.

Can we stop anywhere in the gorges?

Yes, especially since canoeing is the only way to picnic in the gorges.
It's up to you to find your own little slice of paradise for a picnic or a swim.
Please note: while the river is public, the banks are private. The people of Ardèche traditionally welcome visitors to their land with pleasure, so please take care of it!

Should we be worried about storms, rising water levels, or water shortages?

The Chassezac has a number of hydroelectric dams upstream, regulating its flow. While this doesn't prevent the river from experiencing some of the most spectacular floods in theArdèche, the dams mitigate their arrival. Several days of rain are often necessary for a flood to occur, so there's no need to panic!
In summer, the Chassezac flow is regulated in July and August, making navigation pleasant with a sufficient flow rate (2 m³/sec) to navigate all the rapids and maintain good water quality for swimming.
In spring and autumn, the priority is electricity generation. The flow rate varies between 1 m³/sec (no production on weekends) and 9 to 27 m³/sec, depending on production levels. There are no regulations; please contact us for details.

Is it possible to fish in the river?

Yes, provided you have a fishing license (on sale in Les Vans).

Where am I going to park my car or motorcycle?

You can park at our La Molette base, where we are present continuously from 8 am to 9 pm.
A changing room and lockers are available for motorcyclists and cyclists.
Shaded parking spaces are reserved for first-come, first-served!
Our private car, motorcycle, and bicycle parking area is equipped with two charging stations for electric vehicles (and bicycles).

Find all the answers in the FAQ

They share their experience:

Very friendly team, magnificent setting, guaranteed mental escape

Stéphane

Friendly and smiling staff. A descent accessible to all in a magnificent setting. A wonderful afternoon canoeing and swimming in the Chassezac. Impeccable organization!

Gwen Aël

Quick and efficient. The Chassezac descent is accessible to everyone. Allow 3 hours for the 10km route. Numerous jumps along the way, and the option to have a packed lunch on the riverbanks and beaches. A great time to be had. The return is easy: arrive at Chaulet, drop off your gear, and you can have a drink or grab a drink just below.

Yohan Praz

Great introduction to canoeing and kayaking with a fantastic professional guide who introduced us to canoeing and also taught us a lot about nature. We will be back, thank you.

Danielle Vallet

Excellent!! Very friendly, impeccable service, great advice before jumping in the water, a self-guided descent, and a bus ride back to the parking lot. Bonus points: photographer on site and dog-friendly activity with life jacket rentals available. Absolutely top-notch!!

Lina MfkaCompany5

Guiding groups on canoe trips on the Chassezac

CCC at the service of groups

Groups, seminars, associations… Contact us for a quote tailored to your needs.

Our extensive knowledge of the area and all the stakeholders in the sector means you'll find in our team a local point of contact you can rely on to develop your projects.
Accommodation, other activities, and sightseeing are all within our expertise!

Consult us

Also check out: Rafting in the Chassezac gorges

Embark on a friendly family rafting trip, admire the scenery and let yourself be guided…
The raft is steered by a qualified and experienced instructor, allowing you to enjoy the outing in complete safety.

Rafting information on our website

CCC-Canoe

CCC-Canoë, 3737 route des Vans, 07140 Les Assions, France

chassezac

04 75 37 33 60

https://www.ccc-canoe.com/

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04 75 37 33 60