The Ardèche gorges season runs from spring to the end of summer, when the river is low, calm and accessible according to Wikipedia. July and August bring the crowds: the village's population grows tenfold and more than 100,000 people paddle down the gorges each year. June and September are the best compromise. In autumn, the Cévennes rains can cause violent floods, during which the descent is banned by prefectural order. Chauvet Cave 2 is open all year.
Key facts
- Canoeing: spring to the end of summer, low and calm river.
- July-August: peak crowds, village population grows tenfold.
- Autumn: possible Cévennes floods, descent banned by prefectural order during floods.
- Summer: stoves banned at the bivouacs from 1 July to 30 September.
Season by season
| Period | The river | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | calm, accessible | some hire companies open from March |
| July-August | low, very busy | crowds, stoves banned at bivouacs, book everything |
| September | still navigable | fewer people, stoves banned until the 30th |
| Autumn | risk of Cévennes floods | descent banned during floods |
| Winter | off season | Chauvet Cave 2 open, quiet village |
Sources: Wikipedia, Ardèche Gorges joint authority, Ardèche Guide.
Summer
According to Wikipedia, the village, quiet in winter, sees its population grow tenfold in summer. The river is low and calm, ideal for a first descent, but the beaches and bivouacs fill up: book your canoe, bivouac and accommodation in advance. From 1 July to 30 September, stoves are banned at the bivouacs.
Autumn and floods
The autumn Cévennes rains can make the Ardèche rise suddenly: to more than 7,000 m³ per second, with no possible regulation. The descent is then banned by prefectural order. Check with your hire company the day before.
Out of season
Chauvet Cave 2 is open all year, as are the trails. It is the time to drive the gorges road without traffic jams.
Book a trip
This season's trips
Mini-descent of the Ardèche with a passage under the Pont d'Arc in your free time!2 hours★ 4.9 (21 reviews)from €28Check availability
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc: Canoeing/kayaking down the Ardèche : 7 km route★ 4.6 (16 reviews)from €38Check availability
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc: Electric Bike Wine Tour & Tasting3 hours★ 4.4 (7 reviews)from €79Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
Affiliate links: Vallon-Pont-d-Arc.com earns a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. "Show live prices" loads the GetYourGuide module, which sets its own cookies (learn more (in French)).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to canoe the Ardèche?
June and September: the river is navigable and there are fewer people than in July and August. A Saint-Martin hire company quoted in this guide opens from March to early October.
Can you canoe the Ardèche in autumn?
Yes, as long as the river is not in flood. The autumn Cévennes rains can raise it within hours from a few cubic metres to more than 7,000 m³ per second; the descent is then banned by prefectural order.
What to do in Vallon when it rains?
Chauvet Cave 2, open all year, and the Aven d'Orgnac with its Prehistory Centre.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Prices and opening times change: confirm before you go.
- Wikipedia, Ardèche gorges: descent, floods (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc: summer population (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Ardèche Gorges joint authority, bivouac areas: stoves (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Ardèche Guide (department), Vallon to Sauze 32 km: opening period, accessed 9 November 2026
- Chauvet Cave 2, opening times and prices (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
