Canoe

Canoeing and kayaking to discover the Gard and Herault valleys

Let yourself slide down the line of the Hérault, on a course adapted to your desires!

Don’t forget that Hérault is first of all a powerful river! Come for a day of adventure to make the most of the azure color of the water by floating along the meanders, from the Cévennes heights to the Gard Valley and the Hérault Valley, close to Montpellier. Supplied with a paddle, a safety jacket, a waterproof box and a 1 or 2 seat boats (canoe or kayak), you will drift with the stream in some scenic landscapes, at the mercy of meanders and whirlpools. Our guides will take you on different routes adapted to the age and the level of the participants: fun currents, fast rapids, wild landscape, all along the river course and the Hérault Valley.

Discovery Canoe

The Discovery Course is accessible to children from 6 years old. It offers a quiet descent, ideal for family outings. There are several swimming spots that are not easily accessible by car. The clear water of the river and the green nature invite you to relax.

Canoe family route

From19€

Quiet ride down drifting on a canoe, this family route of the Hérault Gorges will offer its aquatic Gard and Cévennes charms. Should you want to cool down, a lot of beaches are available all along this river section.

Intensity Canoe

The Adrenaline course is a mix of sensations and relaxation. It is accessible from the age of 12 and promises superb rocky landscapes. At first, have fun in the small rapids and challenge the more technical passages, then finish the course gently and enjoy the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

Canoe escape

From23€

Just a stone’s throw from Montpellier, should you want to paddle and slide with a canoe or a kayak on the azure water, come to the Hérault river. You will be amazed by the enchanting landscape. The entire ride river in the Hérault Gorges is a mix between adrenaline route and discovery route.

Exceptional Canoe

The Exception course is particularly suitable for adventure sports enthusiasts and thrill seekers. Opt for descents with rapids, swirls, and dynamic passages. Get up to speed and enjoy the freedom! You can combine your activity with swimming to refresh yourself and even take a break for a picnic.

Canoe sport route

From18€

Kayak Hérault: Amateurs speed, swirls and other waves, this trip is for you! Let yourself go at full speed in the gorges of the Hérault near the Cevennes with your boat in canoe or kayak on your own of rythm! 

What is Canoe?

Canoeing is an outdoor activity that is practiced by boat propelled by a paddle. It is an adventure sport that can be practiced as a leisure activity or in competition with calm, lively and maritime waters.

To enjoy and navigate serenely, it is important to master the basics of the technique, to be in good physical condition and to know the route if you do not have an instructor to guide you.

What are the differences between canoeing and kayaking?

There are 3 main differences:

  • The paddle: in canoeing, a single paddle with a single blade is used. At the other end of the shaft is a handle called an “olive”. It is therefore rather short. The kayak paddle is double and has two blades. It is longer and measures between 1.80 and 2.30 metres.
  • The position: in a kayak you sit on your buttocks, whereas in a canoe you sit on your knees or on a bench.
  • The origins: the canoe comes from the Inuit and the kayak from the American Indians.

Despite these major differences, canoes and kayaks are similar boats; they are similar in shape, they are steered with a paddle and they can accommodate one or two people. Above all, canoes and kayaks offer the possibility to multiply the sensations!

Schedule of a Canoe activity

The canoeing adventure begins on board the shuttle bus that will take you to the starting point of the course. Equipped with a paddle, a life jacket, a waterproof canister, and a boat for one or two people, you will set off to discover the Hérault gorges. 

Depending on the route you choose, you should allow between 1.5 and 4 hours for the descent. At the end of the trip, you will get back on the shuttle that will take you back to your vehicle. Our instructors from the Hérault valley will advise you to ensure the activity runs smoothly, most of the time the descent is done independently.

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