Your bivouac in the Gorges de l’Ardèche
The descents of 31 km in 2 days and l’Aventure 36 km in 2 days include 1 night on a bivouac, only place authorized to spend the night in the nature reserve of the Gorges de l’Ardèche.
If you book one of this 2 descents, you will have to book your place on the bivouac before booking your canoe trip.
There are 2 bivouacs : Gaud and Gournier. These landscaped places give you the opportunity to spend the night under the stars before resuming your descent the next day.
On the course, the bivouac of Gaud is situated before the bivouac of Gournier.
Opening periods of the bivouacs
- Bivouac of Gaud : open every Saturday in June and every day in July/August.
- Bivouac of Gournier : open every day from April to September.
Which bivouac do I choose?
From April to September, outside of July/August and the Saturdays in June :
- Only the bivouac of Gournier is open (the 2nd bivouac), you do not have to make a choice.
In July/August and the Saturdays in June :
- For the descent of 31 km in 2 days :
- Departure in the morning : choose the bivouac of Gournier
- Departure in the afternoon : choose the bivouac of Gaud
- For the descent l’Aventure 36 km in 2 days :
- Choose the bivouac of Gaud, this is in the middle of the course.
Our advice : Navigating is permitted up to 8pm. Make sure you will be arrving on the bivouac between 6 and 7 pm, to have the time you need to get installed and enjoy this unique moment.
What to plan for your stay on the bivouac
For the night
- Tent / hammock
- Sleeping bag
- Floor mats
Tent and matrass rental : if you do not have the equipment that you need for a night on the bivouac or of you want to save some space on your canoe, it is possible to rent the necessary equipment. You can choose this option while booking the places on the bivouac.
To know : The barrel that we lend you has a diameter of 38 cm and hight of 50 cm (volume 55 liters). Be advised that some equipment may not fit in the barrel.
Our advice : verifiy your equipment before booking the bivouac.
For your meals and snacks
- 1 liter of water / person (drinking water available on the bivouac)
- Cereal bars
- Fruit
- 2 pick nicks (for day 1 and for day 2)
- 1 hot meal (meat to grill, salads, sandwiches…)
- 1 breakfast (tea and coffee for sale on the bivouac)
- Lighter and fire starters (if you want to barbecue)
- Cups, plates and cutlery
- Gas heater and pan (if you do not want to barbecue)
Drinks for sale : Coffee, tea and juices are for sale in the evenings and mornings (from May to September), 2 € / drink. Take some money with you, only cash payment.
Alcohol : The use and detaining of alcohol is prohibited in the Gorges de l’Ardèche.
Our advice : If you want to barbecue, think about freezing the meat the night before.
For your comfort
- Toiletry bag
- Towel
- First Aid kit
- Torch
- Toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Dry clothing
- Sweater or jacket for the night
Attention : no electrical power on the bivouac
At your disposal on the bivouac
- Drinking water
- Cold showers
- Washbasin
- Toilets
- Pick nick tables
- Barbecues, grills and charcoal
- Waste bins
