Frequently asked Questions

Location and Travel

Where is Adventure Ardèche based?
Our riverside base can be found at the Gateway to the Gorges de l’Ardèche. It is a private site, catering for a maximum of 50 guests. Base du Cros, 2035 Rte du Chassel, 07150 Salavas, France
What are my travel options from the UK?

Scroll down this page for further advice on travelling to the Ardèche.

What is the weather like in the Ardèche?

Summer in the Ardeche And the Alps regions are usually hot and dry with plenty of sunshine. Although rain is unlikely it does occur but rarely lasts long. We do get the occasional summer storm (with impressive thunder and lightning) but these usually pass quickly.

What are the local amenities, shops and services?

Wherever you choose to stay there will be a good selection of shops, supermarkets and restaurants close by. During the summer in France there will be traditional markets in the local towns.

What is the post-Brexit Duty Free allowance?
Since Brexit we have seen the return of duty free allowance. This means that there are now restrictions on the volume of alcohol and tobacco you can bring back from France. These are listed below:
•42 litres of beer
•18 litres (24 standard bottles) of still wine
•4 litres of spirits OR 9 litres (12 bottles) of sparkling wine, fortified wine or any alcoholic beverage less than 22% ABV
•200 cigarettes OR
•100 cigarillos OR
•50 cigars OR
•250g tobacco OR
•200 sticks of tobacco for heating
•or any proportional combination of the above

What Do I Need To Bring?

Do I need to provide my own travel insurance?
Yes. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that covers you for the duration of your stay and the activities you will be participating in.
What do I need to pack for the River descents?
For the Ardèche river descent and all water activities you will need to bring:
•A change of clothing and dry footwear to wear during Bivi (camp).
•A refillable water bottle (your guides will be carrying water on their boats for you).
•Suncream, minimum factor 30. Water-resistant.The limestone gorge walls reflect the sunlight, so sun protection is essential.
•If you own a lightweight rash vest with SPF protection, this is a great choice of top to wear on the river.
•Closed-toe shoes to wear on the river. They will get wet.
•Insect repellant.
•A towel and toiletries.
•Snacks, but do remember, you will have a hearty river lunch both days and you will also have a BBQ on the Bivi campsite.
•A sleeping bag is always nice, but as we said above we can provide one for you.
What do I need to pack for other activities (e.g. treetop adventure, walking)?
•It is best to dress for the day’s weather. Always have a long sleeve top available, as it can offer protection from the sun, and from the cold.
•Sensible footwear for the activities is always the best option. Flip Flops, sliders, and anything with a high heel are not sensible. Be aware that your footwear could end up getting dirty, or wet, or damaged.
•Water and snacks
•Suncream, minimum factor 30.
Do I need to bring my own equipment for any of the activities?

No. We will provide all technical and safety equipment for the activities and if you are camping with us we can also provide sleeping bags for those wanting to travel light.

Activities FAQ

Do I need to have any previous experience?

Not at all! We have guided thousands of novices down the river. Learning a new skill is half the fun!

What is the minimum age?

To get the most from your holiday and all the activities we suggest a minimum age of 7. However, we realise that all children are different and we are happy to discuss options with you if you have younger children.

I can't swim! Can I still do the river descent?

During the descent of the Ardeche river you will be wearing a buoyancy aid whenever you are near the water. This will keep you afloat should you fall in.
We are able to look after non-swimmers but we do ask you to let us know if you are not confident around water so our instructors can give you special help if needed.

Do I have to take part in all the activities?

All of our activities are suitable for moderately fit people and can be done at a level that suits you.
If there is a part of the holiday that you really don’t want to do then we wont force you. You can always come a long to watch, take photos and offer encouragement to others.
Please feel free to contact us if there is any aspect of the holiday you would like to discuss.
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How high is the Treetops Adventure (high ropes) course?

The Treetop Adventure is part of our Multi-Activity holidays. This activity is made up of a number of individual courses. The height of each course gradually increases as you progress through the adventure.
The highest platform on the course is around 20 metres off the ground, but if you wish to attempt this section of course, you don’t have to.

Do your instructors and guides speak English?

Yes! All our staff, instructors and guides are either fluent or native english speakers. Unless you are on our language immersion holidays where the staff will be fluent in your chosen language.

What meals do Adventure Ardèche provide?

For our 2-day river descent we will provide 2 lunches plus evening meal (BBQ) and breakfast at the bivouac.
During our 5-day activity-only packages we provide 4 lunches (on the full activity days) plus evening meal (BBQ) and breakfast during the Ardéche river descent. And a final BBQ on your last evening.
We are happy to cater for those with special dietary requirements so please let us know in advance if there is anything you don’t eat.
We are also happy to recommend some fantastic local restaurants where you can sample some outstanding local cuisine.
*Your dinner on the night of your kayak expedition will be barbecue-style, without alcohol. Alcohol is banned within the Ardèche Gorge nature reserve and on campsites within the Gorge.

Do you cater for people with learning and/or physical disabilities?

We are passionate about sharing our incredible local landscape and adventure activities with as many individuals as possible. Please get in touch with us to discuss specific requirements.

Booking FAQ

Cancellation Policy
Our standard cancellation terms are as follows:
•8 or more weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 50% refunded
•2-8 weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 25% refunded
•Less than two weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday: 10% refunded
Cancellations due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you have to cancel your holiday with us due to travel restrictions caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19), you can get in touch with us to arrange a full refund, or to reschedule your holiday for a later date at no extra cost.
If you or a person in your party becomes ill before or during your holiday and you/they are unable to travel or participate in activities, you should seek reimbursement from from your Travel Insurance provider. Please ensure that your travel insurance covers Coronavirus.

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

  • Why not make your journey as relaxing as possible and Catch the Eurostar from London to Paris, then the TGV to Avignon, or the SNCF train to Montelimar. for the Ardèche
 

FLY DIRECT

  • Lyon from Birmingham, Bristol, London (Luton), Manchester
  • Avignon from Birmingham, Southampton
  • Montpellier from London (Gatwick, Luton)
  • Marseille from London (Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow, Stansted), Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin
  • Nimes from London (Luton, Stansted), Liverpool
  • Bezieres from London and Manchester

CAR HIRE

We highly recommend that you hire a car to get the most out of your Ardèche adventure. By having a vehicle at your disposal, you will be free to explore beyond the Ardèche Adventure site. Public transport is very limited, so a car is essential in order for you to experience the surrounding natural monuments, scenery, and picturesque medieval towns.

Self Drive

We are located around 40 minutes from the A7 Autoroute de Soleil so can easily be reached by car. If you are travelling from the UK, we recommend that you allow at least 10 hours to drive from the French ports.

Base du Cros, 2035 Rte du Chassel, 07150 Salavas, France

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