Activities

Two days canoeing in the gorges: prepare for the night in Gaud or Gournier

By Le Mas d'Eylieux teamPublished on 13 August 2026Updated on 6 October 20263 min

Kayaks on the river under the Pont d’Arc arch

To spend two days on the river, choose the route with the rental company then book the night. Gaud and Gournier are the two bivouac areas authorized in the reserve. Arriving with a tent does not give you the right to sleep on another beach.

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The canoe and the night prepare together

The starting point determines the distance and the distribution of the two days. A departure from Vallon and a departure from Chames do not correspond to the same route. Explain your experience and the composition of the group to the rental company; our descent guide helps to compare formulas.

Check who books the night, what the canoe price includes, shuttles and equipment. Keep the bivouac confirmation accessible in waterproof protection. The tourist office reservation service can be reached at 04 75 88 00 41 ; consult its official page.

Official information from 2026 indicate Gournier open from 4 April to 26 September, and Gaud on Saturdays in June then from 1 July to 29 August. These seasons end in 6 October. For a new year, re-consult the calendar rather than repeating these dates.

The budget and the bag for the night

The scale 2026 gives, per adult and per night, 9,50 to 16,50 € in Gournier and 14,50 to 16,50 € to Gaud, depending on the period. It also presents the children/youth categories and the rentals available. These are dated markers, distinct from the price of the canoe. Tent or groundsheet are not automatically included.

Prepare the bed corresponding to your reservation, warm clothing, a lamp, meals, water and a bag to collect the waste. Ask about the supply possibilities and the equipment actually available before departure. Don't count on a camping grocery store.

The SGGA specifies the rules for bivouacs : no alcohol, tranquility from 22:00, waste reported. Stoves are prohibited from 1 July to 30 September and strongly discouraged out of season; plan cold meals. Fires are prohibited in the reserve.

An outing to choose according to the group

All participants must know how to swim, wear the required vest and closed shoes. Children under seven years old require certified supervision; from seven to less than twelve years old, an accompanying adult or a certified supervisor. The lessor confirms its other conditions. For a first family outing, watch routes with children before choosing two days.

Flow and weather may modify or prevent navigation. Clarify the cancellation conditions, assistance points and return times. If the bivouacs are full, shift the dates or choose a day trip: don't plan a wild night.

Before or after, a bed at the Mas

The Mas gîtes in Saint-Montan can be used as accommodation before or after the activity, depending on available dates. Plan the trip to the exact departure and then the shuttle back to your car. The rental of the Mas and the descent remain separate reservations.

Double bed and light linen in a bedroom of Côté Source. — A room at the Mas for the night before or after the outing, depending on availability.

Practical questions

Is the bivouac included in the price of the canoe?

It depends on the rental company's offer. Confirm who reserves the night, the chosen area, the bedding, the equipment and the shuttles. Keep your bivouac confirmation; wild camping is prohibited in the reserve.

Can we use a Gaud or Gournier stove?

The SGGA indicates a ban from 1er July to 30 September and strongly advises against stoves out of season. Fires are prohibited in the reserve. Prepare cold meals and review current instructions before departure.