The Path of the Paddle

6th - 12th September 2026

Whilst learning to canoe several years ago, Ray came up with the excellent concept of learning to canoe in warmer water than we would normally experience in places like Wales or Scotland. This would give a little more enjoyment to learning rescue techniques and falling in.

Therefore, Ray decided Woodlore should teach people to canoe in Southern France. The Ardeche is a perfect environment in which to learn to canoe with warm weather, warm water and stunning 300m limestone cliff scenery.

During the course you will be introduced to the canoe by Ray, who will be assisted by our specialist instructor who is one of the most experienced canoe coaches in the area with plenty of local knowledge. The course will start with three preparatory days on different sections of the river learning strokes, rescues, swimming rapids, poling, lining and negotiating moving water. By day 4 you will be confident and fairly competent canoeists, and we make a two-day, 28km, expedition descent of the river, tackling exciting grade 2 rapids. We will spend the night in the gorge at a bivvy site with toilet, shower and BBQ facilities, within the National Park, where you may get the chance to see the local Wild Boar.

The range of wildlife in the region is impressive with sightings at our camp site alone including scorpions, snakes, praying mantis, frogs, lizards, and slow worms. Whilst in the gorge there are often sightings of eagles, kite and beaver.

The whole region is steeped in history with the area being famous for its prehistoric cave artwork and dolmen burial sites. This area also housed a number of resistance fighters or Maquis, which caused the Nazi occupation many problems during the Second World War. The wooded hills and deep inaccessible valleys made this a perfect area for such partisan operations, and the area is littered with pointers to this part of history.

During the course we will be giving you a robust introduction to flat and white water and also how to expedition using the canoe. Our aim will be to make you an efficient and self-contained tandem canoeist with both practical day sessions and evening lectures. You will be provided with an open canoe, paddles, a buoyancy aid, and a helmet and all other necessary canoe equipment for the duration of the course.

You will be staying in a private outdoors centre which is situated on the banks of the Ardèche river, a short drive away from the main town of Vallon Pont d’Arc. Your camping accommodation will be glamping style in chic shared canvas bell tents, which will be furnished with beds, all bed linen and an electricity power socket. Alternatively, you can bring your own tent.

This course is self-catered, so you will need to bring your own food. There is the option to enjoy the wide range of local delicacies available at nearby restaurants or there are also several supermarkets in the area if you prefer to purchase local produce and cook at the campsite in the evenings.

The outdoors centre is the perfect space to spend time in the evenings relaxing. There is a lounge and bar area with riverside views, a beach volleyball court, and a boules court. Of course, being on the riverbank means there is a private river beach, so you’re always a stone’s throw away from your next dip in the Ardèche’s refreshing water.

We are there in September to get the best of the water levels before it becomes very high later in the season and to avoid the crowds in July and August.

We will meet on the first evening at the outdoors centre, where you will have the chance to get to know the team and your fellow canoeists. You will also find out about the course and what to expect over the coming days.

The course will start at 18:00 on day 1 and finish at 12:00 on the final day.

Details:

You must be over 17 years old and able to swim at least 200m to join the course.

You will need to make your own travel arrangements to the outdoors centre once you have received the recommended travel details from us. Please ensure that you have a valid passport and GHIC/EHIC card when you travel.

France

We will issue joining instructions in plenty of time for you to make your travel arrangements.

In amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe and enjoying the warm crystal waters of the Ardeche gorge, you will learn to skilfully paddle and journey by canoe. Tackling both moving and flat water, you will paddle through and camp in this stunning national park as you are guided by Ray in the essential skills for travelling over water. An incredible experience in its own right, this course will provide you with the tools to start making your own journeys and memories in the most beautiful craft ever made. When canoeing in the Ardeche, one of the most dramatic river landscapes in Europe with 300 metres of sheer limestone cliffs rising over crystal-clear waters, to paddle through it is to see it from the only perspective that truly does it justice. Ray’s profound love for travelling by water bring added layers of meaning to every inch paddled. The first days are spent learning core strokes and how to handle the moving water along with other key safety techniques. By day four, the river is now your expedition route. Paddle through the gorge and spend time camping within the National Park. Once the summer crowds have died down and the water levels are just right, canoeing in the Ardeche is perfect for learning rescue techniques and how to tackle rapids. Experience memorable days on the water as you also observe local the wildlife across different stretches of the landscape. Canoeing in the Ardeche is a once in a lifetime experience.