Description:
INTRODUCTION
Ardeche Adventures has been conceived by Phil Gasson and Mike Smith to provide a
bespoke and professional service, offering exhilarating, challenging and educational activity Holidays for Schools.

The Ardeche is often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon' of Europe, and is well known not only for its spectacular scenery, but also for its excellent and varied outdoor pursuits. The River itself winds its way through steep canyon walls, 26km of which is cut off from the gorge road high above, making this historically a popular region for canoeing, climbing, cycling and walking. We offer a multi activity program that not only offers your group the physical challenges, but also the chance to experience local French culture, food, natural history, geology and of course, language.

The activities we include are a three day canoeing descent of the Ardeche Gorge with overnight bivouac, mountain biking, high ropes, climbing and abseiling, as well as an excursion to one of the many and diverse attractions of this amazing area of France.
Our Ardeche Adventures site is located in the picturesque area of Planzolles in the Cevenne Mountain's, and is fully equipped with modern chalets, restaurant area, a large pool, tennis court and even mini golf!
The location is surrounded by beautiful pine forests and wildlife, making it a perfect area for woodland walks and treks, and of course mountain biking.
Our aim is to make the experience as much of a French adventure as possible, and although all of our activities will be instructed in English, we employ the services of local instructors as well as our own hand picked professionals from the UK.

We hope pupils will learn and absorb language and culture through our activities.
All ingredients for our meals are fresh and sourced locally! (We will consult your party leader on specific dietary and nutritional requirements before you arrive and supply you with the menu for the week). We believe that we are in the unique position of being able to offer hand tailored and exclusive trips to groups, managed and organized by ourselves from initial contact with party leaders all the way to being there with you on the river! Your group will have looked forward to this trip for the whole year and we intend to make the experience the very best it can be. Our challenge is to go beyond your expectations.

Typical Itinerary
Saturday - You will travel by coach from your school, sleepily overnight to our site in the Ardeche.

Sunday - When you arrive at our Ardeche Adventures site you are greeted by staff who guide you to your
chalets. Once settled in we have a Staff introduction and tour, including the fire drill.
After a freshly prepared lunch and a little rest the group will take our swim test in the pool, after this the group is free to just chill and/or make use of the many site facilities, such as the Tennis court, Petanque/Bowles court, mini golf, or volleyball. After dinner we will even organize a little trek if anybody is up for blowing away the cobwebs and stretching their legs, it's a chance to really take in the wonderful scenery and abundance
of nature in this area, any twitchers pack your binoculars!

Monday - This is the1st day of canoeing.
In preparation for the full descent the group will be given an initiation session at the river, before completing the first 7 km of the descent. During this mini descent they will learn basic river safety and how to control their boats.
The first day has the thrill of the rapids as well as paddling through the famous Pont D'Arc itself, just a taste of things to come! Before returning to the campsite we visit the small but famous town of Vallon, a little shopping and ice cream and then its back to site for an evening meal, after a river talk and barrel pack an early night!

Tuesday - Day 2 of descent.
After an early breakfast, the group returns to pick up from where we left off, now entering the gorge proper, fully equipped for the two day descent. Its no turning back from here and once on our way you really begin to appreciate the
magnitude and beauty of the Ardeche gorge! As well as negotiating the many rapids along the way we have time to swim and have lunch on the rivers edge.
By late afternoon we arrive at the bivouac site, prepare our sleeping area and light the BBQ. The site is fully equipped with a shower block and toilets, and loo roll too, very civilized! After eating, and a few river tales, its lights out when the sun drops, just the inky black sky and its millions of stars to gaze at as we slip off to sleep.

Wednesday - Day 3 of descent
After sleeping out under the stars we rise to the smell of hot chocolate and croissants lovingly prepared by our instructors. Once we have loaded our barrels we set of for the final day of the descent ready to face more rapids and stunning scenery, oh, and nudists! (Thought it would be best to warn you!)
We arrive, (exhausted), at the bottom of the gorge!
All the group has to do is get themselves on the coach, we deal with the rest and meet you
back at the site for a slap up meal, Tammy does a mean curry if your interested! Over the three days we will have paddled 31 km, most normal beings are ready for a bit of a lay down, but we realize that there is always more energy left, so a French pub style quiz is the answer, a few clues to the questions will have been dropped during the descent, so keep your
ears peeled!

Thursday - We are in such a fantastic location and it would be a crime not to take advantage of what is right on our doorstep! Climbing/ Abseiling and Mountain Biking.
Groups can spend half a day mountain biking above the Chassezac Gorge through the picturesque woodland. For the other half of the day the group will be amongst the scenic crags in the limestone cliffs. These provide the perfect environment for climbing and abseiling with the encouragement and guidance from experienced instructors. After dinner there will be time in the evening to prepare some events for the final evening!

Friday - Custom Day. This day is a day where the party leader gets to decide what they want their group to do, it's completely up to you!
From literally lazing by the pool all day to a full list of activities, on site games and competitions to off site activities such as high ropes. Or excursions, there is a varied and fantastic choice of excursions in this area, spectacular cave visits, water parks, Bamboo farm and even a crocodile sanctuary as well as the many famous Roman sites. You decide and we'll make it happen.
Whatever you do, you must be back for the final evenings entertainment! The Cabaret and Awards ceremony, followed by the final night disco where you get to see Phil and Mike do their world renowned, and much admired disco dancing.
(winners of the 1986 Downham working mens club freestyle pairs category)!

Saturday - Wow, the last day! Just time for a bit of shopping in the beautiful medieval town of Les Vans, its market day, and full of colour, and smells! Just wonderful, stock up on your saucisson and garlic, and for the adults, I'm sure there is room for a bottle or two, that's if we have not managed to give you a sneaky wine cave visit during the week!
After lunch its packing and a tearful goodbye!
Your coach will return you home for overnight travel back to your school!

Costs - inclusive (Based on min of 40 persons, plus eight adults free)
Email now for the best deals - ardecheadventures@yahoo.co.uk

SAFETY
Ardeche Adventures are responsible for overall safety of every family whilst they
are in our care. We operate to the highest standards and conform to European National governing bodies' code of practices.
We work to National Governing Body ratios (one qualified instructor to six
participants).
We pride ourselves on our selection of staff as we hand pick and train our teams
personally. Our instructors are chosen ultimately for their maturity and professionalism, but we insist that they are blessed with a sense of adventure and fun. We operate a policy of transparency, and all staff/instructor details will be available to our guests upon request.

Note: Although some of the activities may be instructed by French instructors all
activities will be supervised by UK instructors at all times.