All the information you need to enjoy the river

The nearest river is the Chassezac.

ℹ️ The Chassezac has carved deep, vertiginous gorges into the mountainside. These rock faces are a delight for lovers of steep cliffs and nature sports.

So to reconcile pleasure, safety & preservation, here are a few tips & tricks!

Regulated flow, preserved balance

⚖️ During the summer season, a number of dams provide low-water support on the Chassezac. This system guarantees a minimum flow for :

Maintain the ecological continuity of the watercourse,
Ensuring essential uses (drinking water, irrigation, recreation),
To enable canoeing in pleasant conditions.

Sailing in Natura 2000 & ENS* areas: quotas in high season

🚣 To preserve our exceptional territory, the Communauté de Communes du Pays des Vans en Cévennes has introduced a policy to regulate canoeing during the high season, from 14 July to 24 August.

The navigable Chassezac is mainly located in Natura 2000 and Espace Naturel Sensible zones, areas classified for their rare biodiversity, but also for their fragility. Due to an increase in pressure on the natural environment in recent decades, the local authorities have decided to introduce quotas on canoeing in the very high season. This policy of preserving the river will enable you to explore the Chassezac in the best possible conditions, while limiting your impact on the natural environment». (source: CDC Pays des Vans en Cévennes).

➡️ During this period, all sailors must be in possession of their ticket when disembarking.

➡️ Checks may be carried out by the relevant departments.

📍 There are two possibilities:

Canoe hire through a professional: the hire company registers them and issues their ticket.
Autonomous sailing: If you want to sail on your own, with your own equipment, they must register on the Tourist Office website ticket office (see link below) and contact a hire company to arrange access to a boarding area (there is no public landing stage on the Chassezac).

* ENS: Espaces Naturels Sensibles (sensitive natural areas)

Water quality: real-time analyses

The Ardèche stands out for the quality of its bathing water: analyses are carried out regularly in July and August, with the results published in real time.

A living river, worth preserving

💦 Our rivers are rich and dynamic natural environments. The fauna and flora are particularly diverse and adapted to both floods and droughts. Respecting these environments is everyone's business.

Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

Use eco-labelled suncare and hygiene products
Avoid swimming after heavy rain
Comply strictly with no-swimming zones and orders
Silence is golden if you don't want to disturb the local wildlife
Fires are banned to preserve nature
Pebble dams: a bad idea because they change the current, heat up the water, disrupt fish movement and destroy natural habitats.
Watch where you step so you don't step on anything
Opt for a zero waste picnic... Rivers are beautiful... as long as you don't leave anything behind!
And choose an environmentally-friendly sun cream

ℹ️ The Tourist Office is constantly informed of any incidents or orders concerning water quality. Please do not hesitate to contact them if necessary on 04 75 37 24 48.