This exciting family adventure holiday in the Ardèche, South of France, offers a great range of water sports and land based activities in spectacular surroundings.
Often referred to as the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’, the highlight of this family adventure holiday is paddling the world-famous Ardèche River Gorge in sit on top kayaks. This magical two-day river journey, with overnight bivvi, is led by a qualified team of instructors, who will teach you how to paddle and guide your family down the beautiful 24km stretch of river. An experience you will never forget!
New for 2023- we have added a new & exciting activity for 2023. This summer the programme now includes a high ropes course in the trees with lots of fun elements. Children over 12 will also be able to experience the via ferrata climbing challenges above the Chassezac river, along the cliff face which also has a passage through a cave. 9-11 year olds can do pretty much all of the activity except the final via ferrata, but they will do an alternative route.
Raft building to rope climbing
You will get to try your hand at a whole host of other adventurous activities throughout the week, from climbing to high ropes, as well as a chance to enjoy a day exploring the local area and the onsite swimming pool. There are some popular places to visit nearby including the Orgnac Caves and local towns such as Ruoms, Vallon and Aubenas.
Family Camping made easy...
Relax in the great outdoors in our family camping village set on a spacious campsite with on-site swimming pool and cafe/bar. Our family camping villages have been carefully designed to offer the best of the camping experience, without any of the hassle or discomfort. Our pre-erected tents are standing height with proper beds and hard flooring. Laid out in a horseshoe shape, with a central dining marquee, the family village offers a friendly, sociable space from which to enjoy your family adventure.
Excellent value from £659pp
This action packed family adventure holiday in the Ardeche, South of France is fully organised and includes all your activities, kit & instruction, full board accommodation with soft drinks & a glass of wine with your evening meal as well as evening entertainment and transport (when you select the coach holiday option). Let us take care of everything so you can relax and enjoy your all important family holiday.
This exciting family activity holiday programme offers a great selection of activities included in the price of your holiday, suited to age 9+ and delivered by our qualified team. Our activity programme in the Ardèche makes full use of this area of outstanding natural beauty, with many of the activities taking place in the local area close to the centre itself.
Sample Family Activity Programme
Day 01
Arrival Day
You’ll arrive at Camping la Savane in the afternoon and have a tour followed by a choice of activities or time to relax and swim in the pool before dinner.
In the evening you’ll get to enjoy an evening activity and get to know the other families staying in your village. The perfect start to your family holiday…
Arrival Day
You’ll arrive at Camping la Savane in the afternoon and have a tour followed by a choice of activities or time to relax and swim in the pool before dinner.
In the evening you’ll get to enjoy an evening activity and get to know the other families staying in your village. The perfect start to your family holiday…
Day 02
High Ropes in the Trees & Via Ferrata
Today you’ll enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the high ropes course in the trees with it’s various sections & challenges. Those who are age 12 + can move on to the via ferrata climbing challenges above the Chassezac river, along the cliff face which also has a passage through a cave. 9-12 year olds will do a slightly different route.
After a day of activities there’s time to relax before dinner and then our staff will meet you to discuss and plan your river trip the following day…
High Ropes in the Trees & Via Ferrata
Today you’ll enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the high ropes course in the trees with it’s various sections & challenges. Those who are age 12 + can move on to the via ferrata climbing challenges above the Chassezac river, along the cliff face which also has a passage through a cave. 9-12 year olds will do a slightly different route.
After a day of activities there’s time to relax before dinner and then our staff will meet you to discuss and plan your river trip the following day…
Day 03
Let the river adventure begin!
The real highlight of this family holiday is the two-day kayak journey down the magical Ardèche river, with overnight bivvi. On this 24km kayak trip you will encounter up to 25 rapids and spectacular scenery.
The night before, our staff will brief you on what to pack in your waterproof barrel and will talk you through the journey ahead.
On day one of the journey, you will learn how to paddle, enjoy a relaxed lunch by the side of the river and make your way to the bivvi site, where your family will sleep out under the stars with basic toilet & shower facilities available at the purpose built bivvi site.
Let the river adventure begin!
The real highlight of this family holiday is the two-day kayak journey down the magical Ardèche river, with overnight bivvi. On this 24km kayak trip you will encounter up to 25 rapids and spectacular scenery.
The night before, our staff will brief you on what to pack in your waterproof barrel and will talk you through the journey ahead.
On day one of the journey, you will learn how to paddle, enjoy a relaxed lunch by the side of the river and make your way to the bivvi site, where your family will sleep out under the stars with basic toilet & shower facilities available at the purpose built bivvi site.
Day 04
The Ardeche descent continues…
Today you will continue your journey down the beautiful Ardeche river, spending another day fine tuning your paddling skills and enjoying the atmosphere of the gorge. Your coach will be there to meet you at the end, where you will be taken back to Camping la Savane for some time to relax by the pool before dinner. The evening will be spent exploring the local market in Ruoms where there is usually a great atmosphere & a chance to pick up some souvenirs.
The Ardeche descent continues…
Today you will continue your journey down the beautiful Ardeche river, spending another day fine tuning your paddling skills and enjoying the atmosphere of the gorge. Your coach will be there to meet you at the end, where you will be taken back to Camping la Savane for some time to relax by the pool before dinner. The evening will be spent exploring the local market in Ruoms where there is usually a great atmosphere & a chance to pick up some souvenirs.
Day 05
Free day to relax and explore
After an action packed few days, you’ll be glad to spend the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the nearby towns for a spot of shopping and sightseeing…
Ruoms is within walking distance of the centre or if you have a car or are travelling with Acorn by coach you may wish to explore the pretty town of Vallon or visit the Orgnac Caves (entry charges will apply here).
After dinner, it’s time for a disco!
Free day to relax and explore
After an action packed few days, you’ll be glad to spend the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the nearby towns for a spot of shopping and sightseeing…
Ruoms is within walking distance of the centre or if you have a car or are travelling with Acorn by coach you may wish to explore the pretty town of Vallon or visit the Orgnac Caves (entry charges will apply here).
After dinner, it’s time for a disco!
Today you’ll spend the morning at the centre enjoying our extensive high ropes course as well as trying your hands at some fun team building activities…
The final activity of the morning is climbing.
Check out is at 2pm in the afternoon where you’ll either travel by coach back to the UK or depart via your own arrangements (self-drive).
Your activities today…
Nightline/Mission Impossible/High Ropes & Climbing
Today you’ll spend the morning at the centre enjoying our extensive high ropes course as well as trying your hands at some fun team building activities…
The final activity of the morning is climbing.
Check out is at 2pm in the afternoon where you’ll either travel by coach back to the UK or depart via your own arrangements (self-drive).
Camping la Savane is located close to the pretty town of Ruoms and is a family friendly, spacious campsite with excellent facilities.
The campsite offers you a comfortable space to relax, dine and socialise. We offer all the pleasures of camping in the great outdoors, without any of the hassle. Everything is set up and organised for you, ready for you to enjoy as soon as you arrive.
Camping La Savane has a large on-site swimming pool and the campsite is nestled amongst the trees on the banks of two rivers and is ideally located for an adventure holiday, with many activities either onsite or within walking distance.
As part of the two day river descent, you will stay overnight at a National Park-run Bivvi site with the other families on your holiday and the Acorn River Team. Our staff will cook you a hot evening meal and provide entertainment. There are basic toilet and shower facilities at the site and you will be sleeping on a tarpaulin on the floor with a sleeping mat so you can experience the magic of `sleeping under the stars`. Under cover provisions are made available should there be wet weather. During the Ardeche descent, our team will serve lunch by the side of the river which is typically baguettes, crisps and fruit. In the evening, they will cook a meal at the Bivvi site and will also serve breakfast the following morning. Waterproof barrels are provided for your kayak journey so that you can keep your belongings safe and dry and sleeping mats and tarpaulins are also provided by Acorn.
The Acorn Family Village at Camping La Savane
Your family will be accommodated in one of our private family `tented villages`within our private Camping La Savane campsite. The Acorn family village offers a relaxed environment, with each family having their own space and a social area to dine and get to know other campers. There are up to sixteen tents in each village and a central marquee for dining and socialising.
Tent options
Families of four or more are offered a primary and a standard tent. Primary tents offer two raised beds with mattresses, hard flooring, electricity, lighting, a fridge and wardrobe. Standard tents offer up to four raised beds with mattresses, hard flooring and a lantern. Families of fewer than four people are offered a standard tent and can upgrade to a primary tent or add an additional tent for a small extra charge (subject to availability).
Outdoor areas
In the centre of the village is a volleyball area, where the children often play in free time and there is outdoor seating, allowing your family to relax and soak up the sunshine in free time.
Facilities
Facilities here include a swimming pool, cafe/bar, volleyball areas, games room, shop, WI-FI and two large toilet and shower blocks. There is a beach at the far end of the camp and the local town of Ruoms is within walking distance and offers a range of local amenities.
Meals
Your meals are included in the price of your holiday and freshly prepared by our onsite catering team. You will be served meals in your marquee and our menus have been carefully designed to offer you tasty, nutritious food that will give you plenty of energy for adventure! We provide a glass of wine with your evening meal and if you wish, you can enjoy more drinks in the on-site bar should you require additional refreshments.
Snacks and additional refreshments can be purchased at the on-site shop or in the cafe/bar by the swimming pool.
Location
The Ardèche is a department in the Rhone Alps region of south-central France, named after its river. With its world-famous Ardèche river gorges and Vallon Pont D’arc (a superb natural arch 60m wide and 54m high), holidays here are very enjoyable. Our Adventure Camp is close to the traditional town of Ruoms and is within easy reach of Vallon and Aubenas (the market centre for the whole of Southern France). A popular attraction nearby is the Orgnac Caves, which are the same height as the Niagara Falls.
Travelling by coach is the most affordable and convenient way to travel as a family to our Ardèche Adventure Camp. Let us do all the organising for you while you sit back, relax and finally get time to read your book! Unlike flying, there are less baggage restrictions when travelling by coach making this family holiday that bit easier.
Families particularly like travelling by coach to our camps because of the opportunity to meet everyone in the village before you even arrive. Your executive coach will include comfortable seating, air conditioning, DVD player and WC.
The coach journey from Calais to the Ardèche takes approximately 13 hours, allowing for rest breaks and a breakfast stop. Your ferry crossing on the outbound journey will be scheduled so that you are able to buy an evening meal on the ferry, or some prefer to take their own packed dinner and snacks.
Coach Pick-up Points
Manchester Picadilly Train Station
Birmingham International Train Station
London Victoria Coach Station
Dover
We have selected the following convenient pick-up locations, based on where the majority of our customers have favoured in previous years. Please let us know your preference on booking and the timings will be sent to you as soon as ferry bookings have been confirmed.
We also offer self-drive holidays, allowing you to make your own way there and perhaps extend your holiday, should you wish. There will be some activities where you will need a car to transport your family to specific locations. If you are flying to the Ardèche Adventure Camp, we strongly recommend that you hire a car for the duration of your stay to ensure you are able to get to and from the camp and enjoy all of the activities as well explore the area on your free day.
Having a car gives you and your family a little extra freedom and allows you to extend your stay in France and fill the car up with French goodies on the way home if taking your own car 🙂
Fly-Drive
NEAREST AIRPORTS:
Nimes (2hrs from camp) or Lyon (2.5hrs from camp)
1. Check below for your dates and availability
2. Click `Book Now` and then complete the online family booking form
3. Pay a deposit of £200 via our payment system, a secure way to book online
Alternatively please contact us or call 01384 398 870
It was awesome! The children have said that it was by far the best holiday we have had as a family. Staff were fun and friendly and encouraged us all to push ourselves. The timetable was well planned and kept us all busy. Lovely having it all planned for us. Brilliant!
REBECCA GEDDES
Just back home from a week at the Ardeche centre. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough. First class food, even freshly prepared on the river bank. Brilliant. Instructors very knowledgeable and brimming with enthusiasm. Steve and Lauren caving – great. Rich( dick) homer kayaking super. And Becky on the decent – brilliant. Thanks again. Kids in bed, me soaking in the bath! Cheers Paul( the daft bald fireman).
P Rowlands
First time been with acorn at their Normandy campsite, it was BRILLIANT!! We both loved it , activities were great , food really tasty , staff fantastic . Met a great bunch of people.
C R Granger
My 5 year old daughter is still, 3 weeks later, talking about the paddleboard instructor (he looked a bit like David Walliams!!) who put her in the water to splash around, whilst I got chance to paddleboard. Awesome day! Thanks to him please, as otherwise I would have had to leave the activity as I did with kayaking. Much appreciated! Thanks to everyone. Faultless holiday. Perfect.
J Safari
If you want happy, exhausted children then try this holiday. There was an excellent mix of activities and evening entertainment that we would not change and left my son wanting more
Mr Parsons
2024 Holidays Now Available to Book
We have a fantastic selection of overseas adventure holidays to choose from including our Maltese Adventure, Mediterranean Adventure on the Costa Brava, Ardeche Adventure in the South of France and Dordogne Adventure in France
The question on everyone's mind is, should I book a holiday now or should I wait?
Here's why you can book a holiday with us now, if you want to...(I think we all need something to look forward to right now!):
At Acorn Adventure, we specialise in Single Parent Adventure Holidays and whilst single parent families often select from all of our holidays, we also offer a few holidays that are exclusive to single parents which we know is important to some of you...
